We are all guilty of committing bad habits when it comes to skin care and makeup application. My worst beauty habit: Going to bed with my makeup still on...My excuse: Pure laziness. I have tried to identify some of the most common bad habits, why they're bad, and what you can do about them (note: bad beauty habits are not the same as makeup faux pas...don't even get me started on those!)
1. Going to bed with your makeup on
Why it’s bad:
· Products can build up in your pores and cause breakouts
· Mascara can crust which causes your lashes to become brittle and break off
· Dried mascara attracts dirt and bacteria and can cause eye infections
What to do:
· Keep a package of make-up removing wipes in your nightstand for those moments when you are absolutely too lazy to remove your makeup
· Otherwise remove your makeup – if you wear more eye makeup (especially waterproof mascara), you will want to remove it first, followed by a wipe to remove to your face makeup or your regular cleansing routine
2. Using expired makeup
Why it’s bad:
· Bottles of foundation and mascara are a breeding ground for bacteria which can cause breakouts or eye infections
· Foundation becomes thicker over time which causes an uneven application
· Mascaras also become thicker over the time and can give you "tarantula eyes"
What to do:
· Toss mascara three months after opening
· Toss foundation after 12 – 18 months
3. Using dirty brushes and makeup
Why it’s bad:
· Dirty brushes and makeup can cause bacteria to grow which causes skin and eye infections and break-outs
· Oils from your skin and your skincare products can build-up on your powders, blushes, and eyeshadows causing them to cake up which makes it difficult to pick up product
What to do:
· Wash your makeup brushes at least once a month. I use baby shampoo and warm water. Between washes, I use MAC brush cleanser and a face cloth.
· Regularly sharpen your lipliners and eyeliners with a clean sharpener
· Clean your makeup with a cosmetic sanitizer or rubbing alcohol (90% alcohol content) often
4. Not applying a sunscreen to your face daily
Why it’s bad:
· The sun's rays cause premature wrinkling, age spots, and MELANOMA
What to do:
· Wear a moisturizer with an SPF all year round
· In the summer, wear a stronger sunscreen daily (I like Neutrogena’s ULTRA SHEER Face Sunscreen). Apply sunscreen before you put on your moisturizer because it needs to be absorbed directly into the skin in order to be completely effective.
5. Popping pimples and blackheads
Why it’s bad:
· Picking at a zit can cause scarring, spread infection, and cause more acne
· When you squeeze a pimple, you may force infected material deeper into the pores which can cause blemishes to become red, more painful, and inflamed (yuck!)
What to do:
· If you have problems with blackheads, look into changing your skin care regime
· If you absolutely MUST pop the whitehead, use the ends of two q-tips to gently force the infected material out rather than your fingertips or finger nails (or use a blemish extractor)
