1. Using a dark shade of foundation to appear more tanned.
Some of you, especially the clever makeup artist-y types might disagree with this, (but they are much more talented than us at everything so we forgive them) but I do agree with it being a faux pas, “it” being using a darker tint of foundation to tan one’s face. You see, foundation exists to match and even out the skin tone and lightly conceal imperfections (and in some cases add radiance or mattify shiny skin) and make you look, well, better, as well as create a uniform canvas for the colour cosmetics you’ll apply next. By using a shade that is too dark for your skin you risk looking muddy and all of the great benefits of foundation listed above don’t really work. A better way to go about it is to either apply face self tanner (I like Lavera Faces Calendula Summer Glow) to cleansed skin under your skin care (let it sink in for 20 minutes or so before applying your skin care) and let that bring on a more natural, all over tan, or, finally and as most of us do, gently use bronzer on the points of the face where the sun would naturally touch, were we stupid enough to let it. I think liquid or gel bronzers (such as The Body Shop Honey Bronze Face Gel or Dr.Hauschka Translucent Bronze Concentrate) are the most subtle and “skin-like” and look terrific and gleaming when buffed in gently with a fluffy blush brush. Set with a translucent powder or a soft wash of powder bronzer.
2. Going overboard on the luminisers.