14 DAY TRIAL // Looking good is often a question of makeup, so applying it perfectly and avoiding blunders that can make us blush is essential, stylists say. Some of the mistakes women make most often are related to how they use self-tan lotions, their choice of foundation and how they pluck their eyebrows. Luckily, all these blunders can be avoided with just a little patience and more attention to details, as makeup artists tell the Daily Mail.
For starters, the much-dreaded orange self-tan, a mistake even celebrities make from time to time. Applying a self-tan lotion at home can often result in tangerine streaks that seem to take ages to wash off and that are, most importantly, extremely difficult to hide. A solution to that would be, of course, not applying tan at all but, for those looking to have Sun-kissed skin at all times, there is also the option of going about it more carefully.
Self-tan expert Nichola Joss tells the Mail that the best way to steer clear of tangerine streaks is to exfoliate before applying the lotion. A body polisher and an exfoliating mitt are all we need to remove the dead skin cells and create “a blank canvas” for the tanning lotion. If we still end up with unsightly streaks, we shouldn’t despair because that too can be easily taken care of, Joss says. “If you do end up with streaks or orange palms, you can remove them up to four hours after application.” she shares.
Moving on to the face, another common mistake concerns the choice of foundation. To avoid the caked-up appearance, the first thing we must see to is the right shade of foundation because the wrong tone can make even the best complexion and the best product look bad. “I always tell women to run – not walk – from any foundation that looks pink or too white. Even if you’re extremely pale, those shades can look chalky and old-fashioned. Foundation should be used to even out the skin tone, not create a new one.” makeup artist Bobbi Brown says for the publication.
“I recommend having two foundations – one for the winter months, when your skin is naturally paler, and one for the summer months, when your skin is slightly darker. Yellow-based foundation gives the most natural look. It blends beautifully into the skin, making it look fresh and healthy, which is exactly what a great foundation should do.” she further explains, stressing the importance of choosing a foundation that is as close as possible to the natural skin tone.
Thick brows are all the rage this season, but many women still prefer theirs as thin lines because they better suit their face. In case of over-plucking, the solution is to encourage the hairs to grow back, while also making sure we hide the visible gaps from the untrained eye, Rekha Joshi, threading expert, says for the Mail. “If you’re left with gaps, you must try to grow your eyebrows back, but this could take five to ten weeks. To help speed up the process, try applying almond oil or castor oil each night. Try to keep them tidy in between by threading stray ones around the natural and original shape of brows.” Joshi advises.
Covering the gaps until the hairs grow back is also essential to look as good as possible when going out. So, “if you’re impatient, try filling in the patchy areas with a soft brow pencil. Use light feathery strokes starting at the end nearest your nose, working outwards.” Joshi concludes by saying.