I came across this article on TotalBeauty.com called “The 11 Make Up Mistakes You Don’t Realize You’re Making” (links opens in new window).
The article contains advice from various professional Make Up Artists but as I’m reading through it, I couldn’t help but disagree with some of the points made.
By no means am I considered a “professional”. I never went to a makeup school; I started practicing on friends and family until finally, I began building up a clientele.
Here is my differing opinion on the advice that each “mistake” was given:

Mistake No. 1: Wearing the wrong foundation shade
“Foundation isn’t supposed to give your skin a bit of a tan, it’s supposed to create a perfect, smooth complexion and cover-up any imperfections. This is why you should always use a foundation which blends in with your skin” – NYC MUA Susmta Patel

I am not going to disagree with this tip. She’s absolutely right!

Mistake No. 2: Applying makeup on dry, flaky skin
“Foundation will only emphasize the flakes by sitting on top of them instead of blending in with your skin.”
“Fix the dryness by exfoliating regularly (to get rid of flakes) and following that up with a rich moisturizer.” NYC MUA Susmta Patel

Okay, this tip isn’t wrong either. We’re getting to the good stuff soon. I didn’t want to skip over the advice that I thought was good.

Mistake No. 3: Wearing blue eyeshadow
“Blue eyeshadow works for some people. Little girls in dance recitals. Guests at 1970s-themed parties. Ethereal looking supermodels. If you aren’t one of the aforementioned people, don’t wear it. Enough said.” NYC MUA Susmta Patel

I do not agree with this tip! You need to find the right shade of blue that will accentuate your eyes and your skintone. Blue eyeshadow will compliment brown eyes, dark hair, fair/medium/dark skin. Navy or Royal blue are beautiful shades and should not be skipped over! Blending is key, though. Wear darker blues on your outer eye or close to your lash line. Also, don’t go to high over your crease. A beautiful wash of blue color on your lid is perfectly fine, just pair it with a nude lip!

Mistake No. 4: Trying to “plump” your lips
“You’ve probably heard, or tried, the trick of lining just outside your natural lip line to make your lips look bigger. Use a lip liner the same shade as your lipstick on the outer line of your lips, without passing over it. ” NYC MUA Susmta Patel

She’s right in this case, too. But you can also use a lip liner that is close to your natural lip color for this trick. Don’t forget you can contour under your bottom lip to make it appear fuller and highlight your cupids bow.

Mistake No. 5: Over-tweezing (or ignoring) your eyebrows
“Head to a professional to get an ideal shape. While you do want to tame overgrown brows,  you don’t want to tweeze too much so just stick with cleaning up the area around your brows and follow their natural arch for your best shape.” NYC MUA Susmta Patel

Bang on, again. May I suggest threading to you? It hurts but you’ll never have more beautiful brows! (tip: pop an Advil/Tylenol 20 minutes before your appointment.)

Mistake No. 6: Wearing an entire eye palette on your lids
“Just because your compact came with four or more colors packaged together doesn’t mean you have to paint them all onto your eyelids at once”
“But for everyday, you really only need a sweep of one shade across your lid.” NYC MUA Susmta Patel

She’s not entirely wrong, in my opinion but I do slightly disagree. I feel like it is possible to wear three or more shades.
For example, your palette comes with 4 or 5 complementing shades. The darkest shade can be used in the crease, or as an eyeliner. The lightest color can be worn to highlight your brow bone. You could wear one of the medium colors smudged on your lower lash line and the other medium color across your lid. Unless your job is super cool with it, I would suggest this for a night on the town with your girls!
Or you could use two medium shades to create a softer smokey look. You don’t only have to wear one color for an everyday look.

Mistake No. 7: Trying to “sculpt” your face
“Contouring is best left to professionals, and only for photography or film”
“No matter how skilled you are with the makeup brush, it’s nearly impossible to use dark colors that aren’t glaringly obvious when viewed in person, especially in broad daylight” NYC MUA Susmta Patel

If you’re using the proper contour shades best for your skin, your sculpting won’t make your face look dirty or too obvious. Or if you apply the residue left over from your sponge or foundation brush over the contour, it’ll blend it in better.

Mistake No. 8: Using pencil on your eyebrows
“A penciled eyebrow looks painted and weird” NYC MUA Susmta Patel

I find pencils great for filling in sparseness and there is a technique to making a penciled brow look more natural, it’s fairly easy:
First, choose a brow pencil 1 or 2 shades lighter than your hair color.
Then, fill them in following the direction of the hairs natural growth. You’ll want most of the definition at the root of the hair, so apply a little more pressure at the root and ease off as you flick upwards, in short strokes.

Mistake No. 9: Wearing black eyeliner in the daytime
“Here is a general rule: dark colors shrink and recede. [I]  recommend skipping black eyeliner (especially underneath eyes) during the day, so your eyes look more open and awake.” NYC MUA Susmta Patel

Disagree. If you line your upper water line in black, it’ll had definition to your eyes. A subtle cat eye is sexy, flirty, and totally professional. If your eyes look too small, widen them up by lining your lower waterline with a neutral(tan) or white eyeliner.
Yes, black liner can make your eyes look smaller if you don’t know how to use it to your advantage or for your eye shape.

Mistake No. 10: Wearing glitter
“The thing that bothers me the most about glitter in makeup, besides the fact that it shouldn’t be worn by anyone over the age of 14, is that it travels on your face, leaving strange sparkly spots where they shouldn’t be.” NYC MUA Susmta Patel

WHAT!? I feel like glitter should be a staple in every girls’ makeup stash. Glitter over a classic smoke will make the perfect night eye!
You can prevent fallout by using a primer, or an adhesive like LA Splash or Duo, and by placing a cotton pad or tissue under your eye has you carefully pat the glitter.

Mistake No. 11: Going nuts with “luminizing” products
“One or two such products can make a woman look fresh and glowing. Too many can make her look very, very strange.”
“Limit your illuminating products to these areas: cheekbones, inner eye corners, and (if used sparingly) under the eye. ” NYC MUA Susmta Patel

She’s right about this one, too. Mix a little liquid illuminizer with your foundation for an all-over type glow, or highlight your cheekbones, inner corners of your eyes, even your brow bone with a little powder highlighter.

Share your thoughts with me! Do you agree or disagree with Sustmas'(or my) advice?