6 Red Flags That You Are Buying Makeup That Doesn't Actually Work For You

There's nothing worse than applying your foundation and noticing that it leaves a dark line at your jawline or that it is too light and makes your skin seem ashy. Fear of a "foundation line" causes some women to forgo foundation altogether, as it's the ultimate makeup faux pas. So many women realize this is happening and don't take the time to find a better match. This should be addressed first!

It takes a makeup artist or any professional at your local cosmetic store mere minutes to find a match, so add this task to your Saturday to-do list. It will make your complexion look perfect, and all of your other makeup will look best on skin that looks like skin.

It's so easy to just keep swiping on whatever mascara you have handy. I, as a professional makeup artist, am guilty of this. I have bags of mascara in my closet, but I am too lazy to go two steps to open a new one. So I don't judge women who consistently use an old mascara or a formula that is familiar but flakes and smudges. We are all just being lazy.

But the effects are horrific and are the first thing people notice when they see our smudged black eye area. Do yourself the courtesy of finding something that accentuates your lashes and doesn't make you look a crazy cat lady. My latest favorite that is not waterproof but which is still water resistant is It Cosmetics Superhero Mascara ($24).

Under-eye concealer was invented to trick the world into thinking that you are the only living woman in America that is well-rested. The under-eye concealer that seemed to work in your 20s won't help you in your 30s or 40s. Life takes a toll, you get less sleep, you are stressed-out and possibly you consume a bit of wine, and suddenly, you find that your under-eye area betrays you. Also, as fine lines start to develop, a dryer concealer that once worked will suddenly make you look like you have aged beyond your years.

If you apply your concealer in the morning and your dark circles are still visible, then this is a clue that you need a new product. There are amazing solutions out there, so shop around a bit and find one that works for you.

Laura Mercier's Secret Concealer ($27) is a creamy concealer that won't exacerbate lines.

When you are young and carefree, you apply eyeliner in the morning and it magically is still there the next morning. As we age, this magic staying power goes away. Longer days, coupled with adult life that could include exhaustion, allergies, and general wear and tear, equals eyes that water and are prone to smudging.

Secondly, women often choose one shade that they think works for them and never make a change. This is a mistake. If you have been wearing your signature purple or teal eyeliner for years, try to move outside of your comfort zone and try a more neutral color. Same goes for those brown eyeliner users; branch out and try a plum or slate.

Urban Decay's 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils ($20) are long-wearing and come in 35 shades so you can be sure to find something new and exciting.

When we first choose a foundation, we were young and likely had little to cover except the occasional blemish. Life goes on and suddenly we have redness and discoloration and an uneven skin tone, and foundation coverage becomes a priority. The sheer foundation that evened you out and made you look like a bombshell when you were 21 years old will likely do nothing 10 years later.

There comes a time when you have to try different formulas so that you can find the perfect coverage that will even out your skin. Seek out a professional who will offer several options to try. When I made the switch from light drugstore foundations to one with beautiful coverage and finish, it was the most magical discovery of my life. And it was none other than Giorgio Armani's Luminous Silk Foundation ($64).

When we are young, we can swipe on any old lip product and it will stay put. As we age — and our lifestyle involves downing three coffees a day, working long hours, and hitting a girls' night out after work — we need to choose lip products strategically. A great long-lasting lip product that survives a busy lifestyle is Stila's All-Day Liquid Lipstick ($22).

Also, we become attached to a certain lipstick shade that once worked and we can't let it go. Women often find a shade they like and they have that one shade in their car, their purse, and their makeup bag for fear that they will ever not have it.

Sometimes there comes a time to try something new. If you have been wearing the same lipstick for close to a decade, I am talking to you.