Routine

I’ve been writing about beauty since 2009, but arguably been a part of the beauty world since my early teens. Which makes it a long time. As soon as pocket money became a thing for me, so did beauty shopping. Going to Boots or Superdrug and spending my first Saturday job money on products is a core memory and Christmas lists with Juicy Tubes and Touché Eclat really did define my teenage years. Not to mention a pretty high level obsession with CK One (which I revisited on a recent duty free purchase).

Ultimately, not much has changed, a beauty purchase is always my go-to for a feel good moment (that or mac and cheese). But even as 40 creeps up on me, I still make many a beauty mistake. I am definitely not the vision of perfection seen so often online these days. So I decided to confess them so maybe someone else can avoid the errors I consistently make.

1. SPF

Yes, I absolutely wear it every day. It is very much non-negotiable. However, until recently I definitely was NOT applying enough so my factor 50 was probably about as protective as factor 5. But my biggest mistake? Not re-applying AND only doing so on my face. My hands? Unless it’s a heatwave SPF just doesn’t factor. Wearing sandals, ankles exposed? It’s highly likely they are SPF free. An oversight and one I plan to correct.

So what is the ‘right’ way? Apply around two finger-lines worth of SPF to face daily. Re-apply every two hours when out in the sun. And don’t neglect the non-face areas. Hands, feet, ankles, anywhere not covered by clothes could do with a layer of SPF. For re-application I would lean towards a face mist type product personally but that’s totally personal choice.

2. Not hydrating.

Sure, I moisturise, layer on the serums, the essences and the creams. But do I ALWAYS drink enough water? No, I do not. Somedays sure, I am a hydrated machine and surgically attached to my giant water bottle (not a Stanley FYI) Other days I am fuelled by coffee and Coke Zero. In fact as I write this The above drinks were delivered to my table… so let’s never say I am not honest (replace Coke Zero with Pepsi Max Cherry for the sake of this point).

Mission for 2024 to correct this? Hydrate from the inside as well as the outside. More water. Probably same amount of caffeine but yes, more water please.

3. Using expired products.

I know, I’ve seen all the expiry date stuff and things about the bacteria but at the same time I do often subscribe to the ‘as long as the texture or smell hasn’t changed’ rule in my beauty life. Sometimes if I love a product I don’t want to let it go if there’s still some left and it’s passed the ‘expiry’. I should also note I am the total opposite of this when it comes to any sort of food expiry date situation.

I am also a bit of a hoarder collector of beauty products and have an archive of old limited editions, classic discontinued products and the like that are well passed their expiry – however I don’t use these, so do consider it different. Earlier today I was just starting to apply some makeup and tried to think back to when I started using my current go-to mascara (Eyeko Limitless FYI – it’s fantastic) it’s been a while and it’s definitely started to dry up, so have cracked open the Merit Beauty Clean Mascara – will see how it compares. First impressions are it’s very soft.

4. Blunt razors.

Should shaving be your preference if you decide hair removal is for you, then you probably already know the difference between a blunt or a fresh blade. I am also aware of this, but do I change them as frequently as I should. No, I don’t. Should I? Yes.

Benefits of a fresh blade? Less irritation, closer shave result/longer lasting smooth feeling. Less chance of cuts. The lists go on. I’m just not always good at remembering until I’m already in the shower and by the time I’m there.. I just crack on with whatever I have available as time is usually of the essence!

5. Using viral products

Sure, if a product genuinely goes viral (doesn’t just decide it’s a great marketing campaign to tell everyone their product is viral) then there’s usually a decent reason for it. It might work like a charm, but that doesn’t always mean it works like a charm for me.

Now, I can’t stress how much of a marketers dream I am. You stick the word miracle in a product description and I am clamouring to throw my money at you. Tell me I will glow – take my kidney, I don’t need two. When I say I will fall for hype, I am telling the hand on heart truth. Same applies for telling me a product is limited edition or selling out. However there’s a tonne of products that I am sure are lovely but really doesn’t mean they’re lovely for me. For example the Gisou Hair Oil, I’m sure it’s wonderful for those Internet girls with hair to rival show ponies. But me with my fine hair plus postpartum regrowth? Let’s just day it’s not for me. Absolutely not question this being an ace product, but just having that little sense-check voice before I fall for the hype yet again will serve me and my bank account well going forward.

Other minor errors include:

– Believing this time I can definitely nail the application of winged eye liner. I can do this but only ever on one side, never both.

– Ever thinking I can do my own bikini wax (absolutely not, this will end in injury)

– Consistently messing up fake tan (I have no solutions for this, I’ve read all the advice and expert tips and still mess it up every time)

I’m sure the list could be added to endlessly, but that will do for now. Feel free to share any of your beauty mistakes with me to make me feel mildly less of a beauty failure!