5 Makeup Application Mistakes To Avoid

 

From basics like lipstick to concealer and base, we all have our methods for applying our makeup. Unfortunately, like any method, we tend to fall into a routine that might include a couple of makeup no-nos. 

 

That is more the case when we are in a rush. And to be honest, we all are in a rush pretty much all of the time. Fortunately, you can cover a couple of bases to help make sure that your makeup routine doesn't lead you awry. 

 

Foundation Is Fundamental

One of the basic things one has to choose, yet we all get it wrong the first time. The wrong foundation sets up your entire look for a failure. First, you have the unsightly neck-line to worry about, a clear giveaway that undermines even the best efforts. In addition, the type of foundation product is also important; you'll apply liquid foundation differently to clay foundation and other product types. 

 

Then there is also its effect on how the rest of your makeup blends and appears on your skin. A shade that is even slightly too light for your skin tone is jarring, while a shade that is too dark for your tone is aging. Any time the tone is off, you look like you have on an elaborate mask.

 

For a perfect blend, match the foundation to your lower jawline. That should ensure that you have the right foundation for your tone. To make sure that you have the right temperature, in other words, a warm or cool tone, check the veins on your wrist. If they are purple, it's cool tones for you, whereas a greener color calls for warm tones. 

 

Foundation Comes Before Concealer

Concealer is the favorite secret weapon in most of our makeup kits. But unfortunately, many of us often apply it in the wrong order in our makeup routine. It is both tempting and understandable why it feels right to apply concealer first before your foundation, but it's not the correct way. 

 

After applying your foundation, apply concealer as necessary, using products scarcely. Another important tip is to choose a concealer that is one shade lighter than your skin tone. Remember, concealer is heavier in pigments than your foundation is.

 

That makes for great coverage in dark areas and an overall brighter look in shaded areas, but used excessively, concealer becomes obvious, standing out from the rest of your foundation. Once done, use a setting powder to mattify the look. 

 

The Appropriate Height For Powder

There are likely several powders in your arsenal. Contour powder, blush, and bronzer can all leave you looking unnatural or even 'clownish' if incorrectly applied. Even subtle issues when applying powders can leave your face looking harsh or irregular. 

 

The best method is to start applying the powder to the back of the cheekbone and gently edge forward to the highest part of the cheekbone. Remember that there is a certain degree of blend that you want to achieve without overwhelming the emphasis of the applied powder. 

 

The powder can also seem off against a face, otherwise lacking any of that specific tone. It is an invaluable pro tip to take the little powder left on the brush and lightly brush it on your forehead and cheekbones. 

 

Concerned Eyebrows

You have likely seen this happen many times. A friend tries something new with makeup, and their eyebrows suddenly arch like they are on an intravenous botox drip! The thing is, they have probably let their eyebrow arches run wild because of bad advice.

 

What's more, you have likely done the very same thing. We all have. Every face is unique, and a different face shape carries a different brow arch better. The best method is to ensure that the angularity of your brow is the opposite of your face.

 

In other words, a soft, round face can pull off a higher and more angular arch than a thinner, more angular face. Finding the exact balance takes time, but as long as you compare your brow to your face shape rather than the rest of your makeup, you will find the arch sweet spot for your face.

 

Neglecting Lip Lines

When one says it, it is obvious that your lip line should be well defined. Unfortunately, it is easy to forget to maintain the right contrast level in practice. That is more true with nudes, but even bold colors can fade around the lip lines.

 

An ill-defined lip line can do one of two things. It can make your lips look substantially thinner than they are, or it creates an unflattering gradient from the inside of your lip to the edge. Neither is the desired outcome, so take care to highlight your lip lines enough.

 

The correct way to line the lip is to focus outside the natural edge of your lip, just outside what you might call the natural line. Make certain that your liner extends to the corners. Make sure that the color matches your lipstick unless you are aiming for a deliberate contrast, which might require subtle blending.