Makeup Mistakes You Don't Have To Make
BLESSING UKEMENA
In theory beauty, editors shouldn't be making makeup mistakes but in reality, even the most experienced makeup mavens can mess up now and then.
That's a lesson we learned the hard way when New York City makeup artist Susmta Patel told about 11 super-common makeup mistakes she sees almost daily, it was a stunning revelation. And more than a little embarrassing, because all of us at some point or another had committed these blunders (and most of us thought we looked pretty good at the time to boot).
It is better to know (and fix!) our makeup mistakes than strut around looking like clowns. So, here are those make up mistakes all ladies aare guilty of at one time or the other.
Wearing the wrong foundation shade
"Foundation isn't supposed to give your skin a bit of a tan," Patel says. After all, that's what bronzers are for. 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 with your skin."
Patel recommends testing on your jawline (not your hand!) before buying, and when possible, ask for a sample first. That way you can try it at home -- and look at your skin in various lighting situations -- to make sure the shade you choose looks natural.
Applying makeup on dry, flaky skin
Patel describes the results of slathering on foundation over chapped skin as "horrific," and we have to agree. Foundation will only emphasise the flakes by sitting on top of them instead of blending in with your skin.
Fix the dryness by exfoliating regularly (to get rid of flakes) and following that up with a rich moisturiser. Smoother skin means a much smoother application and finished look
Wearing blue eyeshadow
"Blue eyeshadow works for some people," Patel says. " such as little girls in dance recitals. Guests at 1970s-themed parties. Ethereal looking supermodels. If you aren't one of the aforementioned people, don't wear it. Enough said." Harsh, but truer words have never been spoken.
Trying to "plump" your lips
You've probably heard, or tried, the trick of lining just outside your natural lip line to make your lips look bigger. But it's way easier said than done. One wrong move and you'll end up looking like Pamela Anderson circa 1993.
If you are going to attempt it, Patel says to use a lip liner the same shade as your lipstick on the outer line of your lips, without passing over it. Fill in your lips as well -- that way, if your lipstick fades, you don't wind up with only a line around your mouth.
Ignoring your eyebrows
"When [brows are] well groomed they can enhance your eyes and your entire look," Patel says. So head to a professional to get an ideal shape. While you do want to tame overgrown brows, Patel stresses that you don't want to tweeze too much.
"As we get older, our brows naturally become sparser, so if you tweeze your brows too thin they might never fully grow back," she says. So just stick with cleaning up the area aro0und your eye brows and follow their natural arch fot your best shape.
Trying to "sculpt" your face
Yes, we would all love chiseled cheekbones and a dainty, ski-slope nose, but if nature didn't deliver, makeup isn't going to help. Patel says contouring is best left to professionals, and only for photography or film.
"No matter how skilled you are with the makeup brush, it's nearly impossible to use dark colors that aren't glaringly obvious when viewed in person, especially in broad daylight," Patel says. "Focus instead on pretty, soft makeup that plays up your best features."
Using pencil on your eyebrows
"A penciled eyebrow looks painted and weird (hello Joan Crawford)," Patel says. Nevertheless, many women still go this route to fill in brows. A better option: "Choose an eyeshadow color that matches your hair color and apply with a thin, stiff, angled brush using tiny strokes," Patel says
Wearing black eyeliner in the daytime
This may not apply to all skin colour but the expert says, "Here is a general rule: dark colors shrink and recede," Patel says. "Light colors advance and bring forward." That's why she recommends skipping black eyeliner (especially underneath eyes) during the day, so your eyes look more open and awake
Wearing glitter
"The thing that bothers me the most about glitter in makeup, besides the fact that it shouldn't be worn by anyone over the age of 14 (fabulous club kids get an exception here), is that it travels on your face, leaving strange sparkly spots where they shouldn't be,” Patel says. Instead of chunky glitter, she recommends shadows with finely milled shimmer -- used sparingly, of course.
Source- totalbeauty.com
