Makeup Mistakes to Avoid
The mistakes everyone makes, demonstrated and corrected — and how to fix one without starting over.
Don't make a mistake with your cosmetics. The fastest way to learn what not to do is to watch the common mistakes demonstrated -- and corrected -- which is exactly what the video on this page does.
Makeup Guides
Watch: Makeup Mistakes to Avoid
The Mistakes That Show Up Again and Again
Skipping preparation. Foundation over dry, unmoisturized skin clings to every flake and line. Cleanse, moisturize, and let the moisturizer settle before anything else goes on -- the Skin Care Tips page covers the routine underneath the makeup.
The wrong shade, confidently worn. Cosmetic color names are not standardized: a “Medium Beige” from one brand can be a different color from another brand's, and formulas change without notice. Test foundation on the jawline, in daylight, and blend it past the jaw so no edge shows.
Unblended edges. The most important aspect of applying eyeshadow -- and makeup in general -- is blending well. Harsh eyeshadow lines, striped blush and muddy contour are almost always a blending problem, not a product problem; a clean blending brush and a lighter hand fix most of them.
Too much powder, in the wrong place. Pressed powder overused gives a thick, clotted appearance, and powder everywhere dulls the skin the makeup was meant to flatter. Set only where shine actually appears, with the right powder for the job -- the Cosmetics Tips page explains all six face powder types.
Skipping primer under eyeshadow. Shadow without primer creases. A primer limits the chances of creases in your eyeshadow later -- a thirty-second step that saves the whole eye look.
Dirty hands and tools. Wash your hands before touching your face, and keep brushes clean: a dirty brush drags, deposits old color, and undoes careful shade choices.
Fixing a Mistake Without Starting Over
Most mistakes are local, and the fix is subtraction, not addition. Blend a harsh edge out with a clean brush; press a damp sponge over heavy foundation to lift the excess instead of powdering over it; brush through an over-dark brow with a spoolie; tidy an eyeliner slip with a pointed cotton swab. Starting over is for the rare mistake that covers the whole face -- everything else is a two-minute repair.
Common Questions
What is the most common makeup mistake?
Applying too much, in the wrong order, on unprepared skin. Makeup put on over dry, unmoisturized skin settles into lines and patches; foundation in a shade that does not match -- and cosmetic color names are not standardized between brands -- leaves a visible edge; and unblended lines around eyeshadow, blush and contour are the mistakes other people notice first.
Whose makeup-mistakes video does this page share?
'Makeup Mistakes to Avoid' by Ali Andreea on YouTube. Watching mistakes demonstrated -- and then corrected -- is an efficient way to learn, because the fix for each mistake is shown on the same face, in the same light.
How do I fix a makeup mistake once it is on my face?
Most mistakes are fixable without starting over: blend out a harsh eyeshadow or blush edge with a clean blending brush, lift excess foundation with a damp sponge rather than adding powder, soften an over-dark brow by brushing through it with a spoolie, and clean a wobbly eyeliner edge with a pointed cotton swab and a little cleanser. Adding more product on top is usually what turns a small mistake into a big one.