Beauty Tips: Six Signs that prove it's time to Change the contents of your Makeup Bag.

I have been a professional makeup artist for 15 years, and I am guilty of it myself. We are tired and busy; we don't have time to sit down and really let a professional try 10 foundations on our jawline, so we just order on Amazon and have it delivered to our door. Yet when makeup doesn't match or doesn't fit our skin type, there's nothing worse. We get stuck in a rut, and we are afraid of change. But our skin and lifestyle has changed, and it's important to remember that what worked when we were 16 doesn't necessarily work when we are 30.



Here are six red flags that prove it's time to reassess the contents of your makeup bag.

Your Foundation Doesn't Match

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.

Your Mascara Flakes

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.

Your Concealer Doesn't Help

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.

Your Eyeliner Smudges

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.

Your Foundation Doesn't Cover Anything

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.

Your Lipstick Bleeds

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.

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, this is for you.

Credit: Popsugar