Why Your Makeup Doesn't Look Good Enough

You're Not Taking Good Care Of Your Skin

A great makeup look begins with good skin, so make sure you're looking after yours. Develop a cleansing regime and stick to it, and if you find you're having trouble with acne, rosacea, or any other skin condition, don't be afraid to visit a doctor or dermatologist for advice. There's no need to suffer in silence.

Then, prep your skin before you begin applying makeup. Ideally, you should moisturise a few minutes before applying makeup, giving your moisturiser time to sink in. Moisturised skin will hold product better, without dry, flaky patches. If you have oily skin, don't skip this step, just use a light, oil-free moisturiser.

Also, consider a primer. They may seem like an unnecessary extra step, but not only can they target specific skin concerns (like excess oil or redness), but they also create a perfectly smooth base for makeup and help extend staying power. Eye primers have a tint and work like a foundation on the eyes so colours appear brighter and more even, brilliant if you're using a bright or light colour.

You're Using the Wrong Colours

We've all succumbed to trends that don't suit us, and this extends to makeup. But not every colour suits every skin tone. One person's perfect red lipstick may wash out the next person to try it.

Finding out your skin's undertone is the first step to choosing colours to suit. If you're a lucky neutral, you may be able to pull off most things, but the rest of us will need to adapt. That doesn't mean you shouldn't experiment, but don't wear something you know washes you out just because it's popular.

Expired Cosmetics 

The expiration date on your cosmetics isn't just there to con you into buying more makeup. Though some products may last longer than advertised (usually powders), in general makeup expiration dates are worth paying attention to, especially when it comes to liquids that go around the sensitive eye area. We're talking about  mascara! An old mascara tube is not only a breeding ground for germs but it's also more likely to clump and flake. As soon as you open that tube, the product inside starts to lose moisture. Remember how lovely it feels to open a fresh mascara and glide on the smooth liquid formula? You owe yourself that treat. If your mascara isn't finished after three months, bin it and buy a new one.

You're Using the Wrong Tools

If you are still using the sponge applicators that you sometimes get in eye shadow palettes, do yourself a favour and throw them away. They make applying makeup harder, not easier. Why brands continue to produce these is a mystery when anyone who's stumbled across a YouTube tutorial knows that makeup brushes are the key to a better result.

You're Forgetting About the Details

When we first experiment with makeup as teenagers, we probably reached for eye makeup and lipstick first. And those probably remained the main constituents of a look for most of us ever since. But when you want a more pulled-together look (especially for big occasions like weddings and parties), the real key to a polished look is what I call the "three Bs": base, blusher, and brows.

Firstly we have base, and by this I really mean any combination of primer, foundation, powder, and/or concealer depending on your preference. Not everyone likes or needs a full face of foundation, but creating a good base for the rest of your makeup is key to a good result. Even if you just slick some primer on your eyelids, you'll benefit from it!

Then comes blusher, the most maligned makeup item by newbies, but one of the best. Trust me when I say that even if you think you don't need blusher, you do. It's a miracle worker and makes you look younger, more awake, and more polished.

Finally, brows. Good brows have the ability to completely shape the face, and with the current trend for big and bold brows in full swing. Start as you mean to go on by visiting a salon for a shape and tint  and pick up a pencil, powder, or pomade to help fill in gaps and shape your brows. You'll be blown away with what a power brow will do to your finished face. Embrace it!

You're Using the Wrong Formulas

Lip colour doesn't have to come in a stick, eye colour doesn't have to be a powder, and most base products, blushers, and bronzers come in a huge number of different formulas. So how do you know which one to pick?

In general, powders are more drying and mattifying and work better on oilier skin, while liquids and creams can help hydrate dry skin. Bear this in mind when picking foundation in particular.

But it's about the final result, too. Powders (especially things like eye shadow and blusher) allow you to gently blend and build up colour with precision. Cream formulas tend to give a more youthful, dewy effect (which is why a slightly shimmery cream eye shadow is a must for older skins). They don't require exact application, making them good for beginners, and often look best applied with the fingers, which is good news if your budget doesn't reach to 15 new brushes.

Gels and pomades are often the hardest to work with, but they also give the most long-lasting results. If you can master gel liner and brow pomade, you can re-create those picture-perfect Instagram makeup looks yourself. Until you do, soft pencils are a little more forgiving.