4 top makeup mistakes you need to stop making ASAP

We all make mistakes. And in our beauty routines, we’ve made more than we care to remember – from going way too heavy on the bronzer and looking like a muddy mess to forgetting to wash the fake tan off our hands. While we now know to avoid these beauty blunders, there are still some that many of us are making on a daily basis… without even realising. Expert makeup artist and Priceline Pharmacy Makeup Director, Sarah Laidlaw clues us in on where we may be going wrong. 

Mistake #1 / Choosing the wrong shade of foundation

We know what you’re thinking... picking a foundation shade for your skin tone is makeup 101. But Laidlaw notes that it’s one of the most common mistakes she continues to see. Luckily, it’s a faux pas that’s easily remedied. When selecting a new foundation, there are a few key things to remember. First, make sure you’re in a well-lit area (outside in natural sunlight is ideal). Then, swipe a small amount of your chosen foundation shade from the middle of your cheek down to your jawline, before blending with your fingers. You’ll know you’ve chosen the right shade if the foundation disappears into your skin.

Mistake #2 / Overfilling your brows

While we love nothing more than a defined eyebrow, Laidlaw thinks the sharp and full brow trend has gone too far. “Oh, enough with the Geordie Shore eyebrow… if your eyebrows enter the room before you do, it’s time to be a bit lighter-handed.” Instead of opting for an intense brow look that often looks better on Instagram than it does in real life, try filling in the front of your brow with a powder that’s a shade lighter than your hairs, before using your normal pencil throughout the rest of your brow. This method will keep your arches looking natural and soft. Three of our favourite brow powders are L'Oréal Paris Brow Artist Genius Kit, Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder Duo and Rimmel London Brow This Way Eyebrow Powder Kit.

Mistake #3 / Having a heavy hand when contouring

According to Laidlaw, going overboard with your contouring products is a widespread mistake; instead of trying to subtly enhance the natural curves of the face, women are attempting to chisel their face into oblivion. “If your face has a brown line across it when you look at yourself in profile, then you’ve gone way too far,” she explains. If you tend to get carried away when contouring, we recommend starting off slow and with a light touch. This technique might take you longer than usual, but you’ll achieve a more effective and natural result. Continually stop and reassess your look to avoid overdoing it.

If you haven’t mastered the art of contouring just yet, learn everything you need to know with this in-depth cheat sheet.

Mistake #4 / Wearing too much highlighter

After seeing countless photos of celebrities all rocking on-point highlighter, we don’t blame you for wanting to recreate their dramatic glow. However, Laidlaw advises against this: “Strong highlighter looks good on stage or in a photo shoot, but it looks weird in Australian daylight. It’s important to remember that a little goes a long way.”   

To keep your highlighter looking natural, we suggest ditching the shimmery formulas and opting for ones that create a soft sheen instead (read: no glitter). Three of our favourite products that deliver a gorgeous glow (rather than an intense strobe) are Hourglass Ambient® Lighting Powder, LUMA On The Glow Highlighter and RMS Living Luminizer.

Looking for more makeup tips and tricks? Then check out six tips that will help you apply false lashes like a pro and discover the simple (yet incredibly effective) tips for achieving a flawless foundation finish.

Have you been making any of these makeup mistakes? Let us know in the comments below.

Main image credit: Getty