7 beauty blunders you’re probably making

While you might think you have your beauty routine down pat, it is more than likely you have missed the mark on a few things.

Here are some of the most common beauty mistakes and how to fix them.

Not applying skincare products beyond the face

Has your face been getting all the skincare love?

Dermal therapist Leelah Linke says it time to go beyond.

“Don’t forget about your decolletage,” Leelah says.

“With almost all your skincare you can use it down to your neck and decolletage.”

Brushing wet hair

For most of us, brushing our hair when it’s wet is something we do on autopilot, but hair stylist Paul Jennings says you need to rethink this.

“Hair is at its weakest when it’s wet,” Paul says.

“It can overstretch and snap, leading to split ends and damage.”

If you must brush wet hair, using the right tool is important.

“If you have fine hair a detangling brush is best to work out the knots and for thicker hair a wide tooth comb is ideal,” Paul says.

“Also brush from the bottom and using detangling spray never goes astray.”

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Testing lipstick on the back of your hand

While shopping for lipstick, you have more than likely done a few colour swatches on the back of your hand to see if the colour suits.

Wrong testing spot, according to make-up artist Julia Green.

“When choosing a lipstick colour, swipe it on the pad of your fingertip rather than the back of your hand,” Julia says.

“The colour of your finger pad is much closer to the colour of your lips so you will get a better sense of what the lipstick colour will look like once applied.”

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Cleansing your face only once

Leelah says it’s time to embrace the double cleanse.

Adopting a two-step cleansing routine means you’re able to remove things such as make-up, sunscreen and dirt in the first cleanse, with a second cleanse tackling whatever wasn’t removed the first time, along with leftover cleanser residue.

“You can mix it up with an oil cleanser to remove and soften make-up then (you could) follow it up with a light enzymatic foaming cleanser, or do a simple double milk cleanse,” she says.

Also, Leah says you shouldn’t rely on make-up wipes to cleanse the skin, and if you do use them you should definitely follow up with a cleanser.

“Would you eat off dirty dishes that had just been wiped down?” Leah says.

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Not cleaning make-up brushes and sponges

Whenever people complain about their skin having breakouts, Julia says one of the first things she asks is how often they clean their make-up brushes and sponges.

“You should wash your make-up brushes at least once a week,” Julia says.

“On my personal brushes, I use a brush sanitising spray daily and then once a week give them a deep clean using Sard soap and water and allow them to dry flat on a towel.”

With less bacteria and grime being applied along with your make-up, you will notice the difference in your skin.

• Step by step: How to clean your make-up tools

Using the same towel for body and face

Hygiene is important, especially if you are dealing with skin conditions such as acne, dermatitis, psoriasis and fungal skin infections.

“Using a different towel helps to reduce the cross contamination,” Leelah says.

“With all linen and towels, remember, it’s not just about having multiples but keeping them clean, replacing regularly, letting them properly dry and appropriate storage to reduce nasties building up or taking over.”

Washing hair in hot water

“If water is too hot you can dehydrate your scalp and make hair frizzy and lifeless,” Paul warns.

He suggests washing your hair with warm water to help the hair cuticles open, enabling the shampoo to work more effectively in removing oil and dirt, and finishing off with a cold rinse to close the hair cuticles and follicles.

“This helps to maintain a healthy scalp and create extra shine and smoothness.”

Read more practical health and beauty tips in the May edition of Wellness+, available free at your local Chemist Warehouse.

Written by Tania Gomez.