Make up is art. And so making mistakes when applying makeup when you’re a beginner is inevitable. Here are the top six mixtakes that people make and how to avoid them:
1. The obvious: wearing the wrong shade of foundation
I’m really not one to judge when it comes to wearing the wrong foundation. For over a year, I was wearing NARS sheer glow in shade light four. When I finally braved it into town with no makeup on to have a skin match test, the shop assistant recommended light one. Fair to say, that being three shades off my match for over a year was more than a little skin colour miscalculation. While my face resembled that of a ‘TOWIE’ cast member’s, the rest of my body was practically translucent. Upon receiving my January student loan instalment, I used my newfound (and short term wealth) to invest in the right shade foundation and powder. Much like myself, many girls are in denial about their skin tone (especially us typical English roses who long for a sun-kissed glow).
However, according to beauty blogger Sarah Carrillo, “foundation isn’t supposed to give your skin a bit of a tan.” After all we have bronzer for that! Instead, “it’s supposed to create a perfect, smooth complexion and cover-up any imperfections. This is why you should always use a foundation which blends in with your skin.” It’s important you take the time to find the right shade, which will perfectly compliment your skin tone. This can be a pretty overwhelming prospect! After all MAC alone have over 60 different shades of foundation. However, not to worry, most make up kiosks now offer a skin match service, so getting a professional opinion is easy.
2. Wearing the wrong type of foundation!
This is another frustrating, yet very common make up mistake. Getting your foundation wrong can leave you looking like a clown, unpolished, shiny or, worst of all, cakey! Everyone has different skin types and unfortunately, this is something that you’ll obviously have to bare in mind when looking to purchase. Cream, powder, liquid, stick – what’s the right formula for you? Not to worry! Blogger Jessica Matlin has us covered …
- Dry Skin à Liquid, stick or a hydrating powder. According to Matlin, liquid and sticks often have a “creamy (moisturizing) consistency, and hydrating powders are blended with ingredients that deliver moisture to the skin and offer more coverage than regular pressed powders.”
- Oily skin à Oil-free liquid or powder foundation. Oil free liquid foundations, according to cosmetic chemist Ni’Kita Wilson, “contain powders that absorb oil, leaving you with a matte, smooth finish.” Matlin further recommends mineral make up for oily skin as the dry particles absorb moisture. (Bare mineral powder is a particularly good shout for oily skin).
- Combination skin à powder is probably best as you can apply it strategically. Matlin recommends that you simply distribute more of the oil-absorbing make up where you need it and less where you don’t. Just be sure to avoid ending up with visible lines.
Again, coming to terms with your skin type and finding the ideal type of foundation to best compliment you can be long. Massive shout out to Bobbi Brown on this one! I always find their makeup artists to be very attentive and they really take the time to try and find the right shade and style so you can walk away satisfied.
3. There is such thing as too much highlighter!
As a highlight enthusiast, it pains me to have to admit it that unfortunately, you can go overboard on ‘luminsing’ products. The last few years have seen a surge in the appeal of highlighting products. Using luminising products can give your skin a fresh, glowing look. However, too much highlight can leave you looking (quite frankly) weird. As someone who is naturally drawn to anything shiny or sparkly, it’s pretty hard to pin point just how much highlight is enough. But highlighter isn’t supposed to be smothered all over your face. Highlighter may well be brighter than your future but, by no means should it be brighter than UV lighting! Make sure you are only applying illuminating products to areas such as your cheekbones, inner eye corners and brow bone to give your face a natural boosting glow.
4. Overdrawing your lip liner!
We’ve all tried the little trick of lining just outside your natural lip to make your lips look bigger – Thanks Kylie! There are two reasons as to why I disagree with this fad. One, it’s much easier said than done – one wrong move and you’ll inevitably end up look like Pamela Anderson. Very few women managed to get it right and seldom do women actually pull it off. Secondly, it contradicts the idea that make up is supposed to enhance what you have, not completely reshape and alter your features. As much as I love my makeup, I will always stand by the fact that you should love your natural features and work with what you’ve got, using make up as an enhancer and not necessarily as a cover up.
5. Applying foundation to dry skin!
Honestly, why would you commit such a heinous crime against makeup!?! Applying foundation to dry and flaky skin looks seriously horrendous! As Carrillo states, “the foundation will only emphasise the flakes by sitting on top of them instead of blending with your skin.” The Solution: you need to make sure that you’re exfoliate and moisturise your skin daily. The smoother and more nourished your skin is the better the finish of your foundation.
6. Forgoing primer
I understand that primer can seem like yet another expense which many would consider unnecessary. However, don’t knock its importance too quickly! Using a good quality primer such as Laura Geller’s beauty spackle makeup primer or Smash Box’s photo finish primer can help your foundation glide on flawlessly, evening out your skin tone, decreasing the look of blemishes and creating a soft canvas for the rest of your make up.
Edited by Jenine Tudtud
Sources:
http://www.oprah.com/style/How-to-Choose-and-Use-the-Right-Foundation
http://www.totalbeauty.com/content/gallery/makeup-mistakes-youre-making/p92032/page3
http://www.lorensworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/shutterstock_16689…
https://giphy.com/gifs/hair-face-look-9l1H0QcJpa9Ow
https://giphy.com/gifs/makeup-zMw9zKas26Qy4
https://giphy.com/gifs/make-up-w3uiW6J5sn94Y/links
https://giphy.com/gifs/make-up-lipstick-doing-ptXvxOlF1VsOc/links