makeup mistakes

10 Deadly Makeup Mistakes You Didn’t Know You Were Making

Common makeup mistakes that you are not aware of can definitely affect the polished look that you are striving for. Some of them are minor, some of them can totally ruin your look. Even though it is said that there are no makeup rules, there certainly are mistakes that you need to avoid. 

We have listed them for you so you won’t have to.

Here, have a short makeup check + how to avoid these makeup boo-boos.

#1. Choosing the wrong foundation shade

makeup mistakes

Ever seen those uneven borders around somebody’s face that looks like a failed attempt at drag makeup? Yes, that person put the wrong foundation on their face. Choosing the wrong foundation shade is by far one of the most common makeup mistakes. Literally, any makeup mistake can be associated with the foundation.

If your shade is too dark, it will make you look older. If it is too light, then you will barely notice it.  Generally, our skin tones come in 3 categories: light, medium, and deep.

Caucasians have light skin tone, while Indians for example (even though it has subcategories like beige, honey, tan colors) have medium skin tone. Deep skin tone is associated with African people, even though again, there are many sub colors within that skin tone as well. 

How to fix this makeup mistake?

Apart from your skin tone, finding out your skin undertone – skin color underneath the surface is also important. There are 3 of them too – cool, neutral, and cool.

How to find out what your skin undertone is? Do a wrist test, check the color of your veins. If they are purple or blue, then you have a cool undertone.

If they are olive or green-toned, then it is a warm undertone. In case you can’t identify your undertone and it is the same color as your skin or a mix of both warm and cool colors, then you have a neutral undertone.  

Read more on foundations: Quick Foundation Basics: What is the Right Foundation for You?

#2. Using dirty makeup brushes – UGH!

makeup mistakes

Putting on makeup starts from using brushes. But only with clean makeup brushes. Just like your skin, makeup brushes also need to be taken care of. Using dirty makeup brushes will lead to acne breakouts, skin irritation, and other skin complications. 

How to fix it?

Make sure to clean your makeup brushes once a week. You can use liquid soap or shampoo so they can be properly cleaned. You can also use a conditioner, later on, to make sure the bristles are soft to the touch.

  1. First, wet the bristles lightly with lukewarm water.
  2. Then, put an adequate amount of your liquid cleanser of shampoo on your palm and start to gently massage the bristles against your palms.
  3. Rinse them well and dry with a clean towel. It’s better to let them dry upside down. Also, don’t forget to add a few drops of tea tree oil or lavender oil for that extra antibacterial effect. 

#3. Skipping lip liners 

unrecognizable woman wearing lip liner
Photo by Rafael Martino on Pexels.com

This part of your makeup is a double-edged sword. On one hand, not using it at all will make your lips look not defined so they will appear even thinner. On the other hand, applying the wrong color and creating a harsh border along your lips can do no good. 

How to fix this?

Make sure your lip liner matches the color of the lipstick you have picked. Don’t use colors that are too dark or too light. Also, don’t go overboard with contouring, simply define the edges of your mouth by following the natural contours of your lips.

One technique you can use is drawing the outline and filling your lips in with the same lip liner.(of course use a color that matches your lipstick) Then, go over the lips with the lipstick just to guarantee that all colors are blended. 

#4. Applying Makeup Directly On Dry Skin 

makeup mistakes

In general, it is already known that you have to put on a moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated. So, when you somehow forget to moisturize before doing your makeup, or you simply don’t believe in moisturizing, it is a big no-no.

Applying foundation or any type of powder on a dry face will lead to a cracked, dull-looking face, and trust me, nobody wants that. 

How to fix it?

Just get a moisturizer! Whether you have a normal, oily, or dry skin type, moisturizing and giving your face that dose of hydration is a total must. Makeup will comfortably blend with hydrated skin and will definitely lock the product in. Check out our blog post on choosing the right moisturizer.

#5. Using Mascara the Wrong Way 

woman applying mascara
Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com

Applying too many coats of mascara can clump up your lashes, limit it to only 2 coats if possible. Using mascara on lower lashes can be a pain in the neck if you overdo the coating. Generally, it is hard to remove waterproof mascara and I personally don’t like the feeling of it. 

How to fix it?

This is one of those rookie makeup mistakes, but it is definitely fixable. Use upward motion when you use it on upper lashes, but be careful with lower lashes as they tend to clump up more easily.

