February 9, 2021

Here’s Why Your Makeup Isn’t Looking Flawless

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Wondering why your makeup isn’t looking flawless? Maybe you’re concealer is caked or your powdery is adhering to drier areas of your face! There could be a very simple reason why you haven’t unlocked perfect, flawless makeup.

I’ve compiled several tips and tricks to help you get the most flawless look from your makeup!

Daily reminder: Clean Your Makeup Brushes
I know it’s a chore but please clean your makeup brushes! You have no idea how much product and gunk gets stuck in the bristles of your brushes. Cleaning them weekly will totally make a world of difference in your application. I remember using the same blush brush for two weeks straight without cleansing. It was probably the longest I went between cleaning and believe me I could totally tell the difference between a clean and a dirty brush. For example, when using my beloved Melt Cosmetics Digital Dust Duo Blush I just wasn’t seeing the beautiful glow and every single shade I used was looking like I had applied NARS Exhibit A all over my face. And the culprit was a dirty brush! Once I cleaned my blush brush I finally saw the true color and beautiful glow from my Digital Dust again! Moral of the story: CLEAN YOUR BRUSHES! Some folks like baby shampoo but I personally love SigMagic Scrub! I can pop it on the side of my sink with the suction cups and swirl my brushes in this solid cleansing bar! Do read my raving review on this one because it really is a great way to clean brushes! If you like more traditional liquid cleansers I love Real Techniques Deep Cleansing Gel and Ecotools Makeup Brush Cleansing Shampoo!

How To Prevent Your Concealer from Caking and Creasing Under Your Eyes
Dry eyes? Problems with creasing and caking concealer under your eyes? I totally understand! I personally have drier eyes and have had my share of creasing and caking concealer issues! But honestly, sometimes you don’t even have to have dry eyes to experience this problem! Here’s how to prevent that! I am a firm believer of layering eye creams! I like to start with a serum or gel of some sort and follow up with a cream after that sinks in! Combining the two seems to fill and pump lines while providing hydration! I typically use Clinique Moisture Surge Eye 96-Hour Hydro Filler Concentrate followed by Heimish Marine Care Eye Cream (AMAZINGLY hydrating!). I also use InstaNatural Youth Express Eye Gel on top of Peter Thomas Roth Hungarian Thermal Water Eye Cream. It doesn’t matter which combos you use but the key for me is a gel or serum followed by a cream and together they create a very smooth well hydrated area for concealer to adhere to. All that moisture will prevent your concealer from caking up! I know Beautylish also has a new Yerba Mate Wake Up Eye Gel that seems to have replaced their Awake Eye Serum which I used to love. I still need to try Yerba Mate Wake Up Eye Gel! At $6 totally worth a try!

Prevent Your Foundation from Looking Dry
As someone with dry skin my deepest fear is having my foundation adhere to drier areas around my face. It not only ages a person but it looks gross too! Who wants to stare at your face when you have patchy foundation! Gross! The key to the best foundation application is obviously moisture. I always start with a HA before anything else goes on my face. I like CosRX Hyaluronic Acid Hydra Power Essence. Of course, follow up with your other serums and moisturizers of choice but HA is a good base for any skincare! It also smooths and plumps your skin! You can use a little facial oil as well! I’m not big on facial oil use in the day but since it’s Winter I apply two tiny drops of Good Molecules Squalane before my primer and it really goes a long way and creating a well hydrated surface for my foundation to sit on top of. And finally my secret weapon of choice is a good gripping foundation! Lately, I’m in love with E.L.F. Mint Melt Cooling Face Primer but I’m also a massive fan of Milk Hydro Grip! Believe me the more moisture going onto your face the better to prevent foundation from sticking to those dry areas!

How To Keep Eyeliner On Your Waterline for Longer Wear
Is your eyeliner wearing away quickly on your waterline? No problem! Take your favorite eyeliner pencil and sharpen it up well! Not take your favorite cream eyeliner pot and dip your pencil right into the pot! Swirl it gently around to coat the tip of your pencil with eyeliner from the pot! Apply to your waterline! Presto! Darker lined eyes and it’ll long wearing without fading as quickly!

Gel Eyeliner Trick

Do Mist Your Face Finely for A More Natural, Luminous Glow
I don’t really love setting sprays! It feels like I’m ruining my makeup when I use them but if you’re using highlighter I actually do recommend them. A very fine mist held several inches from your face will make your highlighter look way more natural and less harsh! It’ll also de-powder it so it sticks closer to your skin for a more seamless glow that isn’t patchy or adhering to drier areas or even pores.

What are your favorite tips for creating flawless makeup?

Do share them!

I receive a small commission if you shop through my link.

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • kjh

    Basically the same with different products. AM Eye cream duo: dermalogica bio lumin-c and cosrx snail. If time, PCA skin sheer tint eye (I see zero tint, but a brightness like pigment free hl and it takes ages to set due to other products.) FAB eye duty triple remedy, as long as it lasts (d/c), then concealer. Cleaning brushes: Parian Spirit, RT, Eco, and Cinema Secrets solid with pad. IT spray was a massive no. Always double cleanse, but white bristles, whether real or synthetic, are frequently stained. Gives me more reasons to like brown/un-dyed, like the first Wayne set. To destain the white bristles, suggestions from all are welcome. Afterthought: the Catrice dewy glow finish spray looks grand, but the ingredients are quite sucky.

  • Krastins

    I always rock a cat eye and everyone asks me how I get the liner and flick right. Well, I use two eyeliners: a pencil liner for my lid, and a liquid one for the flick! Makes all the difference in the world

  • MDW

    From reading Muse’s tips, there seems to be a fusion of applied science and art theory.
    Multi-layer system of skin care and traditional art concepts.