I think it’s safe to say anyone who’s visited my blog by now should know I love makeup and all things beauty. Makeup for me is all about creating fun and beautiful looks that make you feel good about yourself and that enhance your natural beauty. But trust me when I say I’ve come a LONG way from the first few years of wearing makeup.
When I first started out doing makeup at the ripe age of 13, I had no idea what contouring and highlighting was, the beauty blender had not yet been invented, and all of my eyeshadows, lip glosses, and blushes had sparkles and glitter in them.
So since I’ve been playing around with makeup for several years now, I thought it might be helpful to share with you some of the things I’ve learned over the years to do and NOT to do when it comes to makeup.
Beauty Fails I’ve Made
Wearing Too Much Foundation
There’s no such thing as too much foundation, right? Wrong! One of the things I definitely did as a teenager was wear entirely too much foundation. Not only would I cake on the liquid foundation but then I’d top it off with a ton of powder, and it was all too much.
Tip: To avoid the cake-face look, focus on finding a foundation that provides enough coverage to even out your skin tone, but one that also lets your natural skin shine through. If you have redness or blemishes, you can also use a good concealer for extra coverage in those areas.
Wearing the Wrong Foundation Shade
This is something I definitively struggled with until makeup companies (thankfully) started creating more shades. Because I’m pale I always just assumed I was whatever the lightest shade a makeup company offered, and I would never even test it to make sure. Low and behold when I would begin wearing it, the foundation would either be way too light making me look like a ghost or be too dark creating the dreaded “line”.
Tip: Be sure and always test out a foundation in store to make sure it will match your skin tone. Although many people test out on the back of the hand, the most accurate area to test is on the jawline. Using a mirror, apply a tiny dot and blend to ensure a perfect match. If you can’t test the product in store, several stores offer a return policy if the product ends up not matching.
Not Setting My Concealer
Thanks to my amazing genes and having dark under eye circles, I’ve pretty much always had to wear concealer. But even when I would find the perfect concealer products for coverage, I still would be dismayed when the concealer would always crease or fade by the end of the day. That’s when I realized the importance of setting it.
Tip: After applying liquid foundation and concealer, use a small makeup brush to apply a light dusting of translucent powder or face powder to the under eye area. If your t-zone tends to get oily, it’s also helpful to apply setting powder in those areas as well. This will ensure your makeup successfully stays in place all day.
Not Using Makeup Brushes
I honestly blame this one on the fact that I grew up in the generation before makeup brushes were really a thing. Without YouTube videos and Pinterest helping me out, how was I to know that the white makeup sponges and eyeshadow sponges were actually not the best tools to be using?
Tip: Find a good set of makeup brushes and ditch those cheap sponges that come with makeup kits. They’re cheap for a reason and make it impossible to blend your makeup. I highly recommend purchasing e.l.f. or real technique brushes and both brands offer very affordable options.
Applying Bronzer All Over
In addition to wearing too much foundation during my teenage years, I also thought it was cool to apply bronzer all over the face to make me appear more “tan”. Well considering the fact that I’m very fair skinned and I can’t tan, I unknowingly ended up making myself look like an oompa loompa.-haha
Tip: Bronzer is great to use for contouring parts of the face, but should only be used on key areas. Using a good makeup brush, apply bronzer to the cheekbones, brow bone, sides of the nose, and any other areas you want to contour. Alternatively, use highlighter for areas you want to “highlight” and emphasize. In doing this, you will create a more natural makeup look in lieu of appearing one-dimensional.
Not Blending My Eyeshadows
I already mentioned the fact that I didn’t use makeup brushes, so it’s safe to say that none of the makeup I applied during my teenage years were ever well-blended. Not blending your blush, bronzer, and eyeshadows can end up making you look more like a doll or clown, which is probably not something you want to do unless it’s Halloween.
Tip: As noted above, invest in some good quality brushes and blend, blend, blend. Makeup is meant to enhance your natural beauty, which is why it is so important to blend. By blending your blush, bronzer, and eyeshadows, you will create beautiful, subtle looks that appear natural.
