I’m not really a New Year resolutions girl, because if something pops up in my mind, I usually just do it right then, so I approached today’s “Resolutions” linkup from another angle. Introducing a list of five common bad beauty habits and my suggestions on how to break them. Let’s see how many we can get rid of this year!
1. BITING YOUR NAILS
I don’t have to tell you that it’s an unsanitary habit [come on, do you really wash your hands every time before you take a bite?], so better save that “just bitten” look for your lips, not for your nails. Keeping your digits polished with nude color at all times will make your hands look neat and you will be less likely to bite them. If your nails are naturally thin and bendy like mine, an extra coat will also keep them from breaking and splitting.
2. NOT CLEANING MAKEUP BRUSHES
I am guilty of this one partially. I always wash my foundation brushes, but very often forget to wash the blush brush. Maybe that’s why I keep getting breakouts on my cheeks. Dirty brushes are a breeding ground for bacteria, so ideally they should be washed after every use. Use special brush cleanser or mild soap and only wash the bristles, then lay flat to dry on a towel or use one of those brush trees. Do not submerge your brushes in the water! It damages the ferrules and makes the bristles more prone to shedding. That’s also the culprit behind wobbly brush heads.
3. SKIPPING THE SUNSCREEN
Oh, you know me, I’m a sunscreen maniac, and even wrote a wall of text on why I’m so diligent about it. I think everybody needs to apply SPF every day if they want to keep their skin looking its best. Even if you spend all day indoors, you are still getting a dose of sun’s rays every time you pass by a window, and trust me, that exposure adds up over time. Opt in for moisturizers and body lotions with SPF, and your future self will thank you.
4. SLEEPING ON A DIRTY PILLOWCASE
Sleeping on a dirty pillow case is a bigger beauty crime than not washing off your makeup, because even if you remove it properly, your pillow case will ruin all your efforts by rubbing old oil, dust, and bacteria back into your skin. Regardless of how often you change the sheets, pillowcases should be washed at least once a week. If you do laundry more often than that, just throw it in with the same color clothes and watch those breakouts disappear.
5. HOLDING ON TO OLD MAKEUP
Guilty as charged! While I try to replace my mascaras every 3-4 months, I hold on to those old lipsticks, blushes, and powders like they are national treasure. Unfortunately, most creamy makeup turns into petri dishes after 2-3 years, and maybe it’s time for me to toss those 8 year old foundations. I bet I haven’t used them for about that long, anyway.
I can think of a dozen more bad beauty habits, but I feel like those huge lists always tend to get overwhelming. Try to break at least 2-3 of these and your skin will thank you!
The brushes! I’m guilty. Luckily I don’t bite my nails, that seems to be one of my pet peeves my husband loves to do though
OMGGGGGG I love this list. I am soooooo guilty of some of these. I told myself last year the pillowcase thing when I couldnt figure out why I was breaking out randomly. Come to find all my bedtime treatments (hair treatments, eetc) were the problem . Me and brush thing. eeekkkk.. I also wash my foundation brush daily, but the powder and blush brush… I slack. I love this list!! Great resolutions. xxo
I need beauty resolutions for this year! Thanks for the great list. I wash my pillowcases often because they make my eye allergies react if I don’t. My eyes are puffy enough!
I totally agree with Number 4… That’s something I need to work on improving this year for sure! I also want to get some silk pillowcases because I heard that helps prevent bedhead.
I have no bad beauty habits. I am a perfect, flawless angel of beautimousness… Bwahahahaha!
I agree with the pillowcases. I change mine twice a week. I don´t even why I started changing them more often, but now I do it.
When it comes to holding on to old makeup then I have to confess that I do have some lipsticks that are really old by now :S But since I haven´t used them much then it seems sort of stupid to just throw them out.
Just before NYE, I threw away old foundies to welcome new ones :-)) Great list!
I’m guilty of holding onto old makeup.
I totally hear you on holding on to old makeup! I recently tossed tons of stuff and had to tell myself I’ll never use ’em!
Girl… yes yes yes… I need to throw out my old makeup. There is some I just don’t want to get rid of, even if I don’t use it… I love the packaging or I have issues of release. lol
I am guilty of skipping the sunscreen when it’s not that sunny outside.
You know what also made a noticable difference in my breakouts? When I started texting more instead of talking on the phone all the time. Holding a dirty phone to your face for long periods of time is like asking for breakouts! With everything being a touch screen nowadays I think phones are even more likely to get grimey. Also, I think all of your suggestions are great!
i’m guilty of too many of these eeek
I’m guilty of holding on to old makeup. I need to stop that.