5 Common Makeup Mistakes That Are Spoiling Your Appearance

Today, I want to share some ideas I have about makeup mistakes that can really detract from your overall looks.

These common makeup mistakes are based on techniques and principles of art rather than the products you use.

I believe that paying attention to these details will prevent you from ruining your makeup and leave you more satisfied with how you look.

Tools and materials: 

• Eyebrow makeup
• Concealer
• Blush
• Foundation
• Contouring products
• Ice pack
• Single blade razor

1. Poor posture

We often tend to apply our makeup while leaning towards the mirror or sitting crookedly on a chair.

This can cause problems when you’re doing your eyebrows or applying concealer or blush.

Trying to fill in your eyebrows without an even posture is guaranteed to get you an asymmetric brow result.

Sit upright with your shoulders back and the best posture you can manage while you mark the peak of your brow and the inner and outer edges.

This will ensure they’re even when you fill them in.

Place your concealer or blush while sitting in the same posture.

Symmetry is one of the core principles of beauty and these are the key products that you want to apply symmetrically for a great result. 

2. Using contrast to highlight imperfections

Makeup is art but it’s art applied to a living being. That means that we have to take into account imperfections like dry skin and work with what we have.

The first step when applying foundation to dry or flaky skin is not to use a buffing motion, as this will only make the problem more obvious and bring up dry skin that you didn’t even know you had. 

Adding powder over the top only accentuates the problem. 

A contrast of textures draws attention to both the elements that create the contrast.

Using shiny, metallic makeup near to or over dry skin is a definite no-no. 

This applies both to the lips and eyes, or any part of your face where dry skin is present.

3. Applying contouring products over swollen areas

The next issue is using any kind of product to create shadows and applying it over facial swelling.

Using lymphatic drainage methods like facial massage or just holding an ice pack over the puffy areas first reveals the facial structure underneath and makes placing your product more effective.

Use the blade at a 45 degree angle to your skin with a gentle scraping motion over a small area at a time.

Don’t scrape over active acne marks and be aware that dermaplaning can irritate the skin, so you don’t want to apply makeup straight afterwards.

When you do this consistently and properly, your skin will glow with and without makeup.

5. Compressing the eyes

This is probably not a mistake you will find listed elsewhere but being aware of it can make a big difference to your overall look.

When you apply eyeshadow that is deeper than your skin tone, you’re compressing the area by adding dark shading to it.

If your hairstyle is also flat on top, you make your eyes look even smaller.

This is a question of proportion. The same eye makeup can look great with a more voluminous hairstyle.

Or if you want to keep your hair flat on top, open up your eyes with a softer eyeshadow to create more balance.