Makeup Mistakes You're Making Without Even Realizing It (And How to Fix Them)
Let's be real—makeup is supposed to be enjoyable, not maddening. But even we beauty specialists fall into some grating habits when it comes to makeup that sabotage our look without our even realizing it. The bright side? A few adjustments can equate to a dramatic difference in the look, texture, and staying power of your makeup.
In this tutorial, we'll break down some of the most common makeup mistakes you're making without even knowing it—and how to quickly fix them with tips from experts. So if you've ever asked yourself why your makeup won't last or look its best, keep reading.
1. Skipping Skincare Before Makeup
The Mistake: Skipping over prepping your skin before foundation application.
The Fix: Truly glowing, hydrated skin is the ultimate base for any makeup look. If you don't get your skin prepped to perfection, even the best products will appear cakey, parched, or simply slide right on off.
What You Need: A calming cleanser, hydrating moisturizer, and maybe a glow-enhancing mask to leave your skin silky smooth before makeup.
Tip: Shop our prep skincare products to get your makeup on like a dream.
2. Wearing the Wrong Foundation Shade or Formula
The Error: Selecting a shade that's too light, too dark, or off-undertone—or the wrong formula for your skin type.
The Solution: Match foundation to the jawline in natural light, and make sure to pick a formula that suits your skin—matte foundations for oily types, hydrating BB creams for dry types, and combo-friendly medium coverage formulas.
Lost? Our foundation shades look good on every skin color and type—check them out!
3. Too Much Product
The Mistake: Thinking that more product equals more coverage.
The Fix: It's better to build up slowly than to apply too much. Apply thin layers of product with a damp blending brush or makeup sponge and blend thoroughly.
This goes for foundation, concealer, and even powder—less is best for a natural, long-lasting finish.
4. Forgetting to Blend into the Neck
The Mistake: Flawless foundation on the face, but a jarring line at the jaw.
The Fix: Always blend your foundation or bronzer a bit into your neck and hairline to prevent the infamous makeup mask. This creates a flawless, natural look.
We offer convenient-blending formulas that render it a breeze.
5. Failure to Set Your Makeup Properly
The Blemish: Skipping setting powder or setting spray, especially if you have combination or oily skin.
The Solution: Keep everything in place with a light dust of translucent powder or a spritz of long-wear setting spray. This keeps creasing, fading, and shine at noon at bay.
Are you looking for a shine-control setting spray? Browse our lightweight finish products.
6. Forgetting Your Brows
The Mistake: Forgetting your brows—or being too heavy-handed.
The Fix: Brows define the face and complete the look. Use a tinted brow gel or brow pencil to define your natural shape with light, hair-like strokes. Finish by brushing them up for a lifted effect.
7. Using the Same Makeup Look for All Situations
The Mistake: Using one makeup look for everything.
The Fix: Makeup must be multi-faceted. For day, keep it natural and light. For night, get dramatic with bold lip colors, smokey eyes, or radiance-enhancing highlighters.
Browse our range of go-anywhere products that easily move from daytime to nighttime.
Ready to Level Up Your Routine?
If any of these mistakes sound familiar, don't worry—you're not the only one. A little adjustment can make a big difference to how your makeup looks and feels. Whether you're refreshing your base, remolding your brows, or just looking for long-lasting solutions, the right tools and techniques can make all the difference.
Shop our selection to discover makeup essentials that do the legwork for you and give a glowing look! Discover the top beauty errors and expert tips to fix them for Desk to Dinner: Quick Makeup Tricks for Busy Women
