10 makeup rules for your daily routine that you shouldn't break this year

When it comes to our beauty routines, rebellious behaviour is encouraged. We’re constantly told to ‘break the rules’ with new makeup trends like wearing a bold lip with a bold eye, rocking that bright blue eyeshadow, or skipping foundation in favour of a BB, CC or DD cream.
2018 is set to be another year of ‘sticking it to the man’ and fighting outdated beauty rules. But before you get overzealous in breaking all the rules you once followed so religiously, there are a few that should definitely stick around.
Here are the 10 new year makeup rules you shouldn’t break.
1. Avoid bad lighting
Remember that time you left the house thinking you looked super cute, only to realise later that you have a serious case of cake face? Bad lighting is the culprit for many makeup sins. Always check your makeup in natural or warm white lighting before you leave the house.
2. Tone it down
Unless it’s Halloween and you’re going as Jenny Humphrey from Gossip Girl, a heavy smoky is very difficult to pull off in broad daylight. If you want to look glam and not ghoul, try a softer smoky eye using neutral or bronze shades.
3. Don’t mask, enhance
Makeup is supposed to enhance your natural features, not completely mask them. Wear makeup as often as you like, but use it to bring out your unique beauty. There’s only one of you in the whole world, own it.
4. Set your under-eye concealer
Dark circles are no fun, but under-eye creases from your concealer are just as bad. Always set your concealer with a translucent powder applied with a damp makeup sponge. This stops your concealer from creasing and will keep your dark circles hidden all day.
5. Curl your lashes
We all want long, luscious lashes. And if you’re not using an eyelash curler then you are seriously missing out. Curling your lashes instantly makes them appear longer, thicker and fuller, and that’s before you apply mascara!
6. Find your signature look
Do you always do a winged eyeliner? Have a preference for a nude, matte lip? It’s fun to try new things, but having a signature makeup look is like finding that perfect little black dress. You can put it on at a moment’s notice and know that you look amazing.
7. Pare back the powder
Finishing off your makeup with a light dusting of powder is a good idea. Being too heavy-handed with your powder application is not. Applying too much powder will have your complexion looking dry and dull. Instead, use blotting papers throughout the day to avoid adding more layers of product.
8. Don’t sleep in your makeup
You’ve heard it a million times before, but really, don’t sleep in your makeup. Avoid breakouts, irritation and premature ageing by leaving makeup remover wipes on your bedside table before you leave the house. That way, you don’t even have to get out of bed to do it.
9. Get your foundation professionally matched
Don’t underestimate the power of a perfectly matched foundation shade. If you’ve been using the same foundation shade for years, it’s worth going to a makeup counter and making sure it’s still the right shade for you.
10. Never skip a primer
There are a lot of you who still think primers are a scam. I’m here to challenge that. Primers allow your makeup to last longer, look smoother and minimise the appearance of pores and wrinkles. Once you find the right primer, you’ll never look back.
What makeup rules do you always follow? Are you going to try any new rules this year?
207 Member Comments
Same here, especially when there are cleansing wipes. They are so quick and easy!!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I'm trying to go a little more natural this year, rather than a super full face of make up all the time. I need to work on my skin first though haha
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Great tips and advice.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Lots of great reminders there, Its so easy to get lazy about something we do every day. I am a convert to Primer, try to remove my makeup as early as possible in the evening so its not an effort.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I only get a little dark under the eyes when I'm post-migraine. I think it usually looks better just left as it is, rather than applying concealer to my crêpey skin. & I'm definitely not game to try powder there!
I DO agree with having makeup wipes by my bedside, again, only for migraines. The rest of the time, it's a proper cleanse.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I didn't think primers were necessary until I tried them, but now I'm converted.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I always remove my makeup as soon as I return from an outing. As for primers; yes, it enables foundation to go on smoothly and blend well. I used a Face of Australia Primer beneath a Revlon Age Defying Foundation the other day and was absolutely pleased with the result. It allowed me to great good coverage with only a small amount of the foundation. My makeup looked light and natural too. Will definitely be using that combination of products again.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I'm not one for too many rules, but this list is a good one.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Yes, the rules discussed above are key to a flawless and consistent look. Also, I invest in a good quality makeup remover and use it before bed time. A magnifying mirror can be a useful tool in every girl's beauty routine.
Happy New Year to all beauties out there.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Yup, totally agree with all of these and would not even think of breaking these golden rules!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
If only bad lighting was easy to avoid! I occasionally sleep in my make up when I am too tired; I always break out when I do this - no surprises there! I keep cleansing wipes on hand so that if I am too tired to complete my entire skin care ritual, at least I take my make up off. I need to get myself a good eyelash curler. I'm always trying to make eyes look bigger, and this is something that has slipped out of my make up routine over time.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I skip my primer a lot because I just forget when I am in a rush. By the time I remember I have already put my foundation on!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Ha ha yeah sometimes when I go to physio I forget to take my mascara off first and I leave little black eye marks like No. 8 on their disposable paper towels that they have on the headrest there. Woops! So my new rules going to have to be to make sure I take my mascara and any eyeshadow off before I zip off to physio.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Ohhh interesting, I have to think about the primer, I have it but am still figuring out how much I like using it. Sometimes I want something light on my face and prefer just moisturiser.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I need to find the right primer and start curling the lashes.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Oh dear so much to remember. I've never primed or curled lashed but I'm willing to try
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
oh yeah the lighting thing, me all the time! do my makeup thinking I look pretty good then catch a look in the car mirror when outside and yikes!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Ha! Love the Jenny Humphrey reference lol. She did have raccoon eyes.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I started using primers a few months back and I cannot imagine my make up without them, my make up finishes better and it lasts so much longer.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Lighting is very important! Do your makeup with natural light to see how the colours match your skin
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
At least check what it looks like outside. Never thought about that before. Time to start
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I love doing my makeup outside to get a proper look at how it will appear to everyone else. I've definitely applied makeup inside and walked outside to look in my compact mirror and it's waaay overboard haha
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Good idea to go outside
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I'm all for the natural yourself but better look, mascara lipstick or crayon bb or cc cream for everyday use, night is so rare it's a smokey eye added to my day look but with a better lip colour
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0