More makeup tips: Check out Nandi’s list of best and worst E.L.F products. This line offers some great bargains, if you know what to look for.

BY NANDI MUSENGWA  |  St. Petersburg High

Lest you want to look like a scary Halloween costume, here are five makeup mistakes and how to avoid them:

MISMATCHED FOUNDATION
The easiest way to tell that you’re wearing foundation? When it is several layers thick and your face doesn’t match the rest of your body. Not only does it look unnatural, but it also can clog pores and cause even more acne to cover up.

FIX IT
When applying makeup, the rule of thumb is that less is more. If you can, go without, using only concealer to cover up blemishes. Also, when shopping for foundation, use your jaw line as a guide to find the correct shade instead of your arm. It should blend into the color of your skin, above and below.

SPIDER LASHES
If your lashes look like you used up an entire tube of mascara on them, you’re either going to a Halloween party or you have a problem. Too much mascara weighs down your eyelids and is destined to smudge, making you look like you’ve been up all night.

FIX IT
The less mascara, the better. No more than two coats of good mascara will do it. It’s a good idea to curl your lashes beforehand to open up your eyes, making you look more alert and awake.

CRAZY BRIGHT EYE SHADOW
Though some magazines advertise bold/bright colors, this is 2012, not 1980. Save the crazy colors for Oct. 31.

FIX IT
For a pop of color, use bright colored eyeliner on your lower lash line. If you don’t own colored eyeliner, use a colorful eye shadow with a wet eyeliner brush. It will spice up your everyday look.

RACCOON EYES
This look is just plain frightening (BOO)! Extra thick eyeliner, especially encircling your eyes, is much too harsh to wear anywhere, ever.

FIX IT
You can’t go wrong with a neat cat eye. This look is timeless and clean. It accentuates your eyes without hiding them. The easiest way to achieve a simple cat eye is with gel eyeliner and an angled eyeliner brush.

TOO MUCH EVERYTHING
Too much makeup is a recipe for unwanted attention. Nothing can make you look more insecure than piling on the cosmetics. Too much makeup makes you look fake. Thick layers of foundation, loads of eye shadow and heaps of blush are unnecessary. It’s school, not the club.

FIX IT
Rock what you’ve got. Makeup is designed to enhance your natural beauty and highlight your best features, not to give yourself a whole new face. Resist the urge to pile on foundation; just cover up what is necessary. Go easy on the eye shadow; use it to compliment your eyes, not overpower them. Use blush to achieve a healthy glow without going overboard. The most important advice, embrace what you have. Makeup can’t fake confidence.