10 Makeup Habits To Avoid, According to Experts

Makeup trends are constantly changing, but there are a few tried and true rules that will always apply. In fact, there are a few common bad makeup habits experts see most often, which are entirely in your power to quit. You may not even realize these sneaky habits have made their way into your routine, or you may not think they're actually harmful. But there are some easy fixes to make sure your makeup is on point.

If you're used to storing your makeup in your bathroom, it might be time to reconsider your storage situation in order to keep your products fresh. If you've been putting off buying a set of nice makeup brushes because your fingers do the trick, you're going to want to invest in some shadow brushes to make sure your lines look as amazing as possible. And if you haven't been reapplying SPF to your face throughout the day because you don't want to ruin your makeup, you need to keep a setting spray for mid-day touchups in your bag that protects your skin. It's easy to let little bad habits work their way into your life, so thankfully the experts are ready to clear up any uncertainty you might have.

Goopy Sunscreen Messes Up Makeup, So Get SPF Protection From Setting Spray

Coola Suncare Face SPF 30 Makeup Setting Spray Green Tea and Aloe, $36, Amazon

After applying SPF under your makeup, it's easy to to forget to reapply. Plus, you don't want to ruin your look with globs of sunscreen. The Coola Suncare's sun protection setting spray is ideal for touching up throughout the day after your initial SPF application, dermatologist Dr. Jessica Weiser told Refinery29. It has a matte finish with cucumber and aloe vera extracts to soothe, cool, and refresh your skin. And that SPF 30 will keep your face protected from harmful UV rays all day long.

Scented Products Irritate Skin, So Opt for Fragrance-Free Coverage

Coty Airspun Loose Powder in Translucent, $12, Amazon

"Fragrance is protected under international [Intellectual Property] law; it is known as a beauty and trade secret, so people don’t have to disclose the ingredients that go into [it]," Beautycounter CEO Gregg Renfrew told Elite Daily. This means that makeup products with fragrances in them could possibly have irritating ingredients you can't find on the label. Instead of taking the risk, opt for products without fragrances, like Coty's translucent powder. It's a microspun powder that blends with any skin tone and gives a soft, matte finish free of shine.

You're Not Consistent With Primer, But Soothing Formulas Work Year-Round

theBalm TimeBalm Face Primer, $27, Amazon

Even if you're not outside sweating in the summer sun, your makeup still needs primer as a base. Celebrity makeup artist Stephen Dimmick told the Huffington Post that this step saves you time, regardless of the weather outside. This face primer has vitamins A, C, and E to protect your skin from free radicals while it keeps your makeup looking fresh all day. It also has allantoin and bioflavonoid to soothe your stressed skin, so everything looks smooth and natural.

You Have Trouble Blending Shadows, But The Right Brushes Make It Easy

real Techniques Starter Set, $11, Amazon

If you're used to applying makeup with your fingers, you may want to reconsider. "Not merging colors and failing to diffuse the tones will result in harsh shadows and lines," celebrity makeup artist Robert Sesnek told Teen Vogue. Instead, seamlessly blend your shadows together with this starter set brush kit. The base shadow brush, deluxe crease brush, accent brush, fine liner brush, and brow brush are each hand cut to give the most blended look possible.

Your Moisturizer Doesn't Dry Quickly, So Save Time With Lighter Formula

bliss Fabulous Face Lotion with SPF 15, $36, Amazon

If you apply your makeup right after your moisturizer, you might not get the look you were hoping for. This bad habit results in blotchiness, and it can even minimize the coverage your foundation provides, makeup artist Laura Geller told Real Simple. If you're impatient, try a lighter-weight formula, like this SPF face lotion. It's a lightweight formula, so it won't sit on the top of your skin, and it has phytonutrients from tonka beans to give you a more luminous glow. Users say there's no fragrance, and one reviewer even said, "Easily the best moisturizer that I have ever used. It's light and airy, non-greasy, absorbs quickly and leaves my skin soft and protected!"

Pencil Can Create Unnatural-Looking Brow, So Try Powder & Setting Wax

Morphe Brow 8 Powder Palette, $15, Amazon

Bold brows have been a thing for a while, but it's easy to go overboard with some of the products on the market. New York City makeup artist Susmita Patel told Total Beauty that sometimes, a penciled brow can look unnatural. Instead, Patel suggests choosing an eyeshadow that matches your hair, and to "apply with a thin, stiff, angled brush using tiny strokes." Morphe's powder palette has eight different colors, so you can custom mix your combination to match your hair color. Plus, it has a setting wax and a concealer to keep everything in place and keep your brows groomed without looking harsh.

Dirty Makeup Brushes Cause Breakouts; Remove Germs With Texturized Mat

Sigma Beauty Express Brush Cleaning Mat, $25, Amazon

Makeup brushes can be a serious breeding ground for germs, Dr. Whitney Bowe (board-certified dermatologist in New York City) told Buzzfeed. She said, “They’re run over an oily face many times, which spreads bacteria around.” That's where this brush cleaning mat comes in. This mat has seven different textures to deep clean any kind of makeup brush, no matter what bristles it's sporting. It suction grips into your sink, too, so you can just add some soap to your brushes and start scrubbing those germs away.

Your Too-Dark Foundation Prevents Sunny Glow. Match Correctly, Then Finish With Bronzer

bareMinerals All-Over Face Color in Warmth, $19, Amazon

If you want that golden goddess look, you might have considered using a foundation that's too dark for your skin tone to get that glow you want. Make sure you've landed the right color, and then finish with Bare Minerals Warmth All-Over Face Color. The bronzer will "warm up the skin and give a sun-kissed look," said Thang Dao, the manager of global artistry and events at BareMinerals, to Allure. This bronzer has illuminating minerals to enhance your complexion, too. Just dust it onto the parts of your face the sun naturally hits, and you've got your ultimate summer glow — no matter what time of year it is.

Fingers Pull Harshly At Delicate Skin. Instead, Blend With Latex-Free Mini Makeup Sponges

Beauty Blender Micro Mini Sponge, $18, Amazon

When you pull at skin when removing stubborn eye makeup or applying eyeliner, it "can create wear and tear on the collagen and elasticity fibers" around the eyes, said celebrity esthetician Renée Rouleau to Marie Claire. Instead of rubbing your eyes with your fingers or a brush while you're applying concealer or foundation, use Beauty Blender's micro sponge. It's small enough to fit into the area around your eyes that you might not be able to get, and it seamlessly blends makeup for a flawless look.

Fluctuating Shower Temps Can Damage Beauty Tools, So Relocate Them to The Bedroom

Songmics Acrylic Cosmetic Makeup Organizer, $18, Amazon

A lot of the beauty products you commonly use have natural ingredients in them that can be ruined by fluctuating temperatures like the heat from your shower, makeup expert Amy Strozzi told Redbook. Instead of storing your makeup in the bathroom, keep it in your bedroom where the temperatures are a little more steady. This acrylic makeup organizer has 16 separate compartments, four drawers, and can sit right on top of your dresser or vanity. Users love that it's compact so it doesn't take up a ton of space. Plus, its clear finish means they can see all of their products without digging through them.

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