Fashion

Pro Makeup Hacks For Correcting 9 Common Mistakes

by Erin Reimel

Most of us haven't had the privilege of going to school to become a makeup artist, so there's a chance that your beauty routine is harder than it needs to be. On most mornings, I know it would be a lot easier to get my eyeliner even if I just had an expert by my side. Luckily, there are easy fixes for many of your beauty woes — you'll just need some inspiration and professional tips for correcting your makeup mistakes.

If you've been doing your makeup the same way since high school, you might want to think about tailoring your beauty routine to better suit your look and lifestyle. Whether you need to experiment with primer, switch up your go-to red lipstick for something that matches your undertones a bit more, or swap your heavy powder for a highlighter cream, you can find makeup experts all over the internet to guide the way.

Look no further for the best professional tips, so you can ditch any outdated habits and start applying your makeup flawlessly. Pretty soon, your friends will be asking if you took a cosmetology class or two.

Choose A Foundation Color By Testing It On Your Neck & Chest

Cargo Liquid Foundation , $36, Amazon

Makeup artist Lisa Eldridge says the best way to make your foundation look natural is to make sure it doesn't just match the skin on your face, it needs to match your neck and chest, too. This oil-free Cargo Liquid Foundation comes in a wide range of colors, so you can find the easily layered foundation in a shade that works for you. Its package is slim and portable, and because of its squeeze-out top, the application is super hygienic.

Moisturize With Vitamin E For Flawless Finish

AHAVA Essential Day Moisturizer, $42, Amazon

Dry skin is no good for professional-quality makeup application, which makes AHAVA Essential Day Moisturizer the ideal match. It's lightweight, but it packs a powerful punch with hydrating vitamin E that improves skin's elasticity. Makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury swears by regular moisturizing to keep skin hydrated and makeup looking natural. She says, many times, what you think are age lines or imperfections, are actually just caused from temporary dehydration and dried-out skin.

Find The Right Red Using Lip Undertones

Stila Color Balm Lipstick , $22, Amazon

Not every red is meant for every skin tone. Luckily, this peppermint oil-infused Stila Color Balm Lipstick comes in a bunch of different red tones, so you can find one with cool or warm undertones that work for you. This creamy pigment has a slight shine, and users say the minty tingle creates plump, hydrated lips. James Vincent, artist and director for Ardency Inn, says, "If you want to find the perfect red for your complexion, try applying one lip color that has the same undertone as your complexion all over the lip."

Ditch Dark Liner To Open Up Eyes

LORAC Front of the Line Pro Eye Pencil in Nude, $20, Amazon

When it comes to doing eye makeup, there's often a question of what kind of liner will look best. Professional makeup artist Susmta Patel says, "Here is a general rule: Dark colors shrink and recede. Light colors advance and bring forward." To brighten your eyes, this waterproof nude eye pencil is ideal for the waterline. It opens up your eyes by canceling out redness — making the whites of your eyes look even bigger than they already are.

Fully Blend Your Foundation, Especially Down Your Neck

Real Techniques Expert Face Brush, $6, Amazon

Makeup artist Gita Bass advises blending your foundation all over so you don't end up with any harsh lines. Take your foundation down your neck with the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush. It was designed by pro makeup artists Samantha and Nicola Chapman, so its hand-cut hair provides a streak-free, natural finish — no more awkward lines.

Before You Conceal, Color Correct

Morphe Concealer Palette, $20, Amazon

The pros don't just put some concealer on that matches their skin tone, they correct the color before covering it up. Kevin James Bennet says, "serious darkness under the eyes requires more than just a concealer, you need color correction." This Morphe Concealer Palette has all the colors you need to fix everything from hyperpigmentation to redness.

Exfoliate & Hydrate Lips Before Applying Pigment

Sara Happ The Lip Scrub, $23, Amazon

Guerlain celebrity makeup artist Marcus Monson says, “Matte lipsticks are really on-trend, but your lips need to be in the proper nourished condition to wear them.” He says exfoliating and following up with a lip balm will get your lips in the shape they need to be to pull off that statement lip. This Sara Happ lip scrub is made with brown sugar and grape seed oil to give you flake-free lips. Just rub it in small circles along your lips, and they'll feel totally smooth and refreshed.

Apply a Cream Highlighter Before Your Foundation For a Natural Glow

Jouer Highlighter, $22, Amazon

If you want to look "lit from within," makeup artist Troy Jensen suggests applying a highlighter to your cheekbones and other high points of your face before your foundation. That way, you look like your skin is glowing from underneath your makeup. This Jouer Highlighter has a creamy texture that's sheer enough to give you a gorgeous sheen, without looking unnatural.

Prime Your Lids To Keep Shadows Fade-Free

theBalm Put A Lid On It Eyelid Primer, $16, Amazon

Amy Zdunowski-Roeder, who does Kristen Wiig and Kate Mara's makeup, says, "An eye primer is particularly important to keep the eye shadow from creasing and getting into fine lines." So why do we tend to forget to apply it? A little bit of this eyelid primer is perfect because it dries quickly and has light-reflecting particulars to make your eyes really stand out.

Bustle may receive a portion of sales from products purchased from this article, which was created independently from Bustle's editorial and sales departments.

Images: Pexels; Amazon (9)