COMMON MISTAKES: The most common mistake made when using blush or contouring make-up is over-use. Too
often, women over-apply their cheek color or try to affect too-much change using a contouring make-up. The end result is a look
that can be characterized as “unnaturally overdone” at best, and “clownish” in the worst cases.
Solution: “Less is more.” This is never truer than when considering the use of blush and contouring
make-up. The key is to use subtle application in either case. A light shading will always appear more natural and be less heavy on the skin.
Lips:
Lip color is perhaps the most commonly used cosmetic, and while in many senses it is idiot-proof,
there are still mistakes that are made. One purpose for lip color is to mimic the look of arousal. When excited, the increased blood
flow causes the soft tissues of the lips to darken. The look is instinctively perceived as appealing to the opposite sex, and
therefore is sought after. Another purpose for lip make-up comes from the desire to mimic the smooth, plumped look of youthful
lips. To this end, lip color has been infused with moisturizers and given high-gloss finishes. (And that doesn’t even take into
account the number of lip gloss products marketed only for the purpose of giving shine to the lips.)
COMMON MISTAKES: With lip color, one common mistake is choosing the wrong shade for the situation or the
individual wearing the color. This can mean that the color is too bold or dark for a setting – such as wearing dark, wine colored
lipstick to an afternoon garden party – or simply too dark for an individual – causing the skin to appear pale as a result.
Solution: It’s important to remember that we each have colors that suit our skin tones and coloring. When
choosing lip color, we want to select colors that will flatter and create the desired illusion of arousal, but not one so dark as
to make the face appear pallid.
In general, you should always choose softer, paler colors for daytime wear, and reserve the
dramatic looks for evening. Furthermore, always use caution when wearing blue-toned shades as these can lend a cyanotic appearance to the skin.
Eye Make-Up:
Because there are a minimum of three separate cosmetics commonly used to adorn the eye (not
counting the eyebrow pencil) there is often room for error in many ways. The goal of eye make-up – in the case of eye color – is
to enhance the color of the eye itself and its shape – and in the case of mascara and eyeliner – to define the shape of the eye
and make the eye appear more open and brighter.
COMMON MISTAKE (eye color): All too often, women get sucked into make-up trends and apply their eye color
using techniques that are wholly unsuited to their needs. The result is a look that is neither flattering nor functional.
