When I say Irish girls, I want to be clear, I am including myself in this. In no way is this having a pop at us because let’s be honest, we are quite fabulous aren’t we? More it’s a case of me speaking to my younger self and hoping that maybe some of this might trickle down to ‘the youth of today!’
We made these faux pas so you don’t have to!
- Oompa Loompa Fake Tan
You see it everywhere on our fair isle. 50 Shades of Orange. And to add insult to injury, throw in a few burnt looking elbows and knees and some seriously dodgy looking hands. We seem to suffer from temporary colour blindness.
I’m a lover of tan. Being a typical Irish cailin, she of freckles and red hair, I find that a sun kissed glow makes me feel more human and takes away that particular shade of blue that only we can rock.
Over the years I’ve learned the cardinal rules; exfoliate, then exfoliate some more; moisturise the dry areas like ankles, knees and elbows; put Vaseline on your nails and eyebrows if you wish to protect them; then add one layer of tan. Don’t give in to the temptation to go heavy on the first go.
You can always add more later but you can’t take away.
- Trowelled on Foundation
Oh Pan Stick. We thought that you were the bees knees. The make up of make up artists no less! What you neglected to mention was that the MUA’s were not applying it in quite the same way that we were. I distinctly remember a solid line that stopped at my jaw line. My white neck and my orange face perfectly divided.
In fact trying to use foundation as fake tan may also fall into this category, a favourite bug bear of our Laura. Unfortunately those days aren’t over yet. We may have moved on from Pan Stick, but we still apply our foundation with a heavy hand, looking to mask ourselves rather than enhance.
If heavy foundation is your go to look, whether purely from preference or because you may have something like a birth mark that you feel more comfortable hiding, then take a read of our piece on how best to apply them (link).
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- Night-Time Eyes in the Day
We’ve all been there, more is more right? Nope, not when it comes to makeup. Our heavier coverage foundation, glitter eye shadow, thick liner and false lashes are not made for day wear. And yet I’ve even met girls in the gym that look like they’re heading off to a club (and FYI if you’re not sweating enough for that makeup to be running down your face then you’re not doing it right!)
So girls, between the hours of 9am and 6pm think less is more. A lighter coverage foundation or BB/CC cream, a touch of bronzer if it’s a sunny day, light blush and a natural eyes. Shades of cream and brown (non glitter) are generally a safe go to for all skin tones. Then you can go all out when the sun goes down and you’re getting the glad rags on!
- Brow-zaster
Back in the day my friends and I were zealous over pluckers. In fact one close friend found it very relaxing and found it difficult to stop (you know who you are). Our mothers before us were even worse with some of them now suffering the effects of having no brows left at all to speak of.
These days you still see the odd over plucker, but what’s more common is the badly drawn on fake brow. There are a plethora of superb brow products on the market these days. Personally I love Benefit’s Brow-zing but there are of course other options. There are also salon treatments that you can avail of, from a basic shape and tint to a HD Brow or even Embrowdery.
What I’d suggest is finding a repuatable local salon and even if you only get a shape and tint done once, then you’ll have a basic shape that suits your face and you can continue to copy using your own products and tweezers at home if you wish.
- The Shtank
Yes that is a word. Way back when, that meant So? or Charlie Red or ‘!’ perfume. You’ll recognise the smell before you identify the person that it’s coming from. It’s eau de teenage disco. It reeks of cheap perfume and a heavy hand. I wasn’t happy until I’d almost bathed in the stuff!
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Buy the best perfume that your budget will allow for. Even save and then treat yourself or ask family to buy you a specific one for your birthday or Christmas. And remember, if you can smell it, it’s too much. A spray in front of you and a walk through the mist should be enough, or possibly just your pulse points.
You know what, it's cool to make mistakes, that's how we learn. Have you any more faux pas to add to the list? We need to compile a comprehensive list for the makeup wearers of the future!
