It happens to the best of us. You leave an important office meeting, only to discover that you've been addressing your coworkers with a lipstick-stained smile and a black eye from your runaway liner. Don't fret - we're here to help! Here are 10 common mistakes and how to fix or avoid them for next time.
MISTAKE: Noticeable Lip Liner
SOLUTION: Girlfriend, we know you're in a hurry, but spend a few minutes blending your lipliner and lipstick together. Invest in a travel lip brush like Sephora's Retractable Lip Brush #60 ($10, sephora.com). That way, no matter how much of a hurry you're in, you can can whip out your brush and finish perfecting your gorgeous pout.
MISTAKE: Runny eyeliner
SOLUTION: We know, you didn't expect to cry over Toy Story 3, and now you're leaving the theater looking a hot mess. Be sure to keep a few sponge puffs, like these from Cover Girl ($2.99, ulta.com), in your makeup bag. Gently wet it and sweep it under the eyes for an easy cleanup. It's also high time you invest in a waterproof eyeliner. Urban Decay's 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils ($17, urbandecay.com) are the best eyeliners that we've seen. They remove easily with make-up remover, but you can wear them for hours at a time without worrying about smudging and your liner's disappearing acts.
MISTAKE: Preventing spider lashes
SOLUTION: When applying mascara, we think the wiggle method works best. Start from the base of your lashes and slowly wiggle the mascara up to the tips of your lashes. Some mascaras may surprise you and may only require one coat to give you the length and volume that you're looking for. Out of habit, we often like to apply several coats, resulting in clumpy and spider-like lashes. Applying Tarte's Rejuvelash Declumping Lash Exhilarator ($16, tartecosmetics.com) as a second coat makes for perfect lashes minus the clumps and spider-y effects. In a pinch? Use an eyebrow comb to separate lashes and comb off excess mascara. Be kind to your eyes - do not use a needle!!
MISTAKE: Oily T-Zone
SOLUTION: It happens to the best of us. You take a quick glimpse in the mirror and notice your forehead and nose shining brighter than the sun. Every lady should have a pack of blotting papers in her makeup bag. Sephora Blotting Papers ($8, sephora.com) are affordable and can easily be popped in your purse when you're running those errands. Swipe, blot and off you go!
MISTAKE: Creasing eyeshadow
SOLUTION: You left the house with a beautiful eye shadow with an array of colors. Two hours later and you've got a creasing, muddy mess. What happened? Even the most expensive eye shadow is no match for our often oily eye lids. The solution is simple: apply a little primer first. Urban Decay's Primer Potion ($18, urbandecay.com) is a cult fave. Use this for budge-free shadow, even while swimming and working out!
MISTAKE: Lipstick-painted teeth
SOLUTION: Your lipstick is poppin', but that huge red spot over your front two teeth is not. The best solution is quick - and free! After applying lipstick, close your lips around your thumb, then pull it out. That ring around your thumb? All the lipstick that would have been on your grill!
MISTAKE: Over-blushing
SOLUTION: We know from personal experience that applying blush can be very tricky. But remember, a little goes a long way. If you find that your blush looked good inside but looked like you were auditioning for a clown position outside, consider swapping your current blush brush for a stippling brush like MAC's 187 Duo Fibre Brush ($42, maccosmetics.com). Stippling brushes don't soak up as much color and when used with a light application, they can give you an nice airbrushed effect.
MISTAKE: Flaking lips
SOLUTION: A good, rich lip color is all the rage these days, but when it starts to wear off, your bold, bright lips are suddenly looking ashy and flaky. Then, when you reapply, they wind up getting even flakier! While your main move should be applying a moisturizing lip balm before applying color, you should also get into the habit of exfoliating your lips on a weekly basis. We love LUSH's Mint Julips lip scrub ($8.95, lushusa.com). After scrubbing, your lips will be softer and ready for flawless lipstick application.
MISTAKE: Perfume stains on your clothes
SOLUTION: A blunder like this is always noticed when it's too late. If you manage to catch it before you leave the house, use a bit of white vinegar on the stain. You can apply the vinegar with a warm wash cloth. And don't worry, the smell will dissipate in seconds. Prevent this from happening next time by spritzing your perfume in the air and then walking through it while just in your skivvies. You want your scent to be stuck to YOU, not your clothes!
MISTAKE: UNDER-EYE CONCEALER CREASES
SOLUTION: Don't be victim of this blunder. Keep your co-workers from talking and invest in a primer. Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer (shown here in travel size, $32, smashbox.com) reduces the appearance of fine lines and gives your skin an overall flawless finish. A primer that stays put means that the concealer on top of it will stay put - voila!
What are some of your tried-and-true beauty blunder solutions?
Source: BV on Beauty