Makeup Missteps

Five common makeup blunders—and how not to fall victim to them

With the holiday party season kicking into high gear, you want to look your most glam. But as you take your makeup regimen into the new year, you may be committing a makeup foul—from passing out with your face on to overdoing it on the blush, they’re beauty affronts we’ve all been guilty of. Make a resolution to undo those bad habits, and prepare your skin for a gorgeous winter glow. We checked in with New York- and Milan-based makeup artist Kristen Arnett on how to fix pesky makeup mishaps.

Mistake: Not removing all your eye makeup.
Solution: We’ve all fallen asleep with remnants of eyeliner or mascara, but doing it on a regular basis means the particles left in your eye can cause irritation. “As the residue of what wasn’t removed is still there it makes you look tired, like there are dark circles under your eyes,” Arnett says. To keep eyes healthy and clean, use eye makeup remover (with either your pinky finger or cotton swabs) to get into the roots of your lashes where residue sits. A classic choice is Maybelline Expert Eyes Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover.

Mistake: Using too much foundation or powder.
Solution: “People tend to put way too foundation much around their eye area, which makes them look older,” Arnett says. To keep peepers youthful and bright, try to avoid the area. Use just a touch of coverage around the ocular bone if you need it. Arnett also advises against the compulsion to repowder throughout the day. Intended to hide a shiny face, when abused, this bad habit can actually make skin oiler. “It’s a recipe for disaster,” she says. Instead, rely on oil-blotting papers, like Boscia Fresh Blotting Linens. A great long-lasting foundation (try bareMinerals Matte SPF 15 Foundation) helps even out skin tone and prevent a shiny face.

Mistake: Wearing the wrong color blush.
Solution: Someone with a naturally pink or rosy complexion is lucky enough to get away without blush, but you especially want to avoid adding a pink color on top of your natural glow. “It you already have pink in your skin, especially in places you don’t want it (like rosacea or blemishes), using pink blush will only make you look more blotchy and red,” Arnett advises. Instead, use an orange or peach-toned blush with no pink undertones, like Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Blissful. Or lightly dust bronzer on your cheeks, which will add a lovely healthy glow.

Mistake: Trying too many colored eye shadows at once.
Solution: Bold color on the eyes can be a chic way to pep up the winter blahs. But instead of turning your lid into a rainbow of lime, gold, silver and purple, choose one hue. “The mistake is that people use color so overboard that it becomes costume-like,” Arnett says. Instead, play up your eyes with one sexy selection. For a daring palette, try a playful shade of mauve, royal blue, sea foam green or violet (not all at once!) in Cargo Eye Shadow Color Palette.

Mistake: Going overboard on glitter.
Solution: A little body bling can be a festive touch, but wearing it on your eyes, cheeks, lips, chest and shoulders makes you look less shimmery, more disco ball. “Don’t overdo the sparkle,” Arnett says. Too much twinkle tends to fly away and end up in places it shouldn’t be, like under your eyes or in wrinkle creases. Instead, Arnett suggests choosing one or two (at most) places for sparkle, like your eyes, shoulders or cheekbone.