Common makeup mistakes (and how to fix them)
The most common makeup mistakes are an unmatched foundation shade, too much powder, harsh unblended lines, over-plucked or over-drawn brows and skipping skin prep. Almost all of them come down to product or pressure in the wrong place — and each one has a quick, repeatable fix you can do at home.
Wrong foundation shade (the most common one)
This is the mistake I correct most. People match foundation to the back of their hand or buy a shade that looks right in store lighting, then end up grey, orange or with a tidemark at the jaw. The fix is to match undertone first, depth second:
| What you see | What’s wrong | The fix |
|---|---|---|
| Ashy or grey | Cool foundation on warm skin | Move to a warmer or neutral undertone |
| Orange by midday | Too dark, or oxidising | Go a shade lighter and set the base |
| Line at the jaw | Doesn’t match your neck | Match to your neck and chest, blend down |
Swatch on your jaw, not your hand, and check it in daylight at a window before you commit.
Too much powder
Powder is meant to set shine, not coat the whole face. Piling it on — especially over oil through the day — is what makes makeup look cakey and ages the skin in photos. Use a light hand only where you actually get shine (usually the T-zone), and refresh with blotting papers rather than fresh powder. This is the difference between a base that looks like skin and one that looks like a mask, and it’s central to how I build special-occasion makeup that lasts a whole evening.
Harsh, unblended lines
Visible edges are what make makeup read as “done”: a stripe of blush, a hard contour line, a sharp border where foundation stops. Everything on the face should fade into the next thing.
- Blend foundation edges down past the jaw with a damp sponge
- Buff blush and contour in circles until there’s no start or finish
- Tap, don’t drag, concealer so it melts rather than sits
- Soften any eyeshadow line with a clean fluffy brush
A clean, slightly damp brush is the most underrated tool you own — it diffuses almost any harsh line.
Over-doing the brows and lashes
Two small areas that change the whole face. Over-plucked or heavily drawn-in brows look hard and date a look; gluing on lashes that are too long or too dense overwhelms the eye. Aim for brushed-up brows filled with light, hair-like strokes, and choose a lash that suits the occasion rather than the most dramatic one in the box. For a polished but natural finish, a wispy half-lash usually beats a full strip.
Skipping skin prep
The mistake underneath all the others. Makeup applied over thirsty, flaky or oily skin breaks down faster and clings to every dry patch — no product fixes that afterwards. Cleanse, hydrate and let your moisturiser absorb before primer, and balm your lips early. Well-prepped skin is why a professional finish lasts; it’s the same approach I use on location, whether I’m getting a client ready in Fremantle or out in the Swan Valley.
Fix these five and your everyday makeup jumps a level. And if it’s for something that matters, I’m happy to do it for you — special-occasion makeup starts from $150, and a travel fee may apply depending on your location.
