The List: Top 5 Common Beauty Mistakes (And How To Fix Them)!

We've all done it; tried to apply eyeliner before a party when we had no idea how to create a wing, or gone to bed without washing all of our makeup off. While mistakes are a part of life, there are several common (yet less obvious) beauty blunders that are seriously taking away from our routines. Read on to find out what they are and how to fix them!

Mistake #1: Expecting Instant Gratification

It's great when we test out a product and see results right away. However, some of the best skin serums and hair masks can take multiple applications over weeks or months to show visible improvement. If you're growing out your hair, don't expect your conditioner to add instant length and shine. If you're treating acne, give your spot treatment more than four hours to do its job. Lots of beauty products work best if used over time, especially ones that fight issues like dry hair, acne scarring, or uneven skin tone. If you have the patience and persistence to stick with a product and a routine, you will see results - and they'll be way better than the improvements you can achieve with something that works instantly. 

Mistake #2: Being an Overachiever

We all want to recreate a celebrity look or try out a dramatic eye sometimes, and that's totally fine. But keep your skill level in mind - how experienced are you with dark shadows? How many times have you worked with glitter liner? Remember that even the simplest makeup look, when done properly, can be absolutely gorgeous. However, jumping into something new and complicated without practice can result in a look that's messy or hasty. When you're getting ready for a party or a day out with friends, stick to what you know. If you want to test out new looks or expand your skills, set aside some time on the weekend to practice. That way, by the time that you do want to create the look, you'll be a pro. 

Mistake #3: Using the Products That Your Friends Recommend
With all the products out there on the market, it's always great when your friend can recommend something that works. And some of the time, that's fine - beauty bloggers dish out recommendations quite often, too. It's not wrong to buy a product based on a rave review or glowing testimonial from a friend, but it is important to make sure that the product is designed for you, too. If a friend with dry skin tells you to check out a moisturiser, and you have oily skin, chances are it'll be too heavy for you. Something might work perfectly for one person, but not every product is effective on every skin or hair type. Instead, look up reviews for products that are specifically designed for your needs, or ask a dermatologist or beauty consultant about what's best for you.

Mistake #4: Forgetting to Check the Ingredients
I've seen tons of people (even experienced makeup artists) make this mistake on so many occasions. Before buying anything, from a drugstore concealer to a high end cleanser, always read the ingredients. You should be looking for things like parabens (a preservative which can irritate sensitive skin and make issues like acne worse) and mineral oil (a heavy oil, also found in gasoline, which can block pores and cause negative reactions with skin). If you have other issues or allergies, you might want to avoid other ingredients as well. I don't know how many people I've met who are struggling with blemishes, yet keep using products with irritating ingredients! Make sure that you check everything before you buy, read reviews (even on drugstore products), and educate yourself. If you're in a pinch and can't make sense of the ingredients, download an app like Think Dirty, which allows you to scan the bar-code of a product and see if it contains any toxic or hormone-disrupting chemicals.

Mistake #5: Following Makeup and Skincare Trends
While it's fun to break out pastel colours in spring and play with bright eyeshadows in the summer, it's important to remember that trends are simply designed to make people purchase products. Looking trendy can be fun, but always keep in mind what colours and undertones look best on you. If you have very warm skin, a cool-toned pink blush might not be your best bet, even if it's popular for this season. Make sure that you stock up on classic products that are flattering on you year-round, so that when a trend pops up, you can decide if it's something you want to go for, and incorporate it naturally into your routine. In my opinion, looking classically beautiful and being comfortable with your products always beats looking on-trend.

I hope you enjoyed these quick tips for avoiding common beauty mistakes! If you have any other tips, don't hesitate to share them; I'm always looking to learn something new.