Do You Make These 5 Common Beauty Mistakes?

Yesterday I talked about some of the most common style mistakes, so to continue on the subject, today I thought I’d mention some beauty mistakes that are just as prolific.

From doing your makeup the same way you did in high school to just not taking care of your skin as well as you should, there are a few common beauty mistakes most women make at some point. Do you make any of the top 5 mistakes? Find out below.

1. Not washing your makeup brushes.

The scenario: You put your makeup on with brushes every day, but rarely get around to washing them. You figure cleaning them off once in a while is enough. After all, who wants to wait for a makeup brush to dry when you need to get ready? You figure it’s just one of those things you’d do if you had lots of free time.

Why it’s a mistake: I’ll admit it: I’m guilty of neglecting to wash my makeup brushes occasionally, but have recently gotten a lot better about it.

Here’s the deal: You need to clean your makeup brushes at least once a week with a gentle cleanser – especially if you use them all over your face. Bacteria can grow on makeup brushes, which then gets spread around your face and causes breakouts. Dirty makeup applicators are a HUGE cause of acne. I’ve noticed a huge difference in my skin just cleaning my makeup brushes more often. Here’s a tip for letting your makeup brushes dry: wrap them in a towel and lay them flat. This will absorb excess oil and won’t damage the fibers.

2. Going to sleep without washing off your makeup.

The scenario: We’ve all been there: after a late night out you come home and can’t wait to crawl into bed. You’re so tired that making the trek all the way to the bathroom seems like a monumental task. So you forgo washing your face and sleep with all your makeup still on.

Why it’s a mistake: One word: acne. Another word: wrinkles. One more: (okay, it’s a phrase) possible eye problems. I’m sure you already know, but you should never go to sleep with your makeup still on. Not only does it create a breeding ground for acne bacteria (just what we all need, right?), but it also prevents oxygen from reaching your skin, which can age your face and dry skin out. Eye makeup is especially important to remove before bed – leaving it on can cause a whole slew of optical problems. No fun!

There’s really no excuse not to remove your makeup before bed, no matter how tired you are. If you can’t force yourself to make it to the sink when you’re THAT tired, just keep some baby wipes or makeup remover wipes in your bedroom. A quick swipe and you’re all set. Minimal effort and you’ll be saving your skin.

3. Forgoing sunblock unless you’re going to the beach.

The scenario: You know you’re supposed to wear sunblock every day, but who has time for that? After all, it’s not like you sunburn really easily unless you bake out in the sun for hours. Who has time for ANOTHER step in your makeup routine? Not you.

Why it’s a mistake: This one is easy to make because who wants to bother slathering on sunblock EVERY time you go out in the sun? Unfortunately skin damage happens every time you go out in the sun, even if you don’t notice its effects immediately. Sun damage means wrinkles, premature skin aging, sagging, a leathery appearance, and of course increased risk of skin cancer.

The only solution for this one is to start wearing SPF 15 (at LEAST – and SPF 30 would really be better) every single time you go outdoors. Even when it’s cloudy out. Even when you’ll only be outside for an hour. Even when you don’t feel like it. Add sunscreen to your daily routine – your face will thank you in the long run.

4. Doing your makeup the same way you did in high school.

The scenario: You know how you like to do your makeup: one way and one way only. All throughout high school you stuck to one look. You have your routine down, you always buy the same products, and experimentation is a word reserved for someone else.

Why it’s a mistake: Think about it: the clothes you wear change as you get older and your sense of style evolves. Why shouldn’t your makeup evolve as well?

Perhaps thick black liner and tons of bronzer made you feel good in high school, but it might not be the best look for you now. Trying a bold purple smokey eye for a night out or a bright red lip with neutral eyes might do wonders for your face, but you’ll never know if you don’t try! Have fun with makeup and don’t be afraid to ditch your current routine and overhaul things to gain a new perspective. Who knows? You might just find a new makeup look you like even better.

5. Using makeup as a crutch.

The scenario: Everyone has done this at some point: you get so attached to a certain product that you NEVER go without it. In fact, it often takes over your entire look. For me, in the past this was definitely eyeliner. I would wear it every day, rain or shine, without fail. Looking back on myself now, I can’t believe how overpowering it was! Sometimes a certain product can really take over without you noticing.

Why it’s a mistake: This is the beauty version of using color as a crutch, which I talked about in yesterday’s fashion mistakes article. By becoming dependent on one type of makeup, you’re limiting your look, as well as possibly going overboard and making yourself look bad.

Makeup needs to be adaptable for different situations. It should also be creative – they don’t call them “makeup artists” for nothing. When you rely on one product – eyeliner for example, you limit the possibilities. Maybe a softer, unlined smokey eye would look great on you, but you’ll never test it out if you’re obsessed with eyeliner. Also, if you’re really attached to a certain product, it’s likely that you’re overdoing it. I recommend cutting back on how much of that product you use gradually. Once you have some perspective, you’ll probably realize you were using it way too much.

Your Thoughts?

So what do you think of these beauty mistakes? Have you made any of them yourself? Share your tips for combatting beauty mistakes, as well as your favorite beauty-gone-wrong stories in the comments section! Can’t wait to see what you guys think.