How many times have you gone to bed without removing your make up first? Used a rubber band to tie your hair? Used fairy liquid instead of shampoo? (Ok, so the last one is just me). If you have found yourself making beauty mistakes don’t be too disheartened, a new study on women’s beauty habits proves that you are not alone…
A study by professional hair care website Hairtrade.com has shown that nine out of ten British women admit to making grooming mistakes almost everyday. Amongst them are washing our hair too much, not taking care of finger nails, neglecting our necks and forgetting to wash make up brushes.
It seems that even when we think we are doing the right things, we could be getting it very wrong. Experts say that applying too much conditioner can actually make your hair look worse by weighing it down and clogging your pores – especially if you have fine or thin hair. If you thought you were ok applying just any old hair product, think again. Using heated tools on your hair could cause damage without the application of a heat protector – not every product does this.
What are we doing wrong?
A focus group of women aged 25-40 found the following to be the ten most common hair and beauty mistakes:
1. Washing hair too much
You may believe that by washing your hair everyday you’re keeping it squeaky clean and in top condition. You’re wrong. Washing your locks so frequently means you strip them of their natural oils and are actually doing more harm than good. This is an easy mistake to put right, try washing your hair every other day then, over time, stretch it to every three days. You’ll find your hair looks healthier and you’ll get an extra half hour in bed in the morning.
2. Applying too much conditioner
Most of us apply conditioner all over our hair, just as we do with shampoo. The hair at our roots is new, healthier growth, however at the tips it is older and more likely to be damaged. Concentrate on the tips of your hair as it will save you conditioner and leave those ends looking better and full of volume.
3. Not using a heat protector
There really is no excuse for not protecting your hair when you use hairdryers and straighteners most days. Blasting your hair with all that heat without shielding it in someway will leave it dry, frizzy and in poor condition.
4. Tying your ponytail in the same place
If you always wear your hair up in a tight ponytail, then try not to tie it in exactly the same place everyday. It can cause too much tension on the hair and over time can weaken it.
5. Forgetting to wash make-up brushes
It’s one of those jobs you know you should do but just can’t be bothered. If you fail to give your brushes a good clean then not only will you have mixed colours, you’re also allowing bacteria to build up. Aim to give your brushes a clean once a week.
6. Neglecting your neck
As part of your daily skin care routine, do you cleanse and moisturise your neck? Thought not. Don’t stop at your chin, make sure you carry on and take care of the thin, delicate skin on your neck. This area can be prone to sensitivity so it is really important to look after it.
7. Over-treating and over-covering spots
It’s too easy to apply every spot cream you have to your face as soon as you have a breakout, but don’t. They work on your skin for hours so make sure you always follow the pack instructions to the letter. Likewise, don’t cake your spots in make-up. Your skin needs time to breath.
8. Applying foundation before moisturiser is dry
Moisturiser needs time to dry, so give it a minute before you start applying your foundation. The creaminess of moisturiser can cause make up to thin out, so if you apply too quickly you’ll get a streaky look.
9. Plucking eyebrows too close to the mirror
If you pluck too close to the mirror, you could find yourself looking at every hair rather than looking at the overall shape of your eyebrows. This can leave you with thin, uneven brows. Instead, use a large mirror and take a couple of steps back so you can see your whole face, not just your eyebrows.
10. Yellow nails
If you love nail art and never leave the house without a new design or colour on your talons, then you could be prone to yellow nails. Constant decoration can change the natural colour of the nails. The answer? Always apply a base coat and this will help prevent the stains.
Which are you guilty of?