Make- up Mistakes 101

Cosmetics guru Bobbi Brown lists the most common makeup mistakes that women make and tells you how to avoid them.

1 You use concealer to cover blemishes A good concealer is the secret of the universe. Use a yellow- toned concealer with a formula that feels creamy between your fingers so it’s easy to blend. Apply concealer under the eye, making sure to bring it up to the lashline and at the innermost corners of the eye. Don’t use concealer to cover blemishes as this product is designed to be one or two shades lighter than your foundation and is meant to lighten and brighten the under- eye area. Using it over blemishes will only draw undue attention.

2 You use the wrong shade of foundation Another common mistake that women tend to make is not choosing the right shade of foundation. Your foundation should not change the colour of your face but should instead match the colour of your skin. To find the perfect shade, first test the foundation on your forehead. If possible, check your reflection under natural light and go with the shade that perfectly matches your skin.

3 You lack confidence One of the biggest mistakes a woman can make is trying to look like someone other than herself. At any age, it’s important for women to be who they are. This means everything from learning to love your lines to appreciating your unique features. There’s something incredibly beautiful about a woman with lines on her face. We should start using the phrase ‘ living’ instead of ‘ ageing’. Lines are proof that we’ve lived life. We get them when we show emotions, when we laugh and when we express ourselves.

4 You don’t take care of your skin

Women think that beautiful skin is all about what products you put on your face. But how your skin looks actually depends a lot on how you treat your body. I always say that great skin is 70 per cent of what you put in your mouth and 30 per cent of what you put on your face. Skincare basics include eating the right foods, drinking plenty of water, exercising, getting enough sleep, protecting your skin from the sun, not smoking and limiting your intake of both caffeine and alcohol.

5 Your makeup is out of sync One of the most important things to consider while applying makeup is to make sure that your face matches the rest of your body. This is a common problem I’ve observed especially in special occasion photographs. To correct it, you may need to wear a slightly darker shade of foundation or use bronzing powder on your neck and chest to eliminate any obvious colour difference.

6 You don’t moisturise enough Not moisturising your face before applying makeup is a complete nono. If the skin isn’t well moisturised before makeup it looks dull, tired and older than what it really is. The right moisturiser, on the other hand, will make the skin look fresher, smoother and much healthier. 7 You need a bronzer alert Since the idea of a bronzer is to give you a natural look, piling on the powder defeats what you are actually trying to achieve. The secret is to apply bronzer only on those parts of your face where

the sun would naturally hit– predominantly your cheeks, nose and chin. To ensure a seamless look, make sure that you apply the bronzer with a brush that has a big and fluffy head.

8 You use too much highlighter It’s important to strike a balance between your eyes and lips–- you don’t want your features competing with each other for attention. The most modern and flattering way to wear a strong colour is to use it only on one part of your face. Play up the eyes with orange eye shadow and keep the rest of the face neutral. Also, never co- ordinate your lipstick to your outfit or your nail polish–- it looks way too dated.

9 You don’t choose the right mascara Many black mascaras actually have a grayish tint to them and this does nothing to enhance your lashes. Find a mascara that’s really black sans the gray tint to make eyes pop. Two to three coats ( sometimes even four) of really black mascara always does the trick. 10 You need a make- up tutorial Makeup should never be considered a one- step prescription for self- confidence. According to me, for a woman to both look pretty and feel powerful what she needs is the perfect blend of conviction and the right knowledge of makeup products and tools. In 1991, makeup artist Bobbi Brown launched her own line of cosmetics which over the years has grown into one of the best known global makeup brands. The first Bobbi Brown store was launched in India in 2013.