Beauty Blunders: Which Ones You Should Avoid

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By Mia Bolaris-Forget

As women we likely go to great lengths to ensure we feel great by looking great. But, now it seems some of the things that make us look and feel sexiest may be damaging to us, and our overall appearance.

· Fragrant tresses: Spritzing perfume into your lavish locks may seem like the ideal way to keep your scent lingering. Note that many fragrances contain alcohol which is drying and damaging to hair, as well as other ingredients which may be “toxic” to your health, if you breath too much of them in. Consider instead adding a drop of your favourite fragrance into the palm or your hair or on a cloth and gently running through your tresses.

· Lip service: Most of us ladies line our lips pre lipstick application. Well, according to experts, we’ve been getting it “wrong” all this time. They suggest first applying hue, then outlining lips. This makes lining easier as pencil can now glide on more easily and smoothly giving a more natural look. Just make sure to use a hue that’s close to the shade of your lipstick for naturally luscious looking lips.

· Keep your distance: From the mirror, when tweezing, that is. Being too close to your reflection can result in a loss to proper perspective and that may mean leaving too much space between brows. In fact, you may wind up looking like your scowling, so step back, at least a foot for beautiful brows.

· Avoid mascara mishaps: Trying to extract more mascara from your tube is an effort in futility since it forces air into the chamber mixing with the contents and resulting in mascara to distribute unevenly on you lashes. It may also result it softening the mascara and causing smudging.

· Opt for extra protection: Rather than covering up “wrinkles”, don’t leave the house without lathing on some SPF, even if you foundation already contains some. Experts assert you’ll definitely need more than your wearing so make SPF 30 part of your daily makeup routine.

· Stop rubbing yourself the wrong way: If you’re like to spritz your wrists with a hint of fragrance then rub together, you “may” be distorting the scent’s intended smell by mixing it with the natural oils found in your skin. Instead simply spray each wrist, nape of your neck and décolletage and let natural body heat do the rest.

· “ Thinsulate” your skin: Instead of a super “rich” moisturizer, consider one that is thinner in consistency. According to experts, most of us have combination skin, and the oils in heavier creams can actually clog pores and cause acne. Instead consider applying product only to the outer limits of your face or using thicker creams on extremely cold days or on long flights, when skin is most depleted of moisture. On a daily basis, use a hydrating lotion or fluid which are less likely to make you break out.

· Less is more: At least when it comes to exfoliation. In fact, too much of an otherwise good thing can wind up drying out your skin and “eroding” the top layer. Moreover, robbing your skin of essential moisture results in it producing more oil and therefore more acne as well. So, when it comes to cleaning and exfoliation stick to a gentle scrub no more than twice a week.

· Widen your hair care horizons: Detangling hair should be done immediately following washing, but you should use a wide-tooth comb rather than a narrow, skinny one, or a brush with bristles that can catch and tear your tresses. Wide-tooth combs on the other hand have enough space so that hair gently slips between “bristles”.

· Stylish Filing: Rather than using a back and forth motion which can cause nails to tear, file nails in one direction only and in the same shape as your cuticle, giving it the best shape to prevent breakage. It’s also best to use an emery board with a high grit, and that means one that is generally smooth. If you have a metal one, just remember to proceed gently and with caution.

· A little goes a long way: At least when it comes to conditioning your hair. All you need a half-dollar size amount applies to the middle and ends or hair, since those are the areas that get the most exposure. And, believe it or not, it’s not necessary to treat your roots, since they already have “conditioner” provided by the body’s natural oils, and more will only weight hair down, resulting in limp locks.

· Foundation of youth: For best results opt for a concealer that’s the same colour of your foundation. Why? Because it will help hide shadows and light-reflectiong particles offer you a brighter glow.

· Top it off: Rather than re-dying your entire mane, simple touch up the roots. Applying new colour to the ends only makes them look darker or lighter (if you’re bleaching) and makes them stand out more, not necessarily in a good way.