The expiration date of a regular mascara is 3-6 months but that doesn’t mean you have to throw it away when it gets a bit thicker. Just add two or three drops of saline solution to your mascara tube while stirring the wand. You will notice that it will prevent it from drying out and will add nice moisture to the formula. 

#6. Too Much Powder… in Wrong Places 

makeup mistakes

Let’s get one thing straight – the role of a setting powder is, yes, setting the makeup and mattifying it. Using it just the right amount is important, otherwise, you will end up with a cakey, sad look. A little bit of foundation and powder goes a long way. 

How to fix it? 

First thing first, don’t layer too many products on your face. You don’t need two different foundations or powders to look amazing.

Choose a light, translucent powder that won’t look heavy on your face. As from where to start, start from the back of your cheekbones working your way up. Then cover the remaining areas like your cheekbones, forehead, etc.

#7. Clown Cheeks … Blushing Too Much?

makeup mistakes
Photo by cottonbro from Pexels

We have all overdone the blushing game at some point in our life. When it comes to using blush, less is more. Always start with a little amount of blush and build up later on if needed. It is much harder to undo excessive blush than dealing with a little blush. 

How to fix it?

Apply a little amount on your brush and do your best to blend so it won’t leave any stripes on your face. Blush is supposed to look natural on your face, so matching blush color with your complexion is key.

Usually, foundation or powder brushes work for applying blush as well. It is also good to use a blush type that is right for your skin; if you have oily skin, use a cream blush + a little bit of powder blush to set the blush and make it last longer. If your skin is on the dry side, cream blush or even a cheek tint will blend nicely. 

#8. Sleeping with Makeup on: One of the Worst Makeup Mistakes

ahtziri lagarde o8zGwqP8iAo unsplash
Photo by unsplash.com/@ahtziri

A little party never killed anybody, but sleeping the party makeup on from the night before can definitely kill your skin. This is where bad habits meet bad makeup mistakes. Not removing your makeup will cause all the bacteria, dirt, makeup residue from the night before will clog your pores and lead to acne breakouts. 

How to fix it?

For some, this is more than makeup mistakes, it is mainly a bad habit. Be kind to your skin and stick to cleansing it. Use at least micellar water to remove makeup if you are too tired from partying. Of course, it is better to do double cleansing, using a cleansing oil first followed by your hydrating cleanser

#9. Skipping Face and Eyeshadow Primers Altogether 

makeup mistakes

You might be a primer person, or a no primer person. However, a smudged look and smeared look is nobody’s wish. What does a primer do? A primer creates a layer between makeup and the surface of your skin.

Therefore, it makes sure that the makeup adheres to the skin for a long period of time.  Unfortunately, some of us still make one of those makeup mistakes and skip the primer.

The same goes for eye shadow primers. We all know the disappointing feeling of seeing your eyeshadow basically bleed out your eye corners at the end of a long day. Using an eyeshadow primer will smooth out your eyelids, preventing it from creating a line. 

How to fix it?

If there is a moisturizer that can replace a primer and is a tried and true product, by no means, go with that. Some people prefer using it instead of a primer. But make sure that it does the job well.  Get an eyeshadow primer that can stick around for 24 hours or so. 

#10. Using Expired Makeup Products 

beauty blush brush color
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Every makeup product has an expiration date. They are usually at the back of the product shown in months (M) with an image of an open jar. 

Usually, it will be from 12 months to 24 months, depending on the product ingredient list. Lipsticks, lip gloss, powders, foundation, and concealers will last up to 12-18 months, whereas mascaras and eyeliners will last for 6 months or so. 

How to fix this makeup mistake? 

Usually, if makeup is expired, it will smell bad, liquid consistencies such as creams or foundations will separate and change their color.

Toss them away asap if you notice any of these, do it immediately! Using an expired product can lead to you getting infections, irritations, and germ growth.

If you are confused as to when you have actually started using a certain product, mark down the date with a sticker at the bottom of the product so you won’t forget it. 

On a final note

Most of us make fundamental makeup mistakes when we are new to the game. Some makeup mistakes are really about bad skincare habits.

We really hope we could help you discover some makeup mistakes and tips and tricks on how to fix them.

When it comes to fixing common makeup mistakes, practice really does make perfect.

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