Makeup mistakes: How to clean up unwanted smudging?

Because no one is stranger to makeup accidents, we get professional advice of Laura Mercier, make up artist and creator of Laura Mercier cosmetics, to find how to fix any mess in a snap.

Lipstick:

Large smudges can be erased well with a handkerchief. To remove excess bold lipstick, use the edge of a lip brush dipped in concealer to do a little camouflaging. Unlike a makeup remover, it is dry and leaves no pink traces. Concealing also helps with coverage while draining any excess product. You can also do with a concealer pen which is may be easier to use. Otherwise, you can proceed with your finger or a brush. Finish  by reapplying a little lipstick if necessary.

Preventive tip:

The ideal method is to apply the concealer before the lipstick, very light touches, around the lips to clear the contour. You can then carefully redraw and fill them in.

Mascara:

Ideally, in the case of running mascara, you can use a cotton swab and gently erase the stains, once they are dry.
But If it is waterproof, the task is more difficult because we are forced to use eye makeup remover which will also remove the eyeshadow. But if you insist on rubbing with a dry cotton swab, be careful because it may irritate your eyelid. It’s better to use the makeup remover and then put a little eyeshadow once done – this way you save time and avoid things getting worse and irritating the skin.

Kohl:

Since Kohl comes in very pigmented black pencils infused with a  little grease and on top of that, they are Ophthalmologist tested – they are ideal for applying inside the eye. It is best to always have cotton swabs on-hand to wipe kohl smudges properly. Otherwise, you can gently remove the kohl using your finger by dragging the excess to the eye.

Preventive tip:

To limit your kohl smudging, Laura advises us to dust the edge of the lashes and our lids (even if the pencil is only placed inside the eye) with a transparent powder. The powder particles will help the kohl stay put but also keep in mind that the kohl will eventually flow during the course of the day, so it’s almost inevitable (and even more if you have watery eyes!)

Blush:

If applied over the foundation, we can simply fade it by using our finger or a sponge. The fact that the blush is mixed with foundation means it will also remove a little colour. When rubbing, cheeks become slightly blushed. We therefore need it to calm down before reapplying the blush. If it is deposited directly on the skin and it is a powder-blush, it can fade with a powder puff.

Preventive tip:

A cream blush is easier to fade, so if you are not very comfortable, ditch powder blushes. Moreover, it is always best to implement it gradually, bit by bit, and retouch if needed. Controlling the blush lies in the art of knowing the right dose!

Marlene VAUTRIN