What if we told you that the beauty care routine you are following every day for glowing and gorgeous looking skin is totally wrong? Apparently, there are many who are not aware that they are making some very common mistakes every single time they pick up a makeup brush. Here, with the help of Kamala Shrestha, senior beauty expert at Siam Beauty Salon in Kupondole, The Week has highlighted some common mistakes that sometimes may also lead to serious skin problems. Read on to find out if you too are making these beauty blunders.

Mistake #1: Imitating others
Correction: This is the story of men and women from almost every household. They often spend a lot on random products only because they seem to be working well on their friend’s skin or because their favorite actor endorses the product. Sometimes these products end up causing irritated skin, breakouts, and many other such issues. The fact here is that different skin types require different methods and appropriate skincare products. The first and foremost thing to do before following any skincare routine or putting on any makeup is to understand your skin type. And then you must find out how to best care for it and also which products are suitable for you. According to Shrestha, you must never imitate others where your skin is concerned. Find products that suit your skin instead of randomly using what seems to be working on others.  

Mistake #2: Use of beauty bars
Correction: Soaps are one of the most common items that we use for cleaning our skin. But have you ever noticed white lines on your skin when you scratch it after you shower? And how about the dry scalp and frizzy hair when you used soap instead of shampoo? These are caused by caustic soda present in the soap. The soda washes off the natural oil produced by the oil glands on the skin and scalp. Soap lacks the conditioning elements that moisturize our skin and hair. Many beauty bars claim to tackle excessive oiliness but, as they keep drying out the skin, at times it may even end up signaling your skin to produce more oil. Shrestha suggests you avoid using soaps as much as possible. 
 

Mistake #3: Not using adequate amount of products
Correction: Often people minimize the use of products to make it last. Likewise, there are also people who are so desperate to get quick results that they tend to finish a big tube of cream in just a week. Both these habits are completely wrong and won’t give you the desired results. You can’t use less products and hope for a good result and you can’t slather on too much and expect to glow either. So to reap the maximum benefit of any product, get the amount you should be using right.

Mistake #4: Careless about the make-up sequence and methods
Correction: Simply washing your face and moisturizing it with a regular lotion might be enough for a selected few, but not everyone has the luxury to stick to this minimalistic ritual and still get glowing skin. For those of you who need to do more than cleansing and moisturizing, you have to make sure you get the order right. You have to first put on a base of moisturizer before using anything else. You can apply sunscreen on top of the moisturizer layer. 

Also, keep in mind not to let your skin be for more than a minute after cleansing. Next, make sure that the foundation you are using matches your skin tone. Highlighters are not supposed to be used anywhere on the face. You must only apply it on areas where light falls. While adding volume to your lips, learn when to stop. For the perfect lashes, apply it uniformly over the lower lash line. For a natural amazing face structure, contour your face with a fluffy angled soft brush.

While conditioning your hair, keep a distance of four fingers from the scalp and massage it towards the ends only. If you are a newbie in the world of makeup, consider consulting an expert. 

Mistake #5: Sharing products
Correction: When it comes to your beauty stash, sometimes being selfish is the best thing you can do because not all beauty products are meant to be shared. There may be no problem in sharing the same bottle of lotion if it comes with a pump but when it comes to products like lip gloss, cream in jars, sponges, brushes, and razors, it is better to restrict its use to a single individual. Dipping various fingers in the jar time and again, swiping the same lip gloss by many people, using unwashed wet sponges and makeup brushes and shaving with the same razors can transmit different types of harmful viruses, bugs, and bacteria. 

Mistake #6: Excessive washing
Correction: At times, too much of a good thing becomes a bad thing. The same goes for washing your face and hair as well. We are definitely not telling you to stay dirty and we also understand that you might be tempted to wash your face many times because of all the pollution. But try to curb that tendency and stick to a limit. You can also wash your face with just plain clear water in the morning and only use a face wash in the evening. This is more than enough cleansing that you skin needs. As far as hair wash is concerned, using a mild shampoo thrice a week is more than enough for most. Also, don’t use extremely hot water to wash your skin or hair. 

 
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