Mistakes to Avoid : this phrase gives me the chills! I used to think that makeup was like cooking – you follow the recipe and voilà, it’s a done deal. Except I quickly changed my tune the day I looked like a clown after trying to copy a YouTube tutorial. The problem with makeup is that it seems simple from the outside, but as soon as you start, everything can turn into a nightmare.
You know that weird feeling when you look in the mirror and think, “Something’s not right”? Well, that’s exactly what happens when you keep making makeup mistakes . Between the common beauty errors we all make and the traps even the pros sometimes fall into, it’s a real obstacle course! So today, we’re going to break down all those little self-sabotages that ruin our efforts. Because frankly, who wants to spend an hour in front of the mirror only to end up looking awful?
Mistakes to Avoid When Preparing Your Skin
Okay, let’s be honest: how many of you skip this step because “it’s fine anyway, my skin is clean”? Raise your hand, we’re not judging! But this is where everything happens, my dears.
Not Cleansing Your Skin: A Fatal Mistake to Avoid
Now we’re getting to the biggest problem with our morning routines. Forgetting to cleanse your skin before applying makeup is like trying to stick a poster on a dusty wall. It might stay put for two minutes, and then, good luck with the mess!
I know what you’re thinking: “But I washed my face last night!” Except your skin didn’t just sit idle overnight. It sweated, eliminated waste, produced sebum… In short, it worked like a little factory. The result: when you wake up, you have a thin, invisible film that will ruin the adhesion of your makeup.
And then we wonder why our foundation melts after two hours! A quick swipe of micellar water in the morning takes thirty seconds and makes all the difference. Not to mention hydration – applying makeup to dry skin guarantees a “cracked” effect worthy of a masterpiece painting… but not on your face!
Mistakes to Avoid : Neglecting the Basic Step
Makeup primer, that thing we look at on the shelf thinking, “Yet another product to buy”? Well, it turns out it’s your winning ticket to long-lasting makeup. Skipping makeup primer is exactly like trying to paint a wall without undercoat.
But be careful, not just any primer will do! Choosing the wrong makeup base can be a disaster. A base that’s too rich on oily skin will give you a guaranteed “ice rink” effect. A mattifying base on dry skin will leave you with a “lizard skin” look! Every skin type has its own needs, and believe me, an unsuitable base can turn your beauty routine into a complete catastrophe.
Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing and Applying Foundation
Ah, foundation! That little tube that gives us so much hope and can break our hearts in two seconds. It’s what will determine whether your makeup is a success or if you’ll spend the day avoiding mirrors.
Mistakes to Avoid : The Quest for the Perfect Shade
So, let’s be honest: who hasn’t ever had that horrible line between their face and neck? Choosing the wrong shade of foundation is the kind of mistake that can be seen from miles away and makes you look like a beginner, even if you’ve been wearing makeup for years.
The worst part is that we all have our silly little habits. There are those who systematically choose a lighter shade “to look less tired” (spoiler alert: it doesn’t work), and those who choose a darker shade “to look tanned” (spoiler alert: it just looks weird). Your foundation should disappear into your skin, period.
And then there’s the trap of mismatched foundation undertones . You can have the right intensity, but if the undertone is wrong, you’ll look like you’re wearing a mask. Cool skin tones clash with gold. Warm skin tones clash with pink. It’s simple math!
Application: Pitfalls to Avoid
Applying too much foundation : the panic reflex of all those who desperately want to cover everything up at once. Except the more you put on, the more noticeable it becomes! It’s a vicious cycle, but that’s how it is. The secret is to apply it in small layers and build it up where it really needs it.
And let’s talk tools! Using the wrong tools for foundation can ruin even the best product. Your old, flat brush that’s seen better days? Into the bin! A dirty sponge you’ve been using for weeks? Back to the bin! Each tool gives a different finish, so it’s best to choose the right one from the start.
Mistakes to Avoid in the Art of Contouring and Highlighting
Ah, contouring! That magical technique that promised to make us look like Kim Kardashian, but mostly taught us that we could end up looking like… a relief map! Not exactly the desired result.
Mistakes to Avoid : Overdoing It in Contouring
Too much contouring turns your face into a mountain landscape. Seriously, I’ve seen girls with more shadows on their faces than in a forest at midday! Contouring should be subtle. Otherwise, you look like a character from a 90s video game.
Bad blending technique : an absolute nightmare! You know, those poorly blended brown patches that make it look like you’ve smeared dirt all over your face? Yes, that’s exactly what happens when you don’t know how to blend. Patience and good brushes, my friends. That’s the foundation.
And then there are the most common contouring mistakes : blindly copying what you see on Instagram without considering your own face shape. Newsflash: we don’t all have the same face shape! What works on your favorite influencer might be a disaster on you.
Highlighting: When Light Becomes Dazzling
Highlighter is supposed to give that natural glow, “like you just got back from vacation.” But applying too much highlighter guarantees you’ll look like a disco ball! You’ll shine so brightly you’ll need sunglasses to even look at you.
Mistakes in highlighter placement are also disastrous. Applying highlighter everywhere “because it looks pretty” is a recipe for disaster. Highlighter should be applied to areas that naturally catch the light, not to the hollows of your face!
Mistakes to Avoid in Eye Makeup
Eyes are the most rewarding thing… and the most frustrating too! One minute you’re an artist, the next you look like a crying panda.
Mistakes to Avoid : Eyeshadow Mistakes
Choosing the wrong eyeshadow colors can literally dull your eyes. I have a friend with gorgeous blue eyes who insists on wearing blue eyeshadow. The result: her eyes completely disappear! It’s a shame because with copper or peach, she would be stunning.
The bad technique for blending shadows : my personal nightmare for years! You know that moment when you try to make a nice gradient and you end up with what we can politely call… an exploded rainbow? Yeah, that’s exactly it.
Mistakes to Avoid : Eyeliner and its Pitfalls
Eyeliner, that darn thing that can ruin your entire morning! Applying eyeliner that’s too thick is the kind of mistake that turns your beautiful eyes into little slits. And don’t even get us started on those days when it absolutely refuses to be symmetrical!
Eyeliner shape mistakes : copying someone else’s eyeliner shape without considering your own eye shape. If you have hooded eyes and you copy someone’s eyeliner with almond-shaped eyes, it’s going to be a disaster!
Mistakes to Avoid for Perfect Eyebrows
Eyebrows, those tiny hairs that have the power to completely transform your face! But beware, it’s also where the biggest damage can be done.
Mistakes to Avoid : Over-plucking Eyebrows
Over-plucking your eyebrows : a youthful mistake that still haunts you years later! How many of us massacred our eyebrows in the 2000s, thinking that “the thinner, the prettier”? Now that we know full eyebrows are in, it’s a real struggle to grow them back!
The wrong shape for your face : blindly following trends without considering what truly suits you. Do you have a round face and absolutely want straight eyebrows like on Instagram? Bad idea! Your eyebrows should adapt to your face shape, not the other way around.
Eyebrow Makeup: Between Art and Catastrophe
Drawing on eyebrows that are too dark gives that absolutely horrible “felt-tip brow” effect. Your eyebrows should look natural, even when made up! One shade too dark and bam, you end up looking like a cartoon character.
Eyebrow makeup mistakes also include using a single product all over the brow. The result: uniform, artificial-looking brows. The real trick is to vary the intensity for a natural look.
Mistakes to Avoid When Applying Blush and Lipstick
Now we come to the finishing touches! Those little details that can enhance your makeup… or completely ruin it if you’re not careful.
Mistakes to Avoid : The Blush That Betrays
Applying blush in the wrong place can completely change the shape of your face. Too low, and you look tired. Too high, and you look like a doll. The trick is to smile and apply it to the part that stands out. Easy peasy!
The wrong blush color : choosing a candy pink when you have olive skin, or a coral on very fair skin. It clashes! Your blush should complement your skin tone, otherwise it looks “applied.”
The Lips: A Zone of All Dangers
Choosing the wrong lipstick color can ruin your entire makeup look. Too intense a red with smoky eyes, and you’ve got yourself a visual overload! Balance, my darlings, always balance.
Improper lipstick application can turn even the most beautiful lipstick into a disaster. Dry lips, no lip line, a sloppy application… and there goes all the work!
Well, I could go on for hours telling you about all the makeup pitfalls! I still have plenty to tell you about general harmony and specific mistakes depending on the occasion.