So now that I’ve been honest about all my beauty fails, and since we’re all non-judgmental friends here, what’s some makeup mistakes you’ve made and/or learned from? No judging, I promise! 🙂
Have a Great Monday!- Cara
Linking up on Inspiration Monday, Busy Monday, Merry Monday, Amaze Me Monday, Totally Terrific Tuesday, Create, Link, Inspire, You’re Gonna Love It Tuesday, Tutorials & Tips, Pin Worthy Wednesday, Wow Me Wednesday, Best of the Blogosphere, Wonderful Wednesday
Lana @ The Joy Blog says
I kind of feel like makeup is whatever you want, if you love the way you look, rock it!
Kindly Unspoken says
That’s true Lana. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder 🙂
Steff says
This is so funny and so true. I’m guilty of almost all of these… especially caking on the foundation and basically using it as concealer, as well as, just NOT setting concealer (or foundation ) at all and wondering why I was applying more and more… and buying a new foundation every month 😀
Kindly Unspoken says
Yes it definitely took me awhile to realize why my concealer would never stay in place…haha
Dee says
Great tips! I have to laugh at all of the makeup mistakes I’ve made over the years.Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday!
Kindly Unspoken says
Thanks! Me too, Dee 🙂
Emily says
I just need to send you my address so you can come show me all these tips! I am so basic with my makeup. I definitely need to venture out a little. Thanks for sharing these tips!
Kindly Unspoken says
Sure thing! I’d love to help 🙂
Laura says
Cara- I love beauty posts.
I am also addicted to you tube beauty vlogger videos!
I am searching for the solution to the hooded eye. 🙂
I have never set my concealer and it never lasts. I have heard that Laura Mercier has a wonderful setting powder for under the eye.
Enjoyed visiting,
Laura
I hope you’ll share this at Thoughts of Home on Thursday tomorrow.
Just stop by my blog to join in.
Kindly Unspoken says
Thanks Laura, I will 🙂
adriana says
I love this! Getting the right shade of foundation is so important and harder than you’d think! Love this post!
Kindly Unspoken says
Thank-you!
Courtney says
I think we have ALL made these mistakes at some point, I definitely loved to cake on foundation when I was younger and it took me a long time to get my eyebrows right.
La Belle Sirene
Kindly Unspoken says
Me too! Yes, my eyebrows used to be super thin and it was not cute-haha
Chelsea says
I’ve definitely made all of these mistakes! I think my biggest mistake I’ve made was not using my brushes. I legit didn’t use a brush for my foundation until this year! so bad.
Kindly Unspoken says
It’s a life-changer for sure! 🙂
Sarah @ Bows and Clothes says
I love these tips! Thanks so much for sharing!
Sarah
http://mybowsandclothes.blogspot.com/
Kindly Unspoken says
You’re welcome!
Emelia says
All amazing tips- it’s seriously awesome how great brushes are!
Kindly Unspoken says
I agree! It was a definite life changer once I started using them!
Lexi says
Oh my gosh to all of these! I’ve definitely done these too many times!
Kindly Unspoken says
Glad to know I’m not the only one-haha 🙂
Chelsie Carr says
Yes! Blending your eyeshadow is so important! I see a lot of makeup presenters for a certain company out there and they never blend their eyeshadow and it makes me cringe!
Kindly Unspoken says
I agree Chelsie, and I cringe a little too when I see that-haha
Tamara says
The wrong foundation shade drives me crazy.
Kindly Unspoken says
I know, Tamara! It can be frustrating when you can’t find a good match, but when I do I always stock up-haha
Kusum says
This is so on point, I am guilty of not blending my eye shadow well because I am either running out of time or patience, haha.
xx, Kusum | http://www.sveeteskapes.com
Kindly Unspoken says
Haha, been there done that 😉
Sara says
Oooomph I think I’m guilt of many of these. Great tips to fix them though!!
Kindly Unspoken says
Thanks girl!
Susannah says
These are really great tips! I’ve made quite a few of these mistakes in my time too!
Kindly Unspoken says
Thanks! I think we’ve all made a few, but what’s important is that we learn from it and I know I personally always focus on improving. 🙂
Shann says
Thank you for sharing your mistakes and tips. I’ve definitely made some of the same. I need some new make up brushes for sure.
Kindly Unspoken says
It’s amazing what a difference a good set of makeup brushes makes!
suzanne says
Yes! Great post. The wrong shade of foundation will ruin everything!
xo
Suzanne
http://mykindofsweet.com/
Kindly Unspoken says
Thanks Suzanne!
Christine @ The (mostly) Simple Life says
I think everyone has done at least one of these! I’ve had a hard time finding the right shade of foundation because my skin is so light and so many foundations are too orange-y on me.
Kindly Unspoken says
I’ve had the same struggle, Christine. Thankfully more companies are coming out with better shade selections!
Clare Speer says
Such good tips… some of the mistakes I have certainly made is the wrong shade foundation and not using a bronzer. Also – I must invest and use makeup brushes – thanks for this!
Kindly Unspoken says
You’re welcome! 🙂
Chelsea says
I’ve definitely had some of these makeup fails… glad my skills have improved quite a lot! 😉
Kindly Unspoken says
Haha me too, girl!
Stephanie says
The biggest one was wrong foundation and not knowing how to do eyeshadow. Great tips!
Kindly Unspoken says
I agree Stephanie. Not wearing the right shade or type of foundation is bad from the get-go. At least we’ve learned and improved 🙂
Trish Delgado says
My biggest mistake was not blending the foundation all the way down to my chest. My neck was a totally different shade than my face it was horrific.
Kindly Unspoken says
I’ve did that once or twice, too 😉
Rosemary says
Oh man, things I wish I would have known in Middle School and High School. Would have saved a lot of heart ache.
Kindly Unspoken says
Haha, I know- right? I think we all had the awkward beauty fails during our teenage years, though.
Chloe Reed - A Girls View says
I really enjoyed this blog post! One of the makeup mistakes I use to make was applying too many thick layers of product. I use to apply a load of foundation then lots of concealer, and then apply a whole load of powder! Everything was just too much, and I have since learnt to apply thin layers. Less is more!
Kindly Unspoken says
I completely agree, Chloe! That’s great advice, and something I’ve learned over the years as well.
Mayra Murillo says
Guilty as charges! I don’t think there is anyone out there that hasn’t made these mistakes. I keep practicing to better myself.
Kindly Unspoken says
Me too, Mayra! 🙂
SMD @ Life According to Steph says
I absolutely used to bronzer up my whole face!!
Kindly Unspoken says
Haha, I don’t know what I was thinking! Like people weren’t gonna notice the fact my arms and legs were like a ghost and my face was the color of an orange,lol. 🙂
Joanna says
I was the worst at wearing the wrong foundation shade when I was younger! Hahah, the good old days…;)
Kindly Unspoken says
Lol, I could have probably included at least 10 more on this list from my teenage years alone! 🙂
Kate @ Green Fashionista says
I think I’ve made every single one of these mistakes too! I’ve gotten better over the years, but still have a long way to go!
Green Fashionista
Kindly Unspoken says
Me too, I’m always improving and learning new techniques and better ways of applying makeup.
Chrissa - Physical Kitchness says
I never wear foundation but not because I don’t want to – I’m scared!!! I need to start covering these sun spots (wow I’m getting old). Thanks for the tips!
Kindly Unspoken says
You’re welcome! I’d recommend investing in the Real Technique’s version of the Beauty Blender to use, and it makes applying foundation so easy and makes your makeup appear more natural. 🙂
Leslie says
When I was younger, I not only used cakey foundation, but it was also a shade too dark. Imagine how ridiculous I looked with my makeup caked on and a horrible line along my jawline. So glad I’ve since learned better! I’m totally guilty of putting bronzer all over. But only when I don’t have a tan, haha.
Kindly Unspoken says
Yep that was me too when I was a teenager! I feel a little bit better though because most of the girls I went to school with did the same thing, so it was the “cool” thing at the time-haha I’m sure we looked wonderful 😉
Grady says
HAHAHA Yup! I’m super pale, too, and I’ve definitely made some of these mistakes! 😛
Kindly Unspoken says
At least we’ve learned from them! 🙂
Evelina says
I started using proper makeup brushes a couple years ago and I honestly don’t know how I went without them! Total life changers.
Evelina @ Fortunate House
Kindly Unspoken says
I agree! Especially with applying foundation it has been such a game changer for me! 🙂
Jessica @ Little Bits of Joy says
This was so fun! And I did all of these too… also as a teenager I’d put white eyeliner on my upper lid, then a sparkly colored shadow over it… so I’d end up with green, purple, blue eyeliner… why?? It was such a weird look when I think back on it!!
Kindly Unspoken says
Haha, I did weird stuff like that too- no worries 🙂
Nadine says
I have failed at every last one of these in my younger years as well. I would like to add wearing too many sparkly/glittery things to the mix as well hahaha.
Kindly Unspoken says
Haha, yes I definitely did that one as well! 🙂
Joyce Lewandowski says
I’m just looking into makeup brushes. Thanks for the recommendations. Sephora does a great job in identifying your true foundation color with their color IQ so I do recommend going into a store and getting that done. It’s free! 🙂
Kindly Unspoken says
Yes, great tip Joyce! 🙂
Kristina @ Ms.Modify says
These are great tips! The biggest makeup tip I’ve leaned over the years is less is more! Have a great Monday!
xo, Kristina
Kindly Unspoken says
I agree 100% Kristina. I used to way over-do with makeup in my teenage years. Thanks!
chelsea jacobs says
We’ve all made the bronzer-all-over mistake!
Kindly Unspoken says
Yep, and thankfully I’ve finally embraced the paleness-haha
Jennifer says
This is really great Cara! I love how you’ve included tips too because it is not just the mistake, but how to improve it for other people.
Kindly Unspoken says
Thanks Jennifer! 🙂
Rebecca Jo says
OH SNAP – I didnt know you were supposed to set your concealer. I actually just bought some under eye powder – I guess that’s what that’s for 🙂 haha
Kindly Unspoken says
Haha, no shame girl! Live and learn 😉
Ashley LaMar says
? on the brushes! I grew up on sponges and fingertips. How could I have known? I’m hooked on brushes now though. In fact, I just bought a new kabuki brush last weekend.
Kindly Unspoken says
Haha, I feel like that one is excusable just because we didn’t know any better. 😉
Jacquelyn @ The Lowcountry Mama says
I need all the tips I can get. Sooo this might be a dumb question but concealer goes on AFTER foundation?!
Kindly Unspoken says
There’s a huge debate on this- but after years of applying concealer first then foundation, I’ve found it works better for my skin to reverse it when applying concealer last and then setting it. It’s all about works best for your skin type, though, so play around and try it both ways and see what lasts/looks better for you. 🙂
Donna says
I feel you on the concealer struggle! I have pale skin too and it’s so hard to find a shade that matches. And it seems like just when I find “the one” the next time I go to purchase it the company has rebranded that line and everything has a different name or number and I have to start back at square one!
Kindly Unspoken says
Ugh, I know! That happens all the time and it drives me nuts-haha Glad to know I’m not the only one!
Abby says
I wear very little makeup, so thankfully I haven’t made many of these mistakes, but I really should work on setting my concealer. With baby #3 on the way, I’m sure the circles will only get darker 🙂
Kindly Unspoken says
Haha, hey maybe you’ll luck up and your baby will be an awesome sleeper! 😉 A girl can dream, right?
Amy Saunders says
These are some really great tips! I’ve just bought my first ever Real Techniques brush and I love it! Thanks!
Kindly Unspoken says
That’s awesome, Amy! They are really great quality brushes!
Andrea Nine says
What a great idea for a post! I can truly relate to every single one of these! Especially bronzer all over, ha ha yeah that orange glow was not favorable, LOL hope you have a happy Monday
Kindly Unspoken says
Thanks! Haha glad to know I’m not the only one with the bronzer thing 🙂
Pamela says
Haha yup! I feel you on these! I used to NEVER use brushes so my makeup was never blended well. And I never wore the right shade of makeup in high school, so awful. <3, Pamela Sequins & Sea Breezes
Kindly Unspoken says
Lol, I’m not sure what I was thinking with the wearing bronzer all over thing, but it seemed to be the “cool” thing way back when.
ellesees.net says
how far we’ve come from the sponge tip applicator things found in drugstore eye shadows!!!
Kindly Unspoken says
I know, right!? So glad! haha
Laura Kathleen says
So funny when I think back to some make-up mistakes I made in the past! How did I actually apply make-up with the free brushes that came with the product or not try foundation shades before buying? Thanks for sharing!
Laura | Laura Aime Vous
Kindly Unspoken says
Haha, I know!
Candy says
I need to invest in some new make up brushes.
Kindly Unspoken says
They make all the difference in how your makeup looks, I think.