Photo by CC user gerryimages on Pixabay

Let’s face it. As women, we spend a huge amount of time and money to keep ourselves looking and feeling great. But there are many mistakes most of us make on a daily basis that we are totally unaware of. Below is a list of 8 of the most common beauty blunders and the simplest ways to avoid them.

1. Taking long, hot showers

Hot water is really bad for your skin as it strips many of the natural oils away, leaving your skin feeling dry. Instead, try to reduce shower time to around ten minutes and only use warm water. Warm water is better for your skin and doesn’t strip natural oils away leaving you with softer, hydrated skin which is less prone to dryness.

2. Not letting your moisturiser dry

Applying foundation too soon after moisturiser is an easy mistake to make when getting ready in a hurry. However, it is best to let your moisturiser completely absorb into the skin prior to adding any additional layers. Applying products onto creams before they have dried may affect their coverage or staying power so it’s best to wait at least 60 seconds before continuing with your makeup routine.

3. Application of conditioner

Applying conditioner to the roots of the hair will lead to oily hair which requires more washing. Over washing your hair strips away the natural oils produced by the scalp and can be detrimental to the health of your hair, so as a rule of thumb, try to only apply your conditioning treatments to the very ends of the hair and aim to wash your hair once or twice a week.

4. Using perfume as a finishing touch

Not only can perfume ruin clothing and tarnish jewellery, but application over clothing can reduce the staying power. According to The Fragrance Gallery, it’s best to spritz the scent onto pulse points as the heat generated by these areas will warm up the perfume and help the scent to stay throughout the day.

5. Tying your hair too tight

However chic the slicked back ponytail or topknot may be, tying your hair back too tight could be damaging your hair. Having your hair pulled too tight can create tension headaches, promote a receding hairline, cause breakage and pull the skin around your face, reducing the skin’s elasticity. Keep these hairstyles for special occasions and when at home opt for a softer hairband which will keep the hair away from your face without pulling it too taught.

6. Neglecting the neck

Most of us look after our face by applying creams and other products to keep our skin looking healthy and youthful. However, the same cannot be said for the skin on our neck, even though this skin is just as prone to dryness, wrinkles and a change in texture as we get older. Most face products will be just as effective on the sensitive skin on our necks, so the next time you apply your favourite anti-ageing potion, just keep going all the way down to the chest! 


7. Over treating blemishes

You’ve broken out just before a big event, your first instinct is to douse your face in anything that might kill the bacteria causing the problem – wrong. Step away from the bathroom cabinet, over medicating blemishes can cause the blemish and surrounding skin to become even more red, sore and irritated. Less is more with blemish fighting treatments so try to adhere to the directions on the packaging.

8. Plucking too close to the mirror

Being precise with your brows is always a good idea but try not to get carried away. Paying too much attention close up could mean you lose track of the bigger picture. Instead, find a mirror, take a step back and access your brows, then move in close remove a small amount of the hair and then assess the situation again. Repeat until you have your desired shape.

Avoiding these common mistakes could make a real difference to your beauty regime, so next time you’re undergoing any of the above treatments, try to keep these simple tips in mind!