Search

Foundation That Looks Cakey and Unnatural

When your foundation sits on top of your skin like a mask instead of blending seamlessly, it can ruin your whole makeup look. This often happens because you're using too much product or not preparing your skin properly. Start by washing your face and putting on moisturizer. Let it sink in for a few minutes. Then use a small amount of foundation – you can always add more if needed. Use your fingers, a damp makeup sponge, or a brush to pat and blend the foundation into your skin. Don't drag or swipe it across your face. This gentle patting motion helps the foundation become one with your skin instead of sitting on top of it.

Pro tip: If you notice your foundation looking cakey after you've applied it, spray your face lightly with water or facial mist, then gently press a clean makeup sponge over the areas that look heavy. This helps melt the product into your skin and remove any excess.

Smudged Eye Makeup That Raccoons Would Envy

You carefully apply your eye makeup in the morning, but by lunchtime, you look like you've been crying or haven't slept in days. This happens because oils from your skin and eyelids break down makeup throughout the day. The fix starts with eye primer – think of it like double-sided tape for your makeup. Put it on your eyelids before any eyeshadow or eyeliner. If you don't have eye primer, a tiny bit of concealer set with powder works too.

For eyeliner that stays put, try setting liquid or pencil liner with a matching eyeshadow color. Just use a small, flat brush to press the shadow over your liner. When it comes to mascara, waterproof formulas are great but can be hard to remove. Instead, try using a regular mascara and dust a little translucent powder over your lashes between coats. This helps prevent smudging without making removal a nightmare.

Lipstick That Disappears Faster Than Free Food in an Office

You apply your lipstick perfectly, but after one coffee and a sandwich, it's gone without a trace. To make your lipstick last longer, start with lip liner all over your lips, not just the edges. This gives your lipstick something to grip onto and helps prevent feathering. After applying your lipstick, place a single layer of tissue over your lips and lightly dust translucent powder over the tissue. The powder seeps through just enough to set your lipstick without making it look dry.

For extra staying power, try the sandwich method: lip liner, lipstick, blot with tissue, another layer of lipstick, tissue and powder. Yes, it takes a few extra minutes, but your lipstick will survive breakfast, lunch, and maybe even dinner. If you're eating something oily, try to keep it off your lips – oil breaks down lipstick faster than anything else.

Concealer That Creases Under Your Eyes

You try to cover your dark circles, but your concealer settles into fine lines and makes you look older instead of fresher. The problem usually starts with using too much product or the wrong type of concealer. First, hydrate your under-eye area with a good eye cream and let it absorb completely. Use a concealer that's creamy but not too thick – if it feels heavy going on, it will probably crease.

Apply concealer in thin layers, using your ring finger or a small brush. The warmth from your finger helps blend the product better. Start with a tiny amount in the darkest areas, usually the inner corner of your eye and right below it. Blend outward, and only add more if you really need it. Set the concealer immediately with a small amount of finely-milled powder, using a light tapping motion with your brush or sponge. Don't swipe or drag the powder on – this can move your concealer around and cause creasing.

Blush That Makes You Look Like a Clown (or Disappears Completely)

Finding the right balance with blush can feel impossible – too much and you look like you're running a fever, too little and why did you even bother? The key is building color gradually and choosing the right placement for your face shape. Start with a small amount of product on your brush, tap off the excess, and apply it to the apples of your cheeks (smile to find them). Blend upward and outward toward your temples.

If you've gone overboard with powder blush, don't try to wipe it off – this can make your face look patchy. Instead, use a clean powder brush to buff the color in circular motions, or layer a bit of translucent powder over it to tone it down. For blush that disappears quickly, try layering cream and powder blush. Put on a cream blush first, let it set for a minute, then lightly dust a similar-colored powder blush over top. This gives you the natural glow of cream products with the staying power of powder.

Remember, good makeup application takes practice and patience. Even professional makeup artists make mistakes sometimes. The difference is that they know how to fix them. Keep these solutions in mind, and don't be afraid to experiment to find what works best for your skin type and lifestyle. Sometimes the best way to learn is through trial and error – just maybe practice new techniques when you don't have anywhere important to be, just in case.

These common problems don't have to ruin your makeup routine. With the right techniques and a little practice, you can achieve a look that stays put and enhances your natural beauty. And if all else fails, remember that makeup wipes exist for a reason, and you can always start fresh!