Makeup mistakes every woman should avoid

Professional makeup artist Jay Parker busts common beauty mistakes and shares her secrets that will take you from fail to fabulous. Here’s where you’ve been going wrong, and how to fix the problem, stat.

#1 / Using shimmer eyeshadow on mature skin

Shimmer actually highlights wrinkles. Instead, go for a great everyday matte eyeshadow to add a pop of colour to your eyes, like INIKA Mineral Eyeshadow in Coco Motion. 

#2 / Applying mascara to your top lashes first 

If you always end up with mascara dots on your eyelids then you need to switch the order you apply your mascara. When you coat your top lashes first, the second you look down to do your bottom lashes the tips of your wet top lashes smudge onto your lids. Doing the bottom ones first will prevent this. We love Rimmel London 100% Waterproof Mascara for its quick-drying formula.

#3 / Wearing winter foundation in summer

Have two slightly different shades – one for summer and one for winter. In between, you can blend the two together. We recommend NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation – it comes in 20 shades so you’re guaranteed to find your perfect match.

If you don't want to switch foundations until your winter one is finished, here are our tips for making your winter foundation work in spring and summer.

#4 / Applying a bronzer all over your face 

Apply a small amount only where the sun naturally tans the face, such as your forehead, cheekbones, nose or chin. Try Dior Diorskin Nude Air Tan, Healthy Glow Sun Powder. 

Follow our handy bronzing tutorial to find out exactly how to apply bronzer for a natural glow.

#5 / Drawing on your eyebrows

Only use an eyebrow pencil such as Bobbi Brown Perfectly Defined Long-Wear Brow Pencil to colour hairs and fill in gaps with light brush strokes. It will help create a fuller but natural look.

#6 / Lining the lips with lip liner

Rather than just outlining the lips with lip liner, fill in the whole lip. When your lipstick wears, it’ll wear off evenly without leaving a ring. It will also give your colour longevity and depth. Try Napoleon Perdis Lip Pencil in Pinot Noir.

#7 / Using concealer to hide wrinkles, bags and dark circles

It can’t do it all! Using your ring finger, apply a small amount 
of concealer (we like Nude by Nature Liquid
 Mineral Concealer) by pressing on the dark circles. But remember less is more! The more you apply, the more it will settle into your wrinkles, highlighting them more than ever. You can always correct colour with concealer, but not the texture
 of your skin. There will always be a compromise when it comes to using concealer.

#8 / Over-applying blush

Apply a loose mineral blush with a blush brush, smiling gently to see the apples of the cheeks. Starting from the ear, softly brush forward to achieve
a soft, flushed look.
 We like Designer Brands Natural Ground Minerals Blush.

#9 / Trying to draw on your eyeliner in just one stroke

Apply your eyeliner by resting your elbow on a counter top or firmly tucked into your body for stability. Using a light flicking motion, start from the inner eye and work your way out. The smooth formula of Natio Long Lasting Eye Liner makes applying a straight line easy.

Want more helpful hints for applying your eyeliner like a pro? Here are the winged eyeliner tricks makeup artists swear by.

For more beauty tips from New Idea, head over to newidea.com.au

Main image credit: Getty