Beauty That Works Against You
Why is it that whenever you think you look put-together enough, you flip down your car visor mirror and see something totally different? Or worse: you get the not-so-great comments from your friends and family, telling you, "Hey, you've got a little something on your teeth." Beauty is personal, of course, and there's nothing wrong with experimenting with new styles. But if you want to put your best face forward, make sure you're not committing any of these bad beauty mistakes.
1. Sharpie-Looking Brows
Sorry, but this isn't 2016 anymore. If you're still filling in your brows until they look unnaturally dark, those Sharpie-looking caterpillars can dominate your entire face. Even worse is if you have a squared-off beginning and no gradient.
2. Wearing Extremely Thick Eyeliner
Eyeliner can help define your eyes, but if you've messed up your wing, you're better off starting over. Otherwise, if the line is abnormally thick, or the same width from the inner corner all the way outward, don't be surprised if others do a double take.
3. Letting False Lashes Reach Your Eyebrows
Those extra-long false lashes may photograph well, but they probably don't suit an everyday look. Plus, they can create a heavy shadow over the eyes and be pretty distracting during face-to-face conversations.
4. Ashy or Gray-Toned Concealer
You probably know not to choose a foundation or concealer that's too dark or light for your skin, but what about undertones? If you're not careful, you might end up with one that oxidizes and leaves a grayish, ashy cast. It'll be particularly noticeable under the eyes, where your skin is thinner and discolorations are more apparent.
5. Going Overboard with Lip Liner
Overlining can make lips appear fuller, but deliberately drawing a line beyond your natural border can get you some not-so-great looks. Even if it looks natural straight-on, it might look wonky from the side. The effect can be especially pronounced around the corners and Cupid’s bow, where your real lip shape is easier to see.
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6. Wearing Clumpy Mascara
Those dark lashes, again, might photograph well, but adding coat after coat of mascara can eventually make your lashes look weirdly clumpy than naturally full. If you don't want to scare others away, make sure you keep a lash comb on hand!
7. Skincare Pilling Underneath Makeup
We get it: sometimes you can go overboard with the prep. But while skincare is great, applying too much or mixing the wrong ingredients together can make them ball up and pill on the skin's surface. You can imagine how much worse it gets if you put makeup on top of this pilled residue.
8. Too Much Fragrance
A signature scent can add a lovely personal touch, but it's an entirely different story if you're spraying on too much. Strong fragrance can even trigger headaches or sensitivities in people nearby, so you wouldn't even just be getting odd stares, but angry ones!
9. Packing Highlighter Everywhere
Too much of a good thing can also be a bad thing, and unfortunately for glitter lovers, the same applies to highlighter as well. While it can add a nice glow, dusting your entire face with this highly reflective product can become overwhelming under strong light. Textured or metallic formulas may even emphasize your pores and uneven skin.
10. Lipstick on Your Teeth
That lipstick shade might be nice, but it won't look as nice if it's all over your teeth. Unfortunately, the darker and creamier the formula, the more likely it'll migrate after application. If you're ever wondering why people are looking at you strangely every time you smile, you might want to check the mirror.
11. Ignoring Peeling Nail Polish
You don't need a perfect manicure, but you should also make sure it's not looking severely neglected. If your polish is chipped across several fingers, you're better off removing it altogether and letting your natural nails do the work.
12. Unaddressed Root Regrowth
You won't always have time to address root regrowth, but you still shouldn't let it go for months. That stark, two-toned effect will definitely get some heads turning, and not in a good way! If you're thinking of growing your natural color out, try wearing a hat in the meantime.
13. Piling Dry Shampoo
Ever sprayed on dry shampoo and had to deal with those annoying flakes in your hair? Well, continuing to pile on more of the stuff without properly working it through your locks will only make it worse. On darker hair, that residue might show up as gray or chalky patches, too.
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14. Dry, Cracked Lips Under Lipstick
If your lips are already dry, putting on lipstick isn't going to magically hide away those flakes. In fact, it'll only bring more attention to them, since the color will settle unevenly into every crack. The result is rougher-looking lips—the opposite of the kissable pucker you want.
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15. Overprocessed Hair with Visible Damage
More than just leaving your root regrowth untouched, you'll also look pretty unkempt if your locks are visibly damaged and overprocessed. No one wants to see brittle, straw-like strands! Instead of trying to hide it with certain hairstyles, go get yourself a trim.
16. Using Way Too Much Hair Gel
Slick styles can be fashionable, but too much gel can sometimes leave your hair looking oddly stiff or wet. Plus, there's the aftermath: flaking can also develop when you put too much product along the hairline. If you're going to use gel, less is more.
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17. Making Your Blush Look Like Two Circles
Obviously, you're probably well-versed enough with makeup that you wouldn't make such an amateur mistake as this, but you'd be surprised how little blending some people do. Stronger shades like pinks and reds also make this mistake much more noticeable, especially when applied with a heavy hand, so don't let that be you.
18. Applying Makeup Over Obviously Flaking Skin
The same way you shouldn't apply lipstick to chapped lips or put foundation over pilling skincare, you should avoid makeup altogether when your skin is dry. Heavy layers or matte formulas will only emphasize the texture underneath, so by adding more, you'll draw more attention to those areas.
19. Letting Makeup Build Up Around Your Hairline
Whether it's bronzer or foundation, always make sure to blend, blend, blend. Otherwise, you'll have to deal with unsightly buildup that may create a darker band around the edge of your face. That unblended product can also rub off on hats and clothes.
20. Applying Too Much Brow Gel
You don't want the 2016-Sharpie brows, but you also don't want to go too heavy-handed with the clear gel on your natural hairs, either. Once the product dries, it can become shiny or flaky, making the styling product more noticeable than your actual brows. As with most things, less is more!
