I've discussed in a previous article what additions you can make to your beauty routine to enhance your appearance with the least amount of effort. You may be surprised to know, though, that there are some things that are already a part of your routine that could be hurting rather than helping your hair, skin and overall appearance.
1. You're over-'pooing.
Our hair is not made to be shampooed nearly as often as most of us would like to. By washing your hair daily, you're stripping your hair of its natural oils, which causes your scalp to overproduce these oils. This gets you stuck in a greasy cycle of damaged hair and daily washes. If you have thin hair that feels oily quickly and you insist on washing daily, try alternating between your usual shampoo and conditioner regimen and a cleansing conditioner (I'm a big fan of this one), which is less harsh on your hair and even removes a step from your shower routine. Some people have even been able to replace the chemicals that they use on their hair entirely using the No-Poo Method, but I can't handle that kind of commitment.
2. You don't moisturize until your skin is already dry.
My mom always told us that if you're thirsty, it means you're already dehydrated. The same thing goes for your skin. If it's already dry and flaky, you've already waited too long to moisturize. Rather than waiting until the damage has already been done, you should be applying a rich moisturizer to your face and body each night. A light moisturizer like Garnier's gel cream is also a good idea in the morning to put a barrier on your skin as you face the day, as well as creating a smooth base for your makeup.
3. Your eye makeup is too bottom-heavy.
This look gives me major eighth grade flashbacks. Tightlining your bottom lash line with little to no color on your top lid can create an unbalanced and very bottom-heavy look. Your priority should be lining your top lash line, especially the outer edge, rather than just the bottom. For more tips on finding the right eye makeup look for you, check out some tutorials on Youtube and have fun experimenting!
4. You're so matte that you're flat.
There is nothing more fabulous than an ultra-matte lip or shine-free foundation, but when you combine that with a matte contour and blush and shimmer-free eye makeup, your look becomes a little 2-D. It's important to combine your gorgeous matte lip and foundation with a shimmery eye and glowing highlight/blush. You could also switch things up and pair a glossy lip and matte smoky eye. Just remember—variety is your friend.
5. You're not removing your makeup before washing your face.
I know it seems like common sense that whatever you're washing your face with is also removing your makeup, but that's not always the case. When you wash your face with makeup still on it, you're just rubbing it around along with the day's dirt and debris. Your best bet is to first use makeup remover, cleansing oil, baby wipes (my personal favorite), or a mild soap to remove your makeup so that your skin is free for the cleanser to penetrate and clear out your pores.
6. You're not drinking enough water.
Every single system in your body probably wants and needs more water than you're already giving them. An extra glass of water in the morning and before meals will kickstart your digestion, improve skin elasticity, boost your energy, and give your skin and hair an extra shine. Bonus points if you add lemon juice to your first glass of water of the day!
These tips (and many more to come!) will help you rectify the top five beauty mistake that you are already making. Your hair and skin will thank you when your beauty can shine both inside and out!
