Hair and makeup are the most common areas where people make mistakes. From over-washing our hair to applying too much makeup, these mistakes can significantly impact our overall look.
Here is a list of eighteen common hair and makeup mistakes everyone makes.
Excessive washing
Frequent washing can lead to hair breakage, especially when using harsh shampoos. Shampoos remove oil from the hair, oil that sebaceous glands secrete, and help moisturize the hair. This causes hair breakage and frizziness.
While there are no rules about how often one should wash their hair, dermatologists suggest not washing hair more than necessary.
Brushing wet hair
Our hair is very sensitive when it’s wet, and brushing can stretch, pull, and even tear our hair. However, if you have curly hair, you should brush it when wet because it can make untangling easy without any tugging that could damage it. For those with straight hair, brushing when the hair is wet can stretch and tear the hair strands; hence, it is better to wait until the hair is dry.
Skipping Conditioner
Many skip conditioners without realizing their importance. A conditioner doesn’t just moisturize the hair; it also protects hair from sun exposure, heat, and pollution. Dermatologists recommend conditioners with UV filters to shield hair from sun exposure and prevent color fading, dryness, and damage. Skipping conditioner can lead to split ends, hair fall, and damaged hair.
Washing hair with hot water
Many wash their hair with scalding hot water; understandably, it can be soothing; however, washing hair with hot water is a bad idea. Hot damages the hair, making it dry and brittle. It also interferes with hair growth by drying out the scalp.
The ideal temperature for hair wash is 100F, just above our body temperature, providing sufficient warmth without damaging the hair.
Aggressive Towel drying
Towel drying should be done gently; aggressively towel drying your hair leads to frizz. It also puts unnecessary pressure on our hair and can cause long-term damage, including hair loss. Rather than aggressively rubbing the hair, it’s better to pat the hair dry gently and let it dry on its own.
Using dirty combs
Dirty combs contain dead skin cells and dirt, which can cause dandruff and other scalp infections. Experts recommend cleaning and sanitizing your combs and brushes once a month. Uncleaned combs and brushes reintroduce bacteria and dead skin to your hair, cause excess oil buildup, spread yeast, and lead to scalp damage that could have lasting effects.
Using wrong pillowcases
Our pillowcases attract 3-5 million bacteria within one week, which is 17,000 times more than the toilet seat. This is why it’s important to pay attention to our pillowcases. Many use cotton pillowcases, which absorb more bacteria than silk. Silk is naturally resistant to allergens, and unlike cotton, it has minimal friction against the skin, reducing irritation and blemishes.
Cotton also absorbs everything from oil to sweat, which causes breakouts on the face. Its rough texture also causes hair breakage.
Plucking white hair
Many pluck their white or gray hair, but this is a mistake. Plucking hair can cause the hair follicle to become infected, forming a pustule. It can also cause premature hair loss, and people who repeatedly pluck their hair can get permanent bald spots. Plucking hair can also cause scarring due to the trauma caused to the hair follicle.
Wrong Foundation
Using the wrong foundation shade or formula is one of the most common makeup mistakes people make. Choosing a foundation that doesn’t match your skin tone can result in an unnatural look. Selecting a formula that doesn’t suit your skin type can also lead to issues – a matte foundation on dry skin can cause flakiness, while a dewy formula on oily skin can cause excessive shine and can even clog the pores.
Overusing Setting spray
Setting spray helps lock in makeup and make it last longer. However, spraying too much setting spray will sit on your skin, giving you a sweaty or oily look. It can also sometimes smudge the makeup. Apart from this, overusing it can clog pores and lead to breakouts. The spray also contains alcohol, which can irritate the skin and damage the skin barrier.
Going to bed with makeup
Never go to bed with makeup on. Never! This is the most common mistake many people make. Sleeping with makeup on can clog your pores and lead to breakouts, irritation, and skin dehydration. Dermatologists also claim that sleeping with makeup on can lead to premature aging.
Foundation after Eye Makeup
This is the most common makeup mistake; applying foundation after eye makeup can make the foundation look patchy. It can also cause the tones around the eyes to look different from the rest of the face.
It is essential to apply the foundation first, blend it properly all over the face, including the eyes, and then apply eye makeup.
Excessive eye makeup
Using too much eye makeup can cause dark circles. Eye products can sometimes dry the eyes and cause irritation and Eye Styes. Limiting eye makeup, not using products that cause irritation, and removing all traces of makeup before sleep is essential.
Neglecting Neck and Ears
This is the most common makeup mistake. When applying foundation, remember to also apply it to the neck and ears. The tone on your face should match that of your neck and ears; otherwise, the whole makeup can look bad. A mismatch in the face and neck tones can make the makeup look amateur and patchy.
Neglecting hair porosity
Hair porosity is the hair’s ability to absorb and retain moisture. It varies from person to person and can be tested easily at home. Knowing hair porosity can help you choose the right hair care products; however, neglecting hair porosity and using random products can lead to dryness and breakage.
Not moisturizing
Moisturizing the face before makeup is a very important step that many skip. This is because moisturizing hydrates the skin and allows for seamless makeup application. Not moisturizing can lead to flakiness, dryness, and irritation. Skin can also appear dull and become vulnerable to pollutants and bacteria. Moisturizing plumps up the skin, prevents makeup from settling into fine lines, and gives a better look.
Not reading labels
Many purchase makeup products because they are trending on social media without reading the labels. This is a big mistake because each skin type is different, and not all products suit everyone. Using the wrong makeup products can lead to allergic reactions and sometimes long-term damage to the skin.
Using everything at once
Using every makeup product in your kit at once is a bad idea. Too much product can damage the skin. Too many layers can prevent the skin from breathing and shedding dead cells, leading to breakouts, blackheads, and dull skin.