For every makeup success you can achieve, there’s a potential mistake lurking that can bring down your look. Makeup is a powerful tool — and the difference between a beautiful outcome that draws attention to your features and makes you look and feel refreshed and an outcome that can drag down your features and look harsh can be the result of an additional layer of eyeliner or a lack of good skincare prep beforehand. Sometimes it doesn’t take much to get your makeup to work wonders for you, but it also doesn’t take much for that same makeup product to provide a less-than-stellar result.
There are a few common makeup mistakes that many of us have made (because, let’s face it: they’re simple to make). But these particular mistakes also have the ability to age you, which is probably the opposite effect you’d like from your makeup. Here are six common makeup mistakes and ways you can correct them.
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Prepping Your Skin With Oily Products
Give yourself a pat on the back for knowing that your best makeup look starts with a good skincare routine. Keeping your skin well moisturized is key if you want your concealer and foundation to slide on and stay put. But there’s a difference between hydrated and oily skin. And one of the biggest mistakes people make when applying makeup is starting their routine with after applying oily products to the skin.
“The biggest mistakes I see mature women making that contribute to foundation settling into lines is prepping the skin with products that are too rich and oily,” says Makeup Artist Azesha Ramcharan. “The products never fully absorb, leave a film or get released by the skin as the day goes on. These oils then mix with the foundation causing it to slide and settle into wrinkles.”
Ramcharan recommends using hydrating skincare with ingredients that attract moisture to the skin like hyaluronic acid, glycerin and floral/herbal extracts, while avoiding oily moisturizers and sunscreens under makeup.
Not Using Color Corrector
If the dark spots on your skin have a strong discoloration, a concealer alone might not be enough, warns Lindsey Chastain, a co-founder of Pucker Up Beauty. “Using a color corrector first can make a significant difference,” Chastain says. “Before applying your concealer, use a color corrector to neutralize the color of the dark spot. For example, peach or orange color correctors work well for blue or purple-toned dark spots. Use a color corrector that is opposite the color of your dark spot on the color wheel.”
Choosing Matte Foundations
Foundation reminder number one: always apply your foundation before concealer (you may find you need less concealer as a result). Reminder number two: matte formulas aren’t the friendliest choice for mature or dry skin.
“I see a lot of mature women using formulas that are just too matte which contributes to that dreaded cakey look,” Ramcharan says. “Choose foundation with a soft dewy, satin or natural finish rather than matte. Matte foundations can look dry and accentuate lines on mature skin. Stick to tinted moisturizer/serum or medium coverage foundation applied with a damp sponge, fingers or a buffing brush.”
Applying A Too-Light Concealer
Some assume that the lighter your concealer, the more capable it is of concealing dark circles and other marks on the face. But using a concealer that's too light can highlight dark spots instead of hiding them, Chastain notes, and the concealer should actually match your skin tone or be one shade lighter. Also: don’t neglect setting powder, which helps your concealer stay in place so that it doesn’t smudge or crease.
Coating Your Bottom Waterline With Dark Eyeliner
A little dark eyeliner on your top lid, or maybe even a feline flick, can look sophisticated and have the effect of lifting your eye and making your face look more youthful. But beware of the bottom waterline eyeliner, a trend that comes and goes. Sometimes following trends like these leads you straight into a makeup situation that can be aging. Bottom waterline eyeliner has the effect of dragging the eye downward and making it look more droopy — proceed with caution.
Lining Lips With A Too-Dark Liner
Another recent trend, dark lip liner that contrasts with lighter lipstick is designed to make the lips look more pouty and full. But this can have the reverse effect and make lips look thinner. A better option is to find a liner that matches your lips or lipstick so that you seamlessly create a fuller-looking pout. Add a pop of gloss in the middle to really bring your lips into full attention.
Avoiding these common makeup mistakes and swapping them for simple solutions will instantly upgrade your makeup look and make you look and feel your best.
