How To Fix Common Makeup Mistakes

Struggling with how to fix common makeup mistakes like cakey foundation and smudged mascara? This helpful guide shares essential quick fix makeup tips for creating a gorgeous beauty look.

Prone to making makeup mistakes or choosing the wrong products for you? Darlings, we’ve all been there. But there are many MAGICAL ways to avoid or fix makeup concerns and achieve a GORGEOUS, FLAWLESS-LOOKING finish!

Whether you’re struggling with cakey foundation, mascara streaks or eyeshadow fallout, Charlotte’s EASY-TO-USE products and MAGIC tips and tricks will help you achieve the perfect makeup application every single time.

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Charlotte's Magic Tips for Flawless-Looking Makeup

Before exploring the solutions to common makeup concerns, discover Charlotte’s important tips and tricks to help you achieve a BEAUTIFUL application that lasts.

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MAGIC TIP 1: Make sure your skin is clean and moisturized

First things first: makeup should always be applied to clean and moisturized skin. This includes removing any traces of old makeup, cleansing your face and nourishing it with hydration. This way, your skin will be FRESH and RADIANT before makeup application, allowing any products to sit perfectly on your skin for a FLAWLESS-LOOKING beauty look.

Charlotte’s guide to The Correct Order of Skincare Products For Your Routine tells you everything you need to know about prepping your face before applying makeup for a CAPTIVATING complexion from morning through to night.

Tilbury Tip: Charlotte always uses her ICONIC Charlotte's Magic Cream before makeup; the rich, smoothing-effect formula PLUMPS, BRIGHTENS and REVIVES the LOOK of the skin to create the PERFECT canvas for makeup! Never apply makeup without it, darlings!

MAGIC TIP 2: Practice good makeup hygiene

Whether you’re using Charlotte’s MAGIC brushes or your fingertips to apply your makeup, always make sure to cleanse your hands with soap beforehand to avoid spreading bacteria and causing common skin issues like breakouts, rashes and irritation. Any makeup brushes and tools should be stored in a clean and dry place and disinfected regularly. Finally, try to avoid sharing your makeup brushes with friends as it can easily spread germs and cause a host of different skin concerns.

Charlotte’s guides on how to store makeup brushes and how to clean makeup brushes tell you everything you need to know about keeping your beauty tools in tip-top condition for optimum makeup hygiene.

MAGIC TIP 3: Apply your makeup products in the correct order and in good lighting

Just like skincare products, makeup should always be applied in the correct order. When you layer your makeup products correctly, a more seamless-looking base can be achieved and your makeup is more likely to stay in place and less likely to smudge. A good light source is also essential for a successful makeup application. This way, you’ll be able to see your features clearly and it’ll be easier to apply your makeup correctly and evenly.

Charlotte’s guide to the correct order to apply your makeup tells you everything you need to know about applying products correctly to achieve the perfect makeup base.

MAGIC TIP 4: Embrace the power of hyaluronic acid

When choosing your skincare and beauty products, look for products containing hyaluronic acid. This MAGIC ingredient BOOSTS hydration for BRIGHTER, SUPPLE and PLUMPER-LOOKING skin. Common concerns like tight-feeling skin and makeup creasing into fine lines are less likely to occur when you have a hydrated canvas!

Hyaluronic acid can be found in many of Charlotte’s MAGIC makeup and skincare products including Charlotte’s Magic Cream, Charlotte’s Beautiful Skin Foundation and Hyaluronic Happikiss.

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MAGIC TIP 5: Always use a primer

Primer is the last thing you should apply as part of your skincare routine, just before you apply your makeup. It preps your skin for the day ahead, flooding it with extra hydration and creating a seamless base for your FLAWLESS makeup application.

Common Makeup Mistakes and How To Fix Them

Struggling with cakey foundation and mascara that smudges underneath your eyes? Don’t worry, darlings! There’s a solution to every common makeup concern. Read on to discover the many MAGICAL ways that you can fix common makeup mistakes for a RADIANT LOOK each time.

How to stop foundation looking cakey

Caked-on complexion makeup is never a good look. Fortunately, there are many ways to fix cakey-looking makeup without having to restart your application process from scratch.

Usually, cakey-looking makeup is caused by using the wrong product for your skin type, dry skin that hasn’t been properly moisturised or prepped, not applying your makeup products in the correct order or applying too much product. To avoid this, always apply your makeup products in the correct order to clean and hydrated skin and leave a minute or two between each application to allow your skin to properly absorb the benefits of each product.

Additionally, never skip on primer. Charlotte’s primers will help you achieve a smooth-looking base to avoid that cakey foundation finish. Finally, when it comes to applying your foundation, blend in small amounts of the product at a time to avoid that unflattering, over-applied look.

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Already suffering from cakiness but don’t want to restart your makeup application process? Here are some MAGIC tips on how to fix cakey makeup…

MAGIC TIP 1: Brush and blend

Charlotte’s Magic Complexion Brush gently brushes over your foundation, softening your complexion and putting an end to any signs of cakiness. Darlings, you can never over-blend! Start from the centre of your face and blend outwards, gently manipulating your foundation to erase any harsh lines. Just magic!

MAGIC TIP 2: Spritz with a face mist

Cakey makeup can often be fixed with a few spritzes of face mist. Simply apply Charlotte’s oil-free and lightweight Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray to refresh your skin, melt away any powdery patches and create a weightless veil for a SOFTER and more hydrated complexion with no cakiness in sight.

MAGIC TIP 3: Loosen with steam

An easy way to loosen your foundation without having to start from scratch is to expose your skin to steam. Hop in the shower and allow the steam to soften your foundation. Alternatively, boil a small pot of water, wafting the steam towards your face to loosen any signs of cakiness.

MAGIC TIP 4: Make sure you’re using the right foundation for your skin type

Are you using the right foundation for your skin type? If you’re using the wrong formula for your skin type or desired look, you may experience an unflattering finish. Be sure to discover your skin type for better beauty results and then, discover Charlotte’s wardrobe of foundations to find the best one for you. If your skin is dry, you’ll want to avoid powders that will highlight any dry patches. And if the foundation feels too heavy on your face, switch to a more lightweight option.

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How to stop eyeliner from smudging (and your mascara too)

If you’re prone to smudged eyeliner or wondering how to stop mascara smudging under eyes, there’s a chance you may not be applying your products correctly. Charlotte’s guides on How to apply eyeliner and How to apply mascara will help you on your way to achieving a flawless eye makeup look that defines and elongates the look of your eyes.

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Still suffering from smudging? No worries, darling. These MAGIC tips and tricks will help you avoid the common makeup faux pas…

MAGIC TIP 1: Choose long-wearing or waterproof formulas

The Feline Flick is Charlotte’s AMAZING liquid eyeliner pen that’s waterproof, smudge-proof and humidity-proof to keep your eyeliner from smearing or running.

MAGIC TIP 2: Avoid applying too close to your eyes.

Stay clear of your waterline, and don’t go too close to your lash lines when applying your eyeliner. This way, your eyes will be less likely to become irritated or water, which can cause your makeup to smudge.

MAGIC TIP 3: Use a setting spray

Charlotte’s Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray is a MAGICAL setting spray that’s oil-free and ultra-hydrating to set your makeup and keep it in place for up to 16 hours!

MAGIC TIP 4: Remove or disguise

Already suffering from eyeliner or mascara smudges? Fortunately, they can be easily fixed by using a cotton swab and Charlotte’s Magic Eye Rescue eye cream. But if you’re away from home and need a solution fast, you can also disguise any smudges and smears by applying some concealer to your eye area.

How to prevent eyeshadow fallout

Darlings, if you’ve ever had your eyeshadow fall out of place and onto your cheeks to create unsightly smudging, you’re not alone. Eyeshadow fallout is a common makeup concern but fortunately, there are many ways to prevent it from happening and fix the issue when it does. Here are some MAGIC tips and tricks to prevent eyeshadow fallout…

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MAGIC TIP 1: Prime your eyelids

Charlotte’s Matte Eyes to Mesmerise can be used as an eyeshadow base, creating a smooth canvas for your eye makeup to apply onto. Apply the long-wearing formula onto your eyelids to prime your lids and stop your eyeshadow from straying.

MAGIC TIP 2: Apply your eyeshadow first

If you’re concerned that your eyeshadow is going to fall out of place and ruin your perfectly applied foundation and blush, switch things up a little and apply your eyeshadow first. This way, you can wipe away any fallout without smudging or removing any complexion and cheek makeup that you may have already applied.

MAGIC TIP 3: Follow Charlotte’s eyeshadow makeup tutorial

Charlotte’s guide to How to apply eyeshadow contains all the MAGIC tips and tricks for flawless eyeshadow application. When you discover how to apply eyeshadow like a pro, eyeshadow fallout is less likely to occur.

MAGIC TIP 4: Try cream-based formulas

Eyeshadows with cream formulas are less likely to smudge or fall out than powder formulas. If you’re prone to eyeshadow fallout, choose Charlotte’s Eyes to Mesmerise. This long-lasting eyeshadow is easy to blend and doesn’t smudge once set, achieving MESMERIC eyes in seconds!

MAGIC TIP 5: Use a setting spray

Charlotte’s Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray is a MIRACLE makeup setting spray that keeps your beauty products in place. Simply spritz on your eyelids to keep your eyeshadow in place for up to 16 hours!

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Author Details

Charlotte Tilbury

Founder, President, Chairman and Chief Creative Officer of Charlotte Tilbury Beauty

With over 30 years experience, Charlotte Tilbury MBE is the world's number 1 makeup artist and British beauty entrepreneur. Charlotte established Charlotte Tilbury Beauty in 2013, which is now a record-breaking beauty brand that has won over 400 awards.