It's easy to slip into a beauty routine and not really think about what you're doing, picking up bad habits and assuming your methods are best practice. Like driving a car and forgetting all the manoeuvres you needed to pass the exam, it's easy to forget all those good habits and find yourself slipping into beauty madness. Although I'd like to think of myself as a makeup angel, realistically I'm as bad as the rest of you and often have to check myself when I'm doing something naughty. But what about the blunders you don't even know you're making? Here are ten of the most common makeup mistakes we all make and how you can rectify them without having a meltdown.
1. NOT CLEANING YOUR MAKEUP BRUSHES REGULARLY
Yep, it's the cardinal sin of all makeup masters. Keeping your makeup tools in tip top condition ensures your application is flawless, as well as helping to avoid pesky breakouts or pimples. Every time you use a brush you transfer not only pigment, but bacteria that breeds within these cosy warm environments. One of the biggest causes of problem skin is dirty tools, so cleaning your brushes regularly will minimise the risk of spots popping up, as well as helping to create the makeup look you desire. You should be deep cleaning once a week if you use your tools on a daily basis, spritzing with a bacterial spray after every use. Make it part of your weekly regime and it'll become a natural task to undertake.
2. AVOIDING A PRIMER UNDER YOUR BASE
If you don't own at least one makeup primer, then you're really missing out on the secret to a flawless and long-wearing base. Many people skip this step because they're confused as to how to use a primer, what benefits it can bring or even if it's worth the investment - but it 100% definitely is. Primers can help makeup to last (it both provides a surface on which your foundation can grip on to and creates a barrier between skin and makeup that helps to reduce oiliness,) blur fine lines, conceal imperfections and reduce the appearance of pores. Invest in a velvety smooth primer and use it daily over skincare and under your foundation base, taking time to apply it under the eyes and on the chin too.
3. MATCHING FOUNDATION USING THE BACK OF YOUR HAND
Although we naturally apply makeup products onto the back of our hands the first time we play with them, this area of skin can often be up to three shades darker than that of our face. Don't try matching foundation to your neck either, as the skin is in a constant shadow so can be a shade lighter or darker than your actual tone. You want to match your foundation to your chest, as this is what will catch the eye and provide a noticeable difference if the shade isn't quite right. Make sure you test any new foundation shade in natural light too (taking a sample home if necessary) to ensure a perfect result.
4. APPLYING CONCEALER OVER THE WHOLE UNDEREYE AREA
Another mistake I'm guilty of myself, especially on days when I'm feeling like I could've done with an extra hour or three in bed, but one that makes a big detrimental difference. Instead of plastering on the concealer and covering the whole undereye area, apply in an upside down triangle shape to help reflect the light and create the illusion of brightness. Rather than drawing attention to this area or being a whole shade lighter than the rest of your face, the result will brighten your overall look and help to take the focus away from dark circles.
5. NOT SETTING YOUR MAKEUP WITH A POWDER
When it comes to finishing a look and setting makeup in place, there's nothing more equipped to do the job than a dusting of transparent powder. It's always been a staple in my makeup bag, well before I started using foundation or investing in heavy duty concealer - it's a great way of removing shine, creating a uniformed finish and making me feel 'done'. Don't worry about creating a flat or cakey look; a little goes a long way and helps prevent any products from budging. If your makeup has a tendency to move, you could benefit from a compact powder to touch-up on the go too. It may have an old fashioned reputation, but a little powder can make the world of difference even in 2016.
6. APPLYING BRONZER TO YOUR WHOLE FACE
Unless you want to look like an extra on Geordie Shore, avoid plastering bronzer all over your face as a way of giving yourself a little tan or ensuring your 'summer ready'. Instead, a shade that's only a few tones darker than your natural base should be buffed into the cheeks and along the nose where the sun naturally hits. Delicately swipe over the forehead and on the chin, helping to warm the complexion without creating a one dimensional colour result. The key is to make it look like you're a little sunkissed, not to make it look like you've been frying on a sun bed for the last two days.
7. CURLING LASHES AFTER YOU’VE APPLIED MASCARA
Ouch. I've done this one myself too, but attempting to curl lashes when you've already applied your mascara is really one of the major mistakes. Not only will it mess up the perfect flutter you've spent time creating, but the product will stick to the curler and potentially damage the lashes. It's easy to pull whole chunks out from your eye, as well as creating an unsightly dent that gives the game away. If you're a fan of an eyelash curler I would definitely recommend curling bare lashes and applying a few coats over the top, creating a wide-eyed look without a dent in sight.
8. WEARING A WATERPROOF MASCARA EVERY DAY
Nobody needs waterproof mascara all the time - it's been created to avoid smudging when we're exposed to moisture, but unless you're in a ridiculously humid climate or intend on crying your eyes out at The Notebook, a regular mascara will suffice. Waterproof formulas can be incredibly drying and are much harder to remove, meaning they can potentially cause the condition of lashes to deteriorate; you don't want to scrub off fifty lashes every time you remove your makeup, so oft for a gentler formula on a daily basis instead.
9. PUMPING THE MASCARA TUBE WHEN YOU APPLY
How many times have you done this in your lifetime? It's easy to think this is the best way of getting product out of the tube, but it's actually pumping air *in* to the tube and causing the formula to dry out. This means it won't last as long, will cause unsightly clumps and may even cause harvest bacteria which could irritate your eyes. If you do this with a brand new mascara too, the reason it feels slightly different is because you're drying out the whole tube before you've had a chance to really feel the benefit. Stop the pumping immediately!
10. NOT THROWING OUT MAKEUP REGULARLY
It's European law that all cosmetics products feature a 'PAO' (or Period After Opening) number on their packaging, making it clear how long they're safe for use after they've been initially opened. This ranges from six months for mascaras, twelve months for foundations and eighteen months for powdered formulations, but the important thing is to regularly clear out your products and make room for new ones. If you've been using the same foundation for the last three years, or can't remember when you actually bought that eyeshadow palette you only use on special occasions, throw it away. Your face will thank you for it.
Are you guilty of making any of these makeup mistakes?
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Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Clik here to view.
1. NOT CLEANING YOUR MAKEUP BRUSHES REGULARLY
Yep, it's the cardinal sin of all makeup masters. Keeping your makeup tools in tip top condition ensures your application is flawless, as well as helping to avoid pesky breakouts or pimples. Every time you use a brush you transfer not only pigment, but bacteria that breeds within these cosy warm environments. One of the biggest causes of problem skin is dirty tools, so cleaning your brushes regularly will minimise the risk of spots popping up, as well as helping to create the makeup look you desire. You should be deep cleaning once a week if you use your tools on a daily basis, spritzing with a bacterial spray after every use. Make it part of your weekly regime and it'll become a natural task to undertake.
2. AVOIDING A PRIMER UNDER YOUR BASE
If you don't own at least one makeup primer, then you're really missing out on the secret to a flawless and long-wearing base. Many people skip this step because they're confused as to how to use a primer, what benefits it can bring or even if it's worth the investment - but it 100% definitely is. Primers can help makeup to last (it both provides a surface on which your foundation can grip on to and creates a barrier between skin and makeup that helps to reduce oiliness,) blur fine lines, conceal imperfections and reduce the appearance of pores. Invest in a velvety smooth primer and use it daily over skincare and under your foundation base, taking time to apply it under the eyes and on the chin too.
3. MATCHING FOUNDATION USING THE BACK OF YOUR HAND
Although we naturally apply makeup products onto the back of our hands the first time we play with them, this area of skin can often be up to three shades darker than that of our face. Don't try matching foundation to your neck either, as the skin is in a constant shadow so can be a shade lighter or darker than your actual tone. You want to match your foundation to your chest, as this is what will catch the eye and provide a noticeable difference if the shade isn't quite right. Make sure you test any new foundation shade in natural light too (taking a sample home if necessary) to ensure a perfect result.
4. APPLYING CONCEALER OVER THE WHOLE UNDEREYE AREA
Another mistake I'm guilty of myself, especially on days when I'm feeling like I could've done with an extra hour or three in bed, but one that makes a big detrimental difference. Instead of plastering on the concealer and covering the whole undereye area, apply in an upside down triangle shape to help reflect the light and create the illusion of brightness. Rather than drawing attention to this area or being a whole shade lighter than the rest of your face, the result will brighten your overall look and help to take the focus away from dark circles.
5. NOT SETTING YOUR MAKEUP WITH A POWDER
When it comes to finishing a look and setting makeup in place, there's nothing more equipped to do the job than a dusting of transparent powder. It's always been a staple in my makeup bag, well before I started using foundation or investing in heavy duty concealer - it's a great way of removing shine, creating a uniformed finish and making me feel 'done'. Don't worry about creating a flat or cakey look; a little goes a long way and helps prevent any products from budging. If your makeup has a tendency to move, you could benefit from a compact powder to touch-up on the go too. It may have an old fashioned reputation, but a little powder can make the world of difference even in 2016.
6. APPLYING BRONZER TO YOUR WHOLE FACE
Unless you want to look like an extra on Geordie Shore, avoid plastering bronzer all over your face as a way of giving yourself a little tan or ensuring your 'summer ready'. Instead, a shade that's only a few tones darker than your natural base should be buffed into the cheeks and along the nose where the sun naturally hits. Delicately swipe over the forehead and on the chin, helping to warm the complexion without creating a one dimensional colour result. The key is to make it look like you're a little sunkissed, not to make it look like you've been frying on a sun bed for the last two days.
7. CURLING LASHES AFTER YOU’VE APPLIED MASCARA
Ouch. I've done this one myself too, but attempting to curl lashes when you've already applied your mascara is really one of the major mistakes. Not only will it mess up the perfect flutter you've spent time creating, but the product will stick to the curler and potentially damage the lashes. It's easy to pull whole chunks out from your eye, as well as creating an unsightly dent that gives the game away. If you're a fan of an eyelash curler I would definitely recommend curling bare lashes and applying a few coats over the top, creating a wide-eyed look without a dent in sight.
8. WEARING A WATERPROOF MASCARA EVERY DAY
Nobody needs waterproof mascara all the time - it's been created to avoid smudging when we're exposed to moisture, but unless you're in a ridiculously humid climate or intend on crying your eyes out at The Notebook, a regular mascara will suffice. Waterproof formulas can be incredibly drying and are much harder to remove, meaning they can potentially cause the condition of lashes to deteriorate; you don't want to scrub off fifty lashes every time you remove your makeup, so oft for a gentler formula on a daily basis instead.
9. PUMPING THE MASCARA TUBE WHEN YOU APPLY
How many times have you done this in your lifetime? It's easy to think this is the best way of getting product out of the tube, but it's actually pumping air *in* to the tube and causing the formula to dry out. This means it won't last as long, will cause unsightly clumps and may even cause harvest bacteria which could irritate your eyes. If you do this with a brand new mascara too, the reason it feels slightly different is because you're drying out the whole tube before you've had a chance to really feel the benefit. Stop the pumping immediately!
10. NOT THROWING OUT MAKEUP REGULARLY
It's European law that all cosmetics products feature a 'PAO' (or Period After Opening) number on their packaging, making it clear how long they're safe for use after they've been initially opened. This ranges from six months for mascaras, twelve months for foundations and eighteen months for powdered formulations, but the important thing is to regularly clear out your products and make room for new ones. If you've been using the same foundation for the last three years, or can't remember when you actually bought that eyeshadow palette you only use on special occasions, throw it away. Your face will thank you for it.
Are you guilty of making any of these makeup mistakes?
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Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.