30 Makeup Mistakes to Stop Making in 2015 (Part One)

2015 is the year to take charge of your makeup routine and cut out those little mishaps that can lead to less-than-ideal results. Your appearance can say a lot about your attitude, so it’s time to start cleaning up your makeup act! Here are the first 15 makeup mistakes you need to stop making in 2015. 1. Wearing the wrong shade of foundation is so 2014. Treat yourself to a nicer brand that won’t clog your pores, and visit your local beauty store to get a professional opinion on what shade to grab. We can tell when you’re wearing a shade too dark because your neck is a different color…not ideal! 2. Stop applying makeup to dry skin. Invest in a good moisturizer so your skin is always silky smooth and ready for foundation. 3. Blush comes in different shades too! Ask a cosmetologist which shade is best for your skin tone for a natural, flushed look that isn’t too obnoxious. 4. Stop applying bronzer on your entire face. Just like using the wrong shade of foundation, this makeup no-no can make your face and neck two completely different colors. Work to apply bronzer only to the cheeks, temple and nose, or for contouring. 5. Clean your brushes! If you’ve never cleaned your makeup brushes before, you’re in for a big surprise when a muddy, dark liquid starts pouring out of them when they’re run under the faucet. Put a dab of shampoo on each brush and lightly massage it under cold water under it runs clear on a weekly basis. Dirty brushes leave your skin filled with bacteria and more prone to blemishes. 6. Start switching your makeup seasonally. When the weather is warmer, switch to waterproof mascaras and cream eyeshadows to keep things from running from sweat. 7. Change your foundation with the seasons. If you tan, your foundation may change a few shades in the sunnier months. 8. Stop testing colors on the back of your hand. The skin on your hands tends to have more redness, so the colors can be misleading. Instead, test foundations and eyeshadows on your cheeks for a more true-to-tone color. 9. Just like you wouldn’t buy a pair of jeans just by holding them up to your waist, you shouldn’t buy expensive makeup without trying it on first. Most beauty stores have samples of every product, so take your time and test it out because it almost always looks different on than it does in the bottle. 10. Prime your face! Your makeup will stay on much longer and look fresher if you use a foundation and eyeshadow primer. It may seem like an unnecessary cost, but you’ll love the feeling of having picture-perfect makeup all day long without any touch-ups. 11. Don’t use a concealer shade that’s lighter than your skin tone. Many people believe you can hide under-the-eye bags this way, but it really only brings attention to them, like a highlighting foundation would. 12. Don’t over-powder. Too much powder foundation throughout the day can look cakey, so make sure you have oil blotting papers to keep things fresh all day long. 13. Don’t powder in the wrong places. Unless powder is the only foundation you need, try not swirling it all over your face – keep it in the T-Zone. 14. While the brow trend lately is dark and bold, if you prefer a tamer look, buy a brow pencil one shade lighter than your actual brows. This will make them appear natural but still finished. 15. Don’t get stuck in a rut! Makeup options are endless, so visit your local beauty store and treat yourself to a new lipstick or shadow palette every once in a while to mix things up. Check out the blog next week for the other 15 tips!