Everyone learns to do their makeup entirely differently. Of course, we may be influenced by the same brands and trending products, but how we choose to do our own makeup is entirely unique to us. Some women and men find an instant love for makeup, which is why many of them choose to pursue careers in it. Others struggle with their own makeup, and sometimes avoid wearing it completely. So what is it that makes some particularly good at applying makeup, and others, well, particularly bad? There’s no singular answer to this question, as how easy you find applying makeup can come down to a number of different factors. The most obvious is the products you’re using. While expensive doesn’t always mean better, makeup that’s extremely cheap is often made with lower quality ingredients that can sit on the skin differently or not last as well throughout the day. The second factor comes down to application and technique. Believe it or not, makeup professionals aren’t just naturally knowledgeable on how to apply makeup seamlessly. They’ve actually learnt it, and you can too. Before you test out recommended techniques on how to apply makeup, it’s important we debunk some popular makeup myths. Here are the beauty myths we’re leaving behind in 2026.
Myth One: Setting spray should be used at the end of your routine
Setting spray is commonly used to fix the makeup in place once it’s been applied, as well as hydrate the skin – even under all the products you’ve layered over it. There are a huge variety of different setting sprays to choose from, each with different ingredients and purposes depending on your skin type and the makeup finish you’re after. Although many believe that setting spray should only be used at the end of your makeup routine, it can be extremely beneficial when used in other steps of your routine too. Using setting spray on more than one occasion helps to focus the spray to certain areas of the face or to a product you’ve just applied. Makeup experts are now suggesting that setting spray can be used when the skin is clear, before any products are applied. This, along with a face primer, can help grip the makeup to the skin so it applies seamlessly and without any creases. You can also use setting spray after using cream products like a cream bronzer to help them melt into the skin, rather than blend out looking streaky.
Myth Two: Overline and contour the lips for the most definition
Many makeup professionals leave lips as one of the last steps in a makeup routine. Some prefer a distinct, matte lip, and others prefer something more natural and glossy. Over several decades, overlined and heavily contoured lips have become extremely popular, lost interest, then returned once again. While it might seem like achieving lip definition and size can be achieved from these methods, you’ll often find that they leave the lips looking harsh and unnatural. To naturally define the lips, try lightly applying the lip liner over the outer edges and gently blur the pencil lines with a small brush or your fingers. To finish, apply a natural-toned lip gloss that’s a similar tone to the lip liner for a soft and effortless look.