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Are you doing it