Avoid These 5 Common Beauty Routine Mistakes
Can we all agree that gatekeeping is lame? I don’t know if you’re like me, but I’m one of those girls who, if you compliment something I’m wearing, I don’t just say thank you—I’ll tell you where I got it, how much it was, and even share the coupon code I used. I’ve always been that way, and when it comes to my beauty routine, my hair, and my makeup, chile I look forward to telling people I’m wearing a wig. It’s the highlight of my day, and if we're close enough, I’ll even pull it off and show you the lace.
As a professional makeup artist, I’ve seen it all, and I want to make sure you’re avoiding the most common mistakes that can keep you from having flawless makeup. These five mistakes are ones I see over and over, and I’m sharing them so that we can elevate your beauty routine.
And hey, if you’ve got any beauty mistakes to add to the list, I’d love to hear them—let’s learn together!
1. Stop Matching Foundation To Your Face
One of the biggest mistakes is choosing the wrong foundation shade. When you’re shopping for foundation, don’t color match to your arm, hands, neck, or even your face. Always match your foundation to your chest for the best result. This makes sure your makeup looks natural and blends seamlessly with your skin.
2. Applying Too Much Product
More isn’t always better. Whether it’s foundation, blush, or highlighter, applying too much can leave you looking heavy or unnatural. Start with a small amount and build up as needed—you can always add more, but it’s harder to take away. Work in thin layers, thank me later.
3. Neglecting the Neck and Ears
Ever had your makeup looking perfect, but noticed a big difference between your face and your neck or ears? Don’t forget to blend your foundation and skincare products down your neck and onto your ears for a more seamless, natural look.
4. Girl, Throw That Mascara Away.
Mascara typically has a short shelf life—around 3 to 6 months. After that, it’s time to toss it. Using old mascara can lead to clumping, dryness, and even eye infections. To help you keep track, check the shelf life symbol on your beauty and skincare products. It looks like a small open jar with a number in the center, indicating how many months you should keep the product from the time you open it.
Keep in mind that powder products, like eyeshadow or blush, tend to have a longer shelf life than liquids and creams. So, while you might be able to keep a powder product for a couple of years, your mascara has a much shorter lifespan to protect those sensitive eyes.
5. Not Regularly Cleaning Your Makeup Brushes
Dirty brushes? Big mistake. Makeup brushes can easily build up bacteria, leading to breakouts and uneven application. Make cleaning your brushes a regular habit—your skin will thank you! I love using Dr. Bronner's Baby Unscented Pure-Castile Liquid Soap or an anti-bacterial dish soap to clean my makeup brushes and beauty blender deep once a week.
Now, if you were into these last five mistakes, I want to know which one was your favorite. I have so many more tips and tricks to elevate your beauty routine.
That's why I’m so excited to introduce a project I’ve been working on for over 10 months, but really, it’s the evolution of the past 15 years of my career.
INTRODUCING THUTO LABS: The Netflix of Makeup Tutorials
You all know I’m obsessed with South Africa, and that’s where the name Thuto Labs comes from. The word "Thuto" means "education" or "learning" in Tswana, a language spoken in Botswana and South Africa, and it perfectly captures what we’re here to do—teach and inspire through easy-to-follow, practical lessons.
But it’s not just about learning new skills. For us, "Thuto" is also about personal growth and elevating together in our community lab. We’re here to support you every step of the way as you explore new techniques and connect with others on the same journey.
For years, I’ve been teaching workshops—group sessions for professionals and private one-on-ones for my clients. But as much as I love doing those, I can’t offer as many as I used to. That’s why I created Thuto Labs, a more accessible way to learn at your own pace. Whether you're just starting out or looking to level up, you'll find practical, easy-to-follow lessons led by industry pros.
Ready to get started? Join Thuto Labs with our monthly subscription and get access to all of our expert-led tutorials.
PRODUCT OF THE WEEK
L'Oréal True Match Nude Hyaluronic Tinted Serum
If you’re on the hunt for a lightweight, hydrating foundation that gives you a natural glow, let me put you onto this week’s featured product: L'Oréal True Match Nude Hyaluronic Tinted Serum. It’s perfect for a skin-forward, effortless look, with sheer coverage and hyaluronic acid to keep your skin moisturized all day long. Want to see me demo this product? I feature it in my casual makeup tutorial in the Thuto Lab video library—come check it out!
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"It's not what you know, it's not even who you know, it's what you implement that counts."
— From The 12 Week Year by Brian P. Moran and Michael Lettington
