Many women use makeup to achieve a glamorous look, hide skin imperfections or simply to add a little color. But when does less become more? In a survey conducted by skincare company St. Ives, one in five men said his partner wore too much makeup, and 12 percent of women admitted they caked it on themselves. The biggest offenders were shellacked-on foundation and too-bright blush. Clumpy mascara, loud lipstick and bold, drawn-on brows rounded out the list. That old adage about removing the first accessory that catches your eye when turning back toward the mirror holds true for makeup as well. After you finish your face, turn away from the mirror for a few moments, and then turn back. That blush may look a little more garish, or your eyes may look too intense. You can correct your mistake, but it's best to add makeup gradually - it's easier to add a little more than take it off after the fact. If imperfections are the problem, then preventing blemishes and priming skin before you apply makeup can help reduce the tendency to over-apply.
Always remove makeup completely before retiring for the night in order to avoid blocking pores. Exfoliate regularly to prevent makeup caking on dead skin cells. Giving your skin a gentle scrub to remove those cells can help skin look more radiant, therefore requiring less makeup. Before you start applying makeup, apply a primer or simply a facial moisturizer. These help foundation absorb into the skin instead of sitting on top of the skin and looking less natural. Finish your makeup application with a light dusting of powder, which can tone down any overapplied color. When in doubt, ask a trusted friend or family member her opinion about your techniques. Getting an objective idea of how your makeup looks to others can help you tweak your look.