Makeup Mistakes: Lessons Learned

Salmonella. A simple word, a word we don’t often like to hear (especially in a makeup post…?). But for me, it’s a word that changed the way I looked at things and humbled me quite a bit.

Because recently, I’ve learned that I’ve been mispronouncing it my whole life.

My husband picked up on it a few months ago. Apparently I’ve been adding an extra a sound between the l and m. Embarrassing, right? Even more embarrassing when you’re an English teacher.

Have you ever found out in adulthood that you’ve been doing something wrong, saying something wrong, or thinking something wrong your life? Salmonella is just one of my examples.

The other example? Makeup, of course.

This summer was my summer of makeup experimentation. My friend Jamie got me hooked on Urban Decay eyeshadow and, along with it, eyeshadow tutorial videos. Holy smokes have I been doing it wrong! This summer, I’ve learned a lot about things I’ve been doing wrong all of my makeup wearing years. Check out my list so maybe you can avoid my makeup mistakes.

One eyeshadow brush doesn’t cut it.

I never spend my money on brushes, opting to use the ones that come free in kits. Wow, this was a mistake. After watching Youtube videos, I realized how many different eyeshadow brushes there are. I’d been using the flat brush my whole life, swiping on the shadow in quick sweeps. Now, I’ve bought the It cosmetics blending brush. Where has this been all my life? No wonder I could never get the model eyeshadow look down. This brush seriously is worth the $14 at Ulta. It changed everything about my eyeshadow

Don’t sweep your eyeshadow on; use circles and pats.

After watching the videos, I realized that circular motions work in th crease and patting the shadow in on your lid makes it look so much better.

Don’t just slap highlighter on your whole face; contouring actually works!

I used to just dust Bare Minerals radiance all over my face. Oops. Now, I’ve learned that a few simple contouring tricks really does make your makeup look so much better. I’ve mastered where to put the highlighting products to really give my face the pop it needs.

Don’t be afraid of a bold lip

I always avoided reds, plums, and hot pinks, afraid of looking old or like the 1980s. Now, though, I’ve realized that a bold lip can change your whole vibe. Don’t have time for makeup? Just slap on some bright lipstick, and you instantly look better.

Use a neutral base color shadow all over you lids as a foundation.

I learned this on Youtube. After eyeshadow primer, do a coat of a neutral shade of eyeshadow over your entire lid. This makes your shadow colors so much easier to blend!

I’m still perfecting the contouring and the eyeshadow, but wow, I’m glad I’ve learned the err in my ways :) How about you? Any mistakes you’ve learned about? Any tips you’d like to share?