I feel like once I reached 30, there are so many things I wish people would have been a tad bit more blunt with me about in my 20’s. Like my overly bleached hair or when my friends gave me an intervention about keeping my belly button ring a few years too long past college. I am not a makeup blogger but I do love products as you know. My bathroom is a testament to that, total product junkie. So here are a few pieces of advice that I am not living by and are making a big difference in my daily routine. Without further ado…..
10 Things to Stop Doing With Your Makeup Routine Right Now
Applying Concealer Wrong
Picture via
I used to always put my concealer on the “wrong” way until I discovered what contouring was all about. I’ve never completely mastered the full face HAC (especially on the nose….straight witchcraft) but it was a total eye-opening moment after I watched this video from Cara. Applying your concealer in a triangle like this brightens the entire face while spreading out the heavier product. Paired with the rest of your makeup it will make the application of concealer look more natural and highlighted.
Using Your Fingers to Put Makeup on
Think of everything you do with your hands on a daily basis, then imagine them swiping across your eyeshadow palette and onto your face. You are introducing all that is living on your hands into your makeup and onto your face. Plus, the oils from your face get into your products creating a build-up layer on top. You know what I’m talking about right? Then you almost have to scrape off the top layer to get to the goods underneath it. Stop using your fingers which leads me to my next point.
Not Using Appropriate Brushes
There is a brush for all things when it comes to makeup application for a reason. A concealer brush is very different than an eyeshadow brush. They really are not interchangeable. Get an angle brush for your darker colors for contouring. A fluffy brush to set and a good blush brush. My favorite brush set is the airbrush brushes from Sephora. They are worth the splurge and have lasted me years. I also have this ELF brush for contouring and it’s under $3 and does the job. Make sure you keep your brushes clean, I personally use this because it came in some kit I bought and it works well.
Completely Lining Your Lower Lash With Black
This picture seriously makes me cringe. What was I thinking? Black eyeliner should not be used to line from inner corner to outer corner on the lower lash line, stop. It makes your eyes look closed in, smaller, and it’s such a harsh look. If you can’t part with it completely, then line halfway and smudge so at least it’s a little softer.
See so much better and believable!
Putting Foundation on the Back of Your Hand
*Raises my hand*. I used to do this every single day. Like clockwork right? Take out foundation, squirt on the back of my left hand and dip my foundation brush onto my hand. You are wasting product and introducing all the junk that is on your skin onto your face and brushes. Plus, how many times do you wipe it off on the towels in your bathroom? I know you do. Lindsay introduced me to this genius hack and I feel like a painter with my palette every morning. I also like that I can mix lotions or other products in with it. Where has this been right? Here is another great option that is budget friendly and Amazon.
Not Priming or Setting Your Makeup
You live in the south and want to get your makeup to last the whole day in a 90-degree humidity swamp? You learn how to prime and set. Plus, primer allows a barrier between your skin and makeup. I personally like this one from Smashbox because it takes the redness out of my cheeks prior. I then buff a setting powder over to set it and eliminate shine (with this brush). To lock it all in and prevent the dreaded transfer of makeup onto clothing, spray this on top. It really works.
Sleeping With it On
There is no excuse to sleep with your makeup on anymore. I know sometimes I get so tired the thought of splashing water on my face is exhausting. Well, luckily I found this makeup eraser, have you finally gotten one yet? It is the best thing ever. It will take off red lipstick and waterproof makeup with just water. A lot of you asked how often I wash it and the answer is about once a week. I use the corners first and then work my way in. Wash and it’s back to new ready to rock again.
Using Old Makeup
If you can’t even read the brand on the side of the mascara or eyeliner stick…..it is time to get rid of it. Think of all the germs/bacteria/nastiness that is sitting on your product and then spreading it onto your eyes and onto your face. Anything that touches your eyes should not be older than 3 months. I usually buy mascaras in mini versions so that I never use it longer than a month or two (that was pre-lash extensions) but it was a great rule of thumb to live by.
Not Changing up Your Look
Don’t be afraid to try that bold lip!
I am guilty of this. There are definite staples of everyone’s makeup look but don’t be afraid to try a bolder lip or darker tones during the changes of the season. Try switching up your trusty black liner with a deep purple or navy. Add a subtle shimmer or micro glitter shadow for the holidays. Makeup should be fun, expressive, and something that you should be experimenting with. Think about how you feel when you get a new lipstick or eyeshadow. It is a total mood changer.
Not Buying That One Splurge
Everyone should have that one product that makes you feel like a million bucks when you wear it. Splurge on that one mascara that makes your lashes look like falsies and you feel incredibly sassy when you put it on. Buy that highlighter that brightens up your face and gives you the glow. My biggest splurges are my NARS bronzer and lipsticks. Say yes to that one product that is a cult classic for a reason. You will feel special and put together every time you swipe it on. Plus, they are usually in the prettiest packaging right? They just instantly put you in a better mood.
[bctt tweet=”10 Things to Stop Doing With Your Makeup Right Now” username=”meetatthebarre”]
There you go, some of my recommendations of things you should stop doing with your makeup right now. I should tell you that during the week, my makeup consists of swiping on foundation and sweeping whatever leftover bronzer is left in my brush over my face when I’m running out the door. However, I am a firm believer in the powers of how makeup can make you feel. Isn’t there no better feeling than freshly washed hair and a skillfully applied face of makeup? Get out of the way, we have our A game on today! What things did you stop doing with your makeup that you used to do? Do you use brushes for your makeup or swipe on with your finger pads? What is your number one favorite makeup product do you own? I’d love to hear what you can’t live without!
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All of these are wonderful tips girl! Yes to the right brushes and not putting your foundation on your hand. Makes such a huge difference! And the only time I line my lower lashes completely in black now is when I’m going for a super smokey eye…which is almost never haha!
I read, and learned a lonnnng time ago about eyeliner. I feel like if I rim the whole eye, I look way puffy. I usually use brown, go halfway and smudge. I am also really bad about using the right brushes – whoops. Great tips!
I used to do the whole line my whole eye thing, and looking back on pictures I wonder what in the world was wrong with me! It looked so terrible, and it closed off my eyes so much! These are all great tips! I also really love the one about splurging on something that makes you feel special :)
oh god I put my foundation on the back of my hand….every morning!! guess who’s buying a pallette…this girl
These are all great tips!! And I’ve totally been putting on concealer the wrong way lol. Guilty!
xo, Kristina
Medicine & Manicures
I am so guilty of the putting foundation on my hand! Ordering that palette NOW!
Oh, the bottom eyeliner. Aka years of my pictures. They make me cringe!
I’m totally guilty of using the back of my hand, ha! Although I do wash my hands before I start my makeup, still. I love that palette from Amazon- so cool!
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
I’m cracking up – I cringe at all photos of myself from high school because I used to do the same thing with black eyeliner on my lower waterline. Except, I didn’t even put it on the top lash line. Nope, just the bottom. Not a good look AT ALL. I’m definitely still guilty of some of these – foundation on the back of the hand, using my ring finger to apply my first eye shadow color – but I probably should try to stop doing those things. You have a good point about all the bacteria! At least I wash my hands before and after. :)
I use my fingers to put on my foundation because I haven’t bought a new foundation brush haha. Also my beauty blender doesn’t work well with my current foundation. I do put my concealer on the right way though! :-) Thank you for sharing your tips and love the old photos too haha. :-)
Back of the hand person right here, that cheaper version is going in my cart on amazon stat. Oh dear, I am so glad you came over to the old lady side, you are so much more beautiful with your natural look, as we all need to learn! Youth really is wasted on the young! Thanks for these tips!
Yes to all of these! Years ago I never used primer or a setting spray/powder…literally life changing products!! I love the Smashbox primer, but the price is too much for that, I use Elf and LOVE it, the quality of it is just as good! I also agree on the whole allow yourself to splurge on cult classics, there’s a reason why they are favorites!
Hahaha ok so I still totally put foundation on the back of my hand every morning. Oops. But I am not guilty of the rest of the stuff so I see that as a win, right? I cringe anytime someone tells me that they dont wash their face at night. Why oh why would you do that to your poor skin??? And I am an advocate of keeping your brushes and sponges clean all of the time. And I don’t line under my eyes at all.
I’m laughing so hard at some of these and about to go clean out my makeup drawers later because I have stuff that is way too old and I am way too old for that nonsense! So many great tips and I am so glad you love the palette!!!!
LOVE the Sephora brushes, I think you are actually who introduced me to them!
Amen sister! I was totally guilty of lining my lower lashline in my early twenties. Yikes!
I’m so guilty of most of these, and mind blown on the correct way to apply concealer! Hides in corner in shame as I admit that I only just removed my belly button ring in my 8th month of pregnancy as it looked ridiculous! :-P
Green Fashionista
my belly ring fell out when i was like 20 or 21 and i never replaced it, and i am SO thankful haha. i definitely use my fingers because i just prefer to, though i know it’s bad. i have brushes and sponges, and i do use them, but for every day like bb creams, i use my fingers. but can we please sign a petition or something to make the black liner on the lower eyelid STOP? i know this one girl who literally does it every day and i saw her once without it and i was like YOU LOOK AMAZING but she didn’t get the hint. sigh.
Love these tips! I’m definitely going to check out that video on contouring!
Can I just go ahead and admit that I think I’m STILL guilty of several of these??? Maybe overbleaching my hair still…definitely not apply concealer correctly…and several others. I’m too old to be acting like this!!!!
Yes to all of these! And I totally believe in splurging on at least ONE product. I have a Chanel lipstick that makes me feel like a million bucks!
Love this post! Great tips Amanda!
Love this!! Great tips & I love that you share your pictures of when your makeup wasn’t as fab as it is today. We ALLLLLLL have those. I’m a natural brunette and used to be platinum blonde and super tan…..ugh, all those years. Ha! I’m a foundation on the back of my hand gal, and am also so glad you recommended that palette. My favorite makeup tip is….. paper towel! I learned this from one of my girlfriends and it might seem a bit wasteful — however — I have acne prone skin and after cleaning my beauty blender – I use the paper towel or since touching my face with bare hands is a no-no, paper towel or…multiple other uses for makeup application and cleansing. I keep a roll in the bathroom now and it comes in handy all the flippin’ time.
I never did the makeup on the back on my hand thing – didn’t even know that was a “thing”! And the black eyeliner ALWAYS made me cringe. Believe it or not, in my teens and 20’s I was always made up, dressed up and had heels on, so I knew (I think I can still say “know” in the present tense) how to apply makeup that makes eyes pop and looks pretty. But I def used to put concealer on wrong! Like, up until about a year and a half ago. Oops.
I adore these tips. I love changing up my lip and blush color and honestly i am so using the back of my hand!! totally need to stop that ASAP! haha! Thanks for this awesomeness!!
Such a great post! I literally put foundation on the back of my hand every single morning lol – need to get my hands on a palette asap! ;)
I’m the world’s worst about throwing away make up. I always think that I’ll use it… or it was expensive… or.. or.. or… I can find a million reasons to talk myself out of throwing it away… but then I won’t actually use it for the reason you mentioned. LOL The struggle indeed!