Is that lipstick on your teeth? Oops! makeup moments and how to avoid them

When it comes to those little makeup no-no's, we have all been guilty at one point or the other. Here are makeup faux pas to help us keep in mind things to avoid before heading out.

Lipstick on teeth This is probably the most common 'Oops' makeup moments, and it's worst when you discover it yourself and think, that's why everyone was staring at you. Those occasional lipstick-on-the-teeth moments that seem unavoidable are, in fact, avoidable. Try the finger trick. After you apply your lipstick, stick a finger (clean fingers only please) in your mouth, close your lips around it and pull it out. It will take off the lipstick on the inner part of the lips that rubs off on your teeth.

Clown blush Remember that blush is meant to accentuate your cheek bones. Don't concentrate too much colour around your cheeks or you run the risk of making your cheeks appear heavy and clownish. Using a blush brush, sweep some blush from your cheeks, along your cheekbones towards your ear.

Cakey face I get the most questions on this one, but it truly comes down to one thing: DON'T APPLY TOO MUCH POWDER. Powder is a wonderful product as it gives a matte look to the face and makes your foundation last longer, but it can also be your worst nightmare since you can easily apply too much of it and and get a "cakey" complexion. Apply powder only where you feel you need it -- generally on the T-zone (nose, chin, and middle of forehead). If your skin is dry, you may not need powder at all.

Overdrawn eyebrows If your eyebrows are very light or super thin, you can still fill them in with an eyebrow pencil, but use it sparingly and apply in short strokes. Never use a black pencil to fill in your eyebrows. Instead, use a brown or dark brown one depending on your complexion. That way, your brows will look less harsh and more natural.

Ruth 'Ruthie' Kinuthia is a make-up professional and founder of Makeup by Ruthie.