5 common beauty mistakes you had no idea you were making

Date July 8, 2015

With new methods for makeup application being introduced almost daily, it can be hard to decipher what’s worth trying and what is a total waste of time. And with this quick proliferation of trends, there’s always that age old question: is the way mom taught us to apply makeup really the best way? From which order we use concealer and foundation in to how we apply fragrance, the most common way of executing these beauty staples is also often a beauty blunder. Who knew that conditioner works better before shampoo? Not us.

So, to ease the confusion (and possible embarrassment) we’ve compiled the top 5 beauty mistakes that everyone is making—and what you can do to fix them.

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common beauty mistakes

#1: Using shampoo before conditioner

Using conditioner first will add nourishment to the hair without weighing it down, which is especially useful for fine hair. But it’s also great for other hair types as well, since it promotes a longer lasting blow dry and primes the hair before cleansing, so the shampoo distributes evenly. The Kérastase Résistance Thérapiste collection are formulated especially for this method, and focus on renewing damaged strands.

Kérastase Résistance Bain Thérapiste Shampoo ($40, kerastase-usa.com)

Kérastase Résistance Son Premier Thérapiste Conditioner ($42, kerastase-usa.com )

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common beauty mistakes

#2: Applying foundation after concealer

The best method for even coverage is applying foundation first, then assessing what areas need further attention. This prevents makeup from caking from over application. Plus, using a concealer a few shades lighter than your skin tone in this method is perfect for covering under eye circles, and subtly highlighting the high points of the face.

Nars Radient Creamy Concealer ($29, sephora.com)

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common beauty mistakes

#3: Using a dry beauty blender

This trendy method of makeup application can actually be detrimental to your foundation’s coverage if one essential step is missed: wetting the sponge. A dry makeup sponge will absorb too much product, and leave streaks across the face. A damp makeup sponge will leave the product on the face, and create a soft, dewy finish.

The original beautyblender ($20, sephora.com)

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common beauty mistakes

#4: Using way too much moisturizer

Although many people with dry skin and hair can be tempted to overload on moisturizing product, studies have shown that overusing product can actually provide the opposite results. Using an excess amount of moisturizer can lead to clogged pores, breakouts and dull skin. The extra product doesn’t get absorbed, and just sits on the skin, suffocating it. Charlotte’s Magic Cream by Charlotte Tilbury is a perfect choice for moisturizer, since a tiny amount of the product will moisturize the entire face.

Charlotte’s Magic Cream ($125, holtrenfrew.com)

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common beauty mistakes

#5: Spraying perfume after you get dressed

The alcohol in fragrances can stain clothing, and some fabric fibres interact with perfume to create an unpleasant scent. According to Terry Molnar, executive director of the Sense of Smell Institute, in New York City, “fragrance is formulated to be applied to the skin, where it interacts with the heat of the body.” The best strategy is to apply the fragrance to pulse points, such as the wrists, neck, and behind the earlobes.

I am Juicy Couture, 1.7 oz Eau du Parfum ($119, juicycouture.com)