The Most Common Makeup Mistakes

The right makeup colors applied in the right amount will defiantly take your look from dull to dazzling. But the wrong moves can give the impression that you're in the dark about makeup or that you put your makeup on in the dark! Here's what to learn to be in the know & how to avoid the most common makeup mistakes.

You already know some of the cardinal makeup sins - like sleeping with your makeup on (clogs pores!) & sharing your makeup (you'll also be sharing bacteria!). But some other makeup mistakes are a little less obvious. The most dreadful mistake is when the base of the lower eyelashes is traced with a thick eyeliner pencil & not blended in. This not only looks unsophisticated but it also makes eyes look much smaller.

And here are six other faux pas to avoid when applying makeup.

Foundation that’s Too Dark or Too Light: When using, it's imperative that you wear a shade that matches your skin tone exactly. Otherwise, you risk ending up with a face a different shade from the rest of your body, not to mention ending up with the telltale foundation line around the chin that screams you're a makeup novice.

When choosing the right foundation, it's best to go to a makeup counter where you can test three different shades - one you think is the closest match, then one a shade lighter & one a shade darker. Dab the color on your cheekbones & jaw line to get the most accurate assessment. Pick the one that blends effortlessly into your skin (it should disappear on your face). And don't forget that you may have to switch foundation seasonally.

Makeup That Settles Into Lines: Liquid foundation can sometimes slip into pores, highlighting wrinkles & making skin look blotchy. To prevent this, avoid applying a heavy moisturizer beneath your foundation. If you have oily skin, you may not even need to use a moisturizer. Too much foundation or concealer can also cause the makeup to seep into lines.

After applying a light moisturizer (if you need it), let it absorb into your skin for a few minutes before moving on to your makeup. Then use a wedge sponge, which soaks up any extra color, to blend an even layer of foundation onto your skin. No matter what your skin type, a matte foundation is a good choice if you want to prevent slippage into lines & pores. Finally, set your makeup with translucent powder.

Too Much Blush: Beautiful, rosy cheeks can give you a healthy & youthful glow but only if you go easy on the color. Shade that looks too bright on your face will attract the wrong kind of attention.  If you tend to be heavy-handed in this area, choose a sheer. Blush in a pink or peachy shade - these are more goof-proof. And apply with a large blush brush in an upward motion only from the apples of your cheeks to your temples. If you're using a mineral   or loose-powder blush, remember to tap off the excess before applying.

If you notice that you’ve still got too much blush, use a cotton round or cotton ball to gently remove the extra color. Or add a light dusting of translucent powder to soften the look. Many makeup experts are never without a velour powder puff as it's great for toning down the color of blush if you've accidentally applied too much.

Clumpy Mascara: Wearing is a no-fail way to open up your eyes & give your entire face a glam touch. But that can all backfire if you have clumpy, spidery lashes. This can happen for one of two reasons:

You've applied too much mascara or your formula has dried out (maybe its past prime or you've let too much air get in the tube by not closing it properly). A rule of thumb is that mascara should be tossed after four months.

If the mascara has gone bad, you know what you have to do (buy a new tube). If there's nothing wrong with your mascara, then it's your technique you'll have to tweak.To keep clumps at bay, always blot the wand with a tissue before applying. Avoid wiping the wand on the rim of the tube - otherwise, you’ll be creating clumps that may end up on your lashes. When applying, place the wand at the base of your lashes & wiggle it from side to side until you reach the tips. Repeat this process only one or two times. Then use a lash comb to separate any stuck-together lashes..

Visible Lip Liner: When it comes to applying lip liner, some women  make the mistake of choosing a shade that's much darker than their lipstick. The point of lip liner isn’t to stand out on its own - it’s to help define your lips, to make your lipstick last throughout the day & to keep it from Bleeding into fine lines (see the next tip). The easy remedy is to choose a lip liner either the exact same shade as your lip color - or in a neutral color.

Lipstick Feathering:  As your age, your natural lip line begins to fade & fine lines start to form. This often causes your lip color (particularly sheer or creamy lipsticks & lip glosses) to be more prone to bleeding & feathering. Your first line of defense is to trace the edges of your mouth with a lip liner (the same color as your lipstick or in a skin-toned shade).  After applying lipstick, blot with a tissue. If you find your lip color is still too slippery, consider switching to matte or semi-matte lipsticks. Using semi-permanent lip stains is another way to prevent feathering.

Few more tips:

• Never ever rub your eyes. To remove the most stubborn eye makeup, soak a cotton pad with a dual-phase eye makeup remover for at least 30 seconds.

• Use earthy tones to make it more wearable.

• To combat puffy eyes, sweep a light color all over the eyelid & a darker color on the crease -sounds clichéd but it works!

• When it comes to blending, it is all about practice. Make sure you use a fluffy brush & blend with the tip in a feathery, windshield motion.