Are you sabotaging your morning makeup routine?

Does your make-up look #onpoint when you apply it at night, but embarrassingly average when you pretty up in the morning?

Whether it’s cakier foundation, runnier eyeliner or faster-fading lip colour, there’s nothing more disheartening than rising early to do your make-up, only to get a lacklustre end result.    

The good news? You’re probably just making one or two (easy fixable) morning make-up mistakes. 

Here are 7 of the most common mishaps – and how to prevent them:

#1 You apply your make-up in a steamy bathroom

Applying your make-up in a steamy bathroom is a massive make-up no-no. Foundation won’t stay put on your dewy face and let’s be honest, you probably don’t have a great view of your eyeliner application in that foggy mirror. Oh, and one more thing: don’t even think about putting your make-up on before using a hairdryer. Trust us, it’ll melt right off.  

Fix: If you must use the bathroom, make sure it’s well-ventilated and that you’ve completely dried off. Alternatively, take your make-up bag outta that sweatbox and set yourself up someplace cooler. 

#2 You’re not letting your skin care set

We’ve all been there: you’ve slept through your alarm (again) and now you’re attempting to do your beauty prep in the space of 10 minutes. This is a morning make-up disaster waiting to happen. If you slap on a bevvy of skin products (lotions, serums, etc), then apply your make-up straight after, it’ll slide right off by midday. Like cosmetics, your skin care needs a few minutes to absorb.

Fix: For a quick fix, skip the lotion and use a hydrating spray (we like jane iredale Hydration Spray POMMISST™ and zk'in organic Hydrating Mist) and a moisturising make-up primer (try ulta3 Perfect Balance Primer or INIKA Certified Organic Pure Primer) before dolling up. 

#3 You’re in the dark

To put your best face forward, do your make-up in an environment with natural light. Granted, it can be tricky to find a light-filled area on a winter morning, but opening up your blinds will work wonders.

Fix: Apply your make-up anywhere with a sliver of natural light. If your bedroom’s still a bit dark, try the kitchen. It usually delivers the goods!

#4 You’re too heavy-handed with mascara

When it comes to daytime make-up, less is more – and while layering lipstick makes it last longer, the opposite is true of your lashes! Two coats are all you need. Any more, and your quick-drying mascara will get clumpy and leave you with spidery-looking lashes. No, thanks.

The fix: Add extra oomph by curling your lashes before applying mascara. I’m a Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler convert (the QVS CurlWonder ® Eyelash Curler is also pretty good). Once your lashes have some lift, apply two coats of a thickening mascara, such as Lancôme Gradiôise.

#5 You haven’t picked your outfit

When you’re pulling outfits on and off, it’s little wonder your eye make-up gets a bit smeared. And that bare forehead? That’d be the slight sweat you worked up trying on all your shoes. So attractive (not).  

The fix: Give your hair and make-up a fighting chance by choosing what to wear the night before. The feeling of satisfaction when you effortlessly slip on that look is worth the trouble. If you simply have to change your top, put on sunglasses before you pull it over your head to protect your eye-make-up. Genius, I know!

Will you be trying any of these morning make-up tips? What other make-up struggles do you need help with?