Seven beauty blunders you may be making
THE most common mistakes, and expert advice on how to remedy them.
Everyone can make beauty mistakes. Here are some of the most common blunders and fixes that will remedy the situation in no time.
Applying perfume incorrectly
Many people say that you should apply perfume to your clothes, but according to fragrance expert Samantha Taylor, this is a big no-no. She says the correct method is to apply to the pulse points, such as the neck, the inside of the elbow and the wrist. She also says you shouldn’t rub your wrists together, instead you should allow the fragrance to unfold on the skin naturally.
Plucking your eyebrows while you’re standing too close to the mirror
When you’re focused on every little hair up close, you miss seeing the shape and symmetry of your eyebrows. The result? Super-thin and/or uneven brows. Makeup artists suggest you should find a large mirror near a window, then step back a few metres to survey your face. Brows should be in proportion to your face shape and the placement and size of your features. Move closer to the mirror and begin tweezing. Step back after every few hairs to check the shape and evenness.
Cutting your cuticles
Put down those clippers. Right now. Experts say this is one of the biggest mistakes people make when doing DIY manicure. After soaking your nails in warm, soapy water you should gently push back your cuticles with a cuticle stick, but never cut them so you can avoid a nasty infection and damage the nail.
Forgetting to put sunscreen on the back of your hands
Want to get an indication of how old someone actually is (plastic surgery or no plastic surgery?) Look at the backs of their hands. Many people apply sunscreen to their arms, but forget their hands, which is crazy when you think how exposed this area is (the back of the hands is a prime spot for skin cancer). So each morning when you apply your SPF to your face, make sure you do your hands as well.
Applying foundation directly after moisturiser
Not giving your moisturiser time to dry before applying your foundation is a waste of time as it will either wipe right off or thin out beyond recognition. If any product does actually stick to your face, you will still end up with blotchiness and uneven coverage and your foundation’s staying power will be affected. The key is to wait at least 60 seconds, until your moisturiser is absorbed. If you’re in a rush, blot your face gently with a tissue after moisturising, then apply foundation.
Forgetting your neck
When you’re applying products to your face, don’t stop at the chin. The skin on your neck is just as prone to changes in pigment, elasticity and texture and needs nourishing and protection just as your face does. When applying moisturiser, treatments and sunscreen to your face, cover your neck and chest as well. And don’t be conned into thinking you need a separate neck cream; your day and night face moisturisers work just as well on your neck. If you use products containing alpha hydroxy acids or retinols, always do a spot test on your neck first.
Conditioning all of your hair
If you apply conditioner the way you do shampoo, stop now! Apart from wasting your conditioner, applying it to your roots can weigh your hair down and make it look flat and greasy. Why? The hair closest to the roots is new growth and is nourished from oil on your scalp. It’s the ends, which are older and more likely to be damaged, that need the conditioning.
Instead, start at your ears and apply conditioner, concentrating on the ends of your hair. You’ll also gain volume and you won’t have to wash your hair as often.