20 common makeup issues and how to fix them

Skin needs to be prepared properly to take on makeup. If you’re applying makeup to your face without washing, moisturizing, and sunscreening first, you’re putting your skin at risk. Before applying makeup, walk through the aforementioned steps (and prime your face if your sunscreen doesn’t double as a primer). 

It’s easy to pick the wrong foundation shade, but it can result in a huge makeup blunder. To get the right foundation shade, first identify your undertones and find which foundation options match. From there, choose what specific shade you need by matching to the skin on your neck. 

It’s also easy to use a foundation type that’s not built for your skin. To remedy this mistake, determine whether you have dry, normal, oily, or combination skin, and choose a foundation built for your skin type. From there, determining which foundation is best for you may take some trial and error. 

If there are any harsh lines (aside from your eyeliner or lip liner) on your face, you haven’t blended enough. You can correct this mistake simply by blending more. Use either a blush or a sponge to diffuse the product so it melts more seamlessly into your skin. 

Unless you’re using an underpainting technique, concealer is meant to go on top of your foundation to highlight, conceal blemishes, and cover pigment underneath your eyes. If you’re applying concealer first, switch the order of your application. 

Bronzer and contour are often confused, but their differences are important. Bronzer is meant to add a sunkissed look to your face, and bronzing products typically have a sheen and warm undertones. Contour is meant to sculpt your face, and contour products are typically matte and come in shades with cool undertones. 

Don’t watch a contouring tutorial and assume you should place your contour in the exact same places as the model. Determine where to place your contour according to your unique face shape. 

Too much powder can result in a cakey makeup look. Luckily, there’s an easy fix: Use less powder. 

Many people who wear makeup use the wrong tools, especially when it comes to brushes. If you’re having trouble with application, you might be using your tools incorrectly. Take a look at your specific tools and read what they were designed for. Use as directed. 

If your lashes aren’t looking as full and long as they could, you might be applying your mascara incorrectly. Apply your mascara by starting your wand at the base of your lashes and moving upward, slightly wiggling your wand. Add one to two more coats, depending on how much product you can apply without it getting clumpy.   

Using dirty makeup brushes is all too common. It might not seem like a big deal, but dirty brushes can collect bacteria, which can have a gnarly impact on your skin, and they don’t apply makeup as well as clean brushes. Remedy this problem by washing your damn brushes. 

Many makeup brands are on the market today, and they all are formulating their products differently. If your makeup looks cakey, particularly your foundation, you are likely applying too much product. Read about your makeup, see what it’s built for, and apply it according to the directions. 

Stop sleeping with your makeup on. Even if you aren’t noticing problems right now, you’re setting your skin up to be in worse shape as you age. Wash your face at night, and don’t even get into bed without removing your makeup. 

Sometimes, mascara smudges throughout the day, but there are ways to stop it from happening. For example, try going without mascara on your bottom lashes. You can also try your luck with a different concealer, and you can try baking your under eyes so there’s less oil for your mascara to contend with. 

Brows play an important role in structuring your face, and you don’t want them to be uneven. One mistake that causes uneven brows is drawing them on against your natural shape. If that’s your error, start using your brows as a natural stencil. If you simply struggle with application, try using an actual stencil. 

Lighting makes a huge difference in the quality of your makeup. If you’re applying your makeup in bad lighting, get better lighting. Open a window. Replace your lightbulbs. Get a makeup mirror with a light. There are ways to improve your lighting situation. 

When it comes to makeup, your face shape dictates what works and what doesn’t. Don’t try to fight your face shape - work with it. Figure out what your face shape is and where certain products will look best. Don’t forget to determine your eye shape, either. 

Concealer serves different purposes. Sometimes, it’s used to cover blemishes and other pigmentation. Other times it’s used for highlighting. Choose your concealer shade for its specific job. If it’s for hiding blemishes, use the same color as your foundation. If it’s for highlighting, use a color that’s one or two shades lighter than your foundation. 

Highlighting is a way to bring attention to certain parts of your face, like the tip of your nose, your cheekbones, your brow bones, and your Cupid’s bow. Those areas should be highlighted with highlighting products, not places on your face where there are meant to be shadows. 

If your skin is super flaky, don’t put makeup on it. Your makeup won’t lay properly, and it’ll bring attention to the flakes. If you want to wear makeup, take care of the flakes first through some exfoliation, then work to address the underlying issue causing the flakiness.