5 Common Makeup Mistakes and How to Fix Them

We’ve all been there—those moments when our makeup doesn’t turn out quite as we imagined. 

Whether it’s foundation that looks too heavy or eyeliner that smudges by midday, makeup mishaps happen to everyone. But the good news? Most of these common mistakes are easily fixable with the right techniques.

Uneven or Overdone Brows

The Mistake
Brows that are too heavy, uneven, or over-filled can overpower your face and make your makeup look unbalanced. Bold brows are in, but they need to complement your features.

The Fix
Use light, hair-like strokes when filling in your brows with a pencil or brow pen. Start by focusing on sparse areas and gradually build up intensity. For a natural look, brush through your brows with a spoolie to blend the product and soften any harsh lines. Stick to a shade that’s close to your natural brow colour or slightly lighter if you’re unsure. This will prevent them from looking too dark or harsh.

Smudged Eyeliner

The Mistake
Smudged eyeliner can take your look from sleek to a nightmare in no time. Whether it’s a pencil that won’t stay put or a liquid liner that transfers, smudging is a common issue, especially for those with oily eyelids.

The Fix
Start by using an eyeshadow primer on your lids before applying liner to help it stay in place. For pencil liners, set them with a matching eyeshadow to lock the product in. If you’re using liquid liner, opt for a waterproof formula to minimize smudging throughout the day.

Pro Tip - Keep oil blotting papers or setting powder handy to quickly touch up any smudges or shine around your eyes.

Applying Too Much Blush or Bronzer

The Mistake
Applying too much blush or bronzer can quickly go from a natural glow to a streaky mess. It's easy to get heavy-handed, especially if you're working with highly pigmented products or forgetting to tap off the excess powder.

The Fix
Grab a clean, fluffy brush or a damp beauty sponge and blend out the edges of the colour. If the color is still too intense, dust a little translucent powder over the area to tone it down. For cream products, gently pat over with your foundation brush or sponge to soften the edges without smudging your base.

Cakey Foundation

The Mistake
Foundation that looks heavy, flaky, or settles into fine lines can leave your skin looking cakey rather than smooth and radiant. Often, this happens when too much product is applied or if your skin is not properly prepped.

The Fix
Start with a well-moisturized face to ensure smooth application. Use a damp beauty sponge to apply your foundation in thin layers, building coverage gradually. If you notice cakiness forming, try buffing out the product with a clean, fluffy foundation brush, then finish with a light mist of setting spray to help melt the product into the skin, giving you a more natural finish.

Lipstick That Bleeds or Fades

The Mistake
Nothing is more frustrating than a bold lipstick that fades unevenly or bleeds outside the lip line. It can quickly turn a polished look into a messy one.

The Fix
Start by prepping your lips with a lip scrub and balm to smooth out any dry patches. Use a waterproof lip liner to outline your lips and prevent colour from bleeding. Fill in your lips with the liner as a base before applying your lipstick, and finish with a light dusting of translucent powder to set the colour.

If you’re looking to avoid these common mistakes and take your makeup game to the next level, check out our Makeup Essentials Digital Workbook or join us for a private or group makeup lesson! We share our easy-to-follow tips, expert advice, and step-by-step tutorials to help you master the basics and create flawless, everyday looks.