1. Don't test new foundation shades on your cheek. The skin on your face, due to increased sun exposure or breakouts, isn't the same color as the rest of your body. So, if you match your foundation to your cheek, you might end up with a shade that doesn't match your neck and chest and doesn't look natural.

Instead, swipe three shades of foundation right below your jawline, blend them in, and whichever shade disappears is the one you should choose.

2. Don't apply concealer before foundation. You'll just end up removing it as you apply your base.

Instead, apply foundation before concealer. This way, you won't have to use as much concealer.

3. Don't apply foundation in upward strokes. Going against the grain of the little hairs on your face will make peach fuzz more visible by raising them up instead of smoothing them down.

Instead, use your brush or sponge to pat the foundation on for a more airbrushed effect.

4. Don't use the same concealer to cover both under-eye circles and pimples. Your under-eye concealer, which should be a shade lighter than your skin tone, will highlight your pimple, not hide it.

Instead, use a creamy cover-up that matches your skin perfectly to conceal blemishes.

5. Don't rely on just concealer when covering pimple scars.

Instead, layer foundation, concealer, and setting powder to ensure the blemish is completely covered and the product won't budge.

6. Don't apply your concealer in a moon shape under your eye.

Instead, draw a triangle shape to brighten the entire eye area.

7. Don't skip on moisturizer just because you have oily skin. This will dry your skin out and make it produce more oil.

Instead, try an apple cider vinegar and water mixture, or green tea as a toner (both balance your skin's pH levels) before applying your moisturizer.

8. Don't use a cream moisturizer all over your face if you have oily skin.

Instead, use a mattifying gel moisturizer on your T-zone and a cream moisturizer everywhere else. This will fight shine while keeping your skin hydrated.

Try Boots Botanic Shine Away Mattifying Day Gel, $13

9. Don't use loose powder to fight an oily complexion. Too much powder can make your makeup look cakey.

Instead, use a clear mattifier. Apply it before or after your makeup, and watch the shine disappear.

Try CoverGirl TruMagic Mini Skin Perfector, $10

10. Don't skip oil-blotting your face. An oily T-zone can ruin a good photo.

Instead, use a toilet seat cover in a pinch to dab up the extra shine.

11. Don't use products with shimmer if you have oily skin. Shimmer will make your face appear shinier.

Instead, try matte bronzers, blushes, and a concealer one shade lighter than your skin tone for highlighting for the same effect.

12. Don't apply bronzer all over your face.

Instead, apply it in the shape of a "3" over your forehead, cheekbones, and jawline.

13. Don't neglect to wash your brushes weekly. Your brushes gather germs and bacteria, and can cause breakouts.

Instead, lightly rub a gentle face wash onto the bristles of your brushes and then rinse. The cleaner your brushes, the easier and better your makeup application will go on.

14. Don't fill in your brows with the same amount of brow powder or liner all over. The two ends of your brows should be filled in softer than the arch.

Instead, focus the intensity in the arch of your eyebrows, fade it out at the ends, and brush your brows with an old mascara wand. Brushing will soften the harsh pencil or powder lines, and make your brows look more natural.

15. Don't pump your mascara. This pushes air into the tube, which can result in bacteria growth.

Instead, scrape the end of the brush along the inside of the tube, and pull it out at an angle to grab a good amount of product while wiping off the excess.

16. Don't pull your eyelid when applying eyeliner. This will damage the elasticity in the skin around your eyes, which is the most delicate skin on your body.

Instead, draw a rough line, and go back with a cotton swab dipped in makeup remover to sharpen the edge.

17. Don't apply black liner all around your eye and in your waterline. This will make your eyes appear much smaller than they are.

Instead, line the top with black liner, the bottom with brown liner, and the waterline with nude liner to really open your eyes.

18. Don't apply lipstick without sharpening the edges. This will make the lipstick bleed into the natural creases of the skin around your mouth.

Instead, line the outside of your lips in concealer for a sharp look that will make your lips pop.

Brooke Shunatona Brooke Shunatona is a contributing writer for Cosmopolitan.com.

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