Five Makeup Mistakes to Avoid

Along with clothes, accessories and hairstyles, makeup really helps you to express yourself visually. It is a good idea, then, to make sure you are creating the impression you want with your cosmetics, and that people are looking at you for the reasons you intended when you step out to face the world. This article outlines five common makeup mistakes that will detract from your beauty, rather than enhance it.

1. Too Much Powder

A light covering of translucent powder applied in the right places, with a brush, can help to set makeup and prevent shining. Take care not to overdo it, though, or your skin is likely to appear pale and chalky, and the mask-like finish will only hide your best features. 

Even worse, the powder will sink into any fine lines or wrinkles and magnify them, ageing you in the process. None of this is good news, so think twice before reaching for the powder pouf.

2. Playing up Eyes and Lips

It is a general rule that you should never wear heavy eye makeup when you are rocking dramatic lips. Not only can it be daunting, but also there is a risk you will end up looking like a clown. 

Make a statement with one or the other, not both. By doing this, you will make the feature you are choosing to highlight stand out much more than it would if your whole look is too busy.

3. Unnatural Looking Foundation

If you wear foundation that is not the right shade for your skin, or apply too much, the chances are your face and neck won't match and you will end up working the orange lollipop look. To avoid this particular beauty blunder, make sure you select a foundation that matches your skin type and colour. If you are not sure what to go for, visit any of the beauty counters at your local department store and staff will usually be happy to advise you.

4. Not Blending Your Products 

Failure to properly blend your eyeshadow, blusher, concealer, foundation or powder can put you firmly back in clown territory when you should be aiming for a smooth, flawless finish.  If products are blended correctly, makeup can work like magic to accentuate your best features and contour your face. If you need a bit of help with this, there are plenty of online tutorials showing you how to blend and a key tip is to purchase the right tools for the job. With a bit of practice, blending brushes, sponges and wedges will help ensure there are no harsh lines and streaks. 

5. Overdoing Lip Liner 

Lip liner defines the lips and prevents lipstick from bleeding, so it is an important product for perfecting your pout. However, harshly lined lips or wearing a liner that is too dark will just look unnatural and dated. And if you stray outside of the natural line of your lips, you also risk emphasising any fine lines around the mouth. 

When working with lip liner, therefore, do take care to follow your lip line and make sure the colour is a good match for your lipstick. To avoid severe lines, choose a creamy pencil that is easy to blend. If you avoid using lip liner altogether, give it a go. When you get it right, you will probably want to kiss yourself. 

If any of the above mistakes sounds familiar, don't give yourself a hard time. Remember, even celebrities fall foul of them sometimes and they usually have the benefit of professional makeup artists. And at least when you are having a bad makeup day, there is unlikely to be a photographer on hand to capture your every blunder.

The Art of Choosing Foundation Like A Pro

One of the most important cosmetic decisions a person can make involves the selection of the right foundation. 

Foundation serves a variety of purposes including protecting the skin from sun damage, evening out skin tone, minimizing fine lines, and giving your skin a more polished, healthy look. Some foundations even add a subtle hint of color to the face. If you’re confused about all the options available to you, here are some guidelines on how to choose the right foundation:

Consider your undertones

Everyone’s skin has an underlying tint that’s either cool or warm. This information is important for selecting your foundation shade. 

To determine your undertones, look at the skin in an area where you’ve received less sun exposure such as the underside of your wrists. Study the skin tone and the color of the veins. 

If your skin has a golden or reddish cast and the veins appear green in color, you most likely have warm undertones. 

If your skin in this area appears pink or blue and you have blue coloration of your veins, you probably have cool undertones. You’ll want to choose a foundation shade that matches these undertones. 

Know your skin type

If your skin is predominantly oily and you’re prone to outbreaks of acne, you’ll want to purchase a foundation that’s oil free and non-comedogenic. A foundation with added oil can be a disaster when applied to acne prone skin. Likewise, if your skin is dry or more mature, you’ll want a creamier or more moisturizing foundation. Always choose a foundation with sunscreen if you don’t plan on applying a separate sun block formula. 

Consider the time of year

If you are in the middle summer time and you’ll be out in the sun, you may want to choose a slightly darker shade of foundation to avoid a chalky or pasty look. Again, be sure your selection has added sunscreen. You may want to purchase a foundation for use in the summer and a separate one for use in the winter months when your natural skin tends to be paler. 

Consider the amount of coverage you need

If you’re looking for minimal coverage, you may be able to get by with a tinted moisturizer or a very sheer, liquid foundation. Another option are the newer mineral foundations that provide sheer coverage. If you want heavier coverage, you may want to consider a heavier, cream foundation or a foundation stick. You can also enhance the coverage of a foundation by applying concealer to areas that need extra help. 

When choosing a foundation, it’s best to start at the cosmetic counter where you have the freedom to try different colors and formulations. Avoid wearing makeup when you shop for foundation and carry a small hand mirror so you can view different shades in direct light. Don’t rely on the lighting at the cosmetic counter. A foundation may look totally different when you walk out into the light. 

Choosing the right foundation doesn’t have to be an impossible task once you understand your skin type and underlying skin tones. Keep these tips in mind the next time you set out to choose a foundation. 

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Foundation Tips for Mature and Young Skin

Foundation is one of the most complex beauty products because of the wide variety of formulas, textures, and ways to apply it. However, there are easy ways to achieve that fresh, glowy finish no matter what your age is. Follow these 6 simple tips to do a perfect foundation: 

1. Prep Your Skin

The first rule to applying foundation is to make sure that your skin is well-hydrated. It helps foundation to glide on more smoothly. For mature skin, applying moisturizer beforehand will instantly plump up the skin and make fine lines less visible. Primer is a skippable step unless you have to minimize pores and correct redness, or if your makeup has to last through the day.

2. Choose the Right Foundation

Acne is a common skin problem, especially for younger people, but that doesn’t mean they cannot use foundation. Choose a product with labels such as "non-oily,” “hypoallergenic” and “noncomedogenic”, which does not irritate the skin and improves complexion at the same time. If you do not have acne problems, choose a foundation that caters for the needs of your skin, such as a hydrating or oil-controlling formula.

Nowadays, many foundations are formulated with anti-aging and face-lifting benefits, which are ideal for mature women. An important tip for choosing foundation is to pick according to seasons. In winter, you may need a cream foundation which is more moisturizing. In summer, skin tends to become oily and a light foundation or even a tinted moisturizer will do.

3. Find Your Shade

To find the perfect shade, test foundation on your jawline and check it in the daylight. If the color is correct, it should disappear without blending. You can ask a beauty adviser at a store to help you pick the perfect color. 

4. Apply It the Right Way

The best way to apply foundation is to blend thin layers into the skin. Take a dab of foundation and apply on the centre of the face, round the nose, mouth areas, chin and centre of the forehead, then blend it outward until it becomes thinner, which helps achieve a much more natural finish.

You may use fingers, a brush or a sponge to apply foundation, depending on the format of the foundation and coverage you want. For thinner foundations and a little coverage, use your fingers. For compact foundation, a sponge is preferred. To get an airbrushed look, use a brush or the Beautyblender Cosmetic Sponge, a cult favorite among the makeup pros.

5. Conceal after Foundation

Applying concealer after foundation can prevent using more concealer than you actually need. Choose a color that is one shade lighter than your skin, as too light will give a fake look. Use a small, pointy brush to cover the darkest part of under-eye circles, usually below the inner eye corners. Dab on a bit of concealer on other skin flaws or blemishes that aren’t covered by the foundation as well. 

6. Finish off with Loose Powder 

Use a translucent or light-reflecting loose powder which helps give a luminous touch and control shine. Pour some powder on the lid of the container and dip it with a powder blush. Tap the brush over the lid to remove any excess. Gently dust your face with the powder, starting from the forehead, down to the cheekbones, bridge of your nose, and the chin. 

Choosing the right foundation and applying it the right way are keys to getting that fresh, youthful glow. Do you have any secret tips in creating a flawless look? Let us know in the comments!

Foundation Tips for Mature and Young Skin

Foundation is one of the most complex beauty products because of the wide variety of formulas, textures, and ways to apply it. However, there are easy ways to achieve that fresh, glowy finish no matter what your age is. Follow these 6 simple tips to apply a perfect foundation. 

1. Prep Your Skin

The first rule to applying foundation is to make sure that your skin is well-hydrated. It helps foundation to glide on more smoothly. For mature skin, slathering moisturizer on beforehand will instantly plump up your skin and make fine lines less visible. Primer is a skippable step unless you have to minimize pores and correct redness, or your makeup has to last through the day.

2. Choose the Right Foundation

Acne is a common skin complaint for young people, but that doesn’t mean they cannot use foundation. Choose a product with labels such as "non-oily,” “hypoallergenic” and “noncomedogenic”, which does not irritate the skin and improves complexion at the same time. If you do not have acne problems, choose a foundation that caters for the needs of your skin, such as a hydrating or oil-controlling formula.

Nowadays, many foundations are formulated with anti-aging and face-lifting benefits, which are ideal for mature women. An important tip for choosing foundation is to pick according to seasons. In winter, you may need a cream foundation which is more moisturizing. In summer, skin tends to become oily and a light foundation or even a tinted moisturizer will do.

3. Find Your Shade

To find the perfect shade, test foundation on your jawline and check it in the daylight. If the color is correct, it should disappear without blending. You can ask a beauty adviser at a store to help you pick the perfect color.

4. Apply It the Right Way

The best way to apply foundation is to blend thin layers into the skin. Take a dab of foundation and apply on the centre of the face, round the nose, mouth areas, chin and centre of the forehead, then blend it outward until it becomes thinner, which helps achieve a much more natural finish.

You may use fingers, a brush or a sponge to apply foundation, depending on the format of the foundation and coverage you want. For thinner foundations and a little coverage, use your fingers. For compact foundation, a sponge is preferred. To get an airbrushed look, use a brush or the Beautyblender Cosmetic Sponge, a cult favorite among the makeup pros.

5. Conceal after Foundation

Applying concealer after foundation can prevent using more concealer than you need. Choose a color that is one shade lighter than your skin, as too light will give a fake look. Use a small, pointy brush to cover the darkest part of under-eye circles, usually below the inner eye corners. Dab on a bit of concealer on other skin flaws or blemishes that aren’t covered by the foundation as well. 

6. Finish off with Loose Powder

Use a translucent or light-reflecting loose powder which helps give a luminous touch and control shine. Pour some powder on the lid of the container and dip it with a powder blush. Tap the brush over the lid to remove any excess. Gently dust your face with the powder, starting from the forehead, down to the cheekbones, bridge of your nose, and the chin. 

Choosing the right foundation and applying it the right way are keys to getting that fresh, youthful glow. Do you have any secret tips in creating a flawless look? Let us know in the comments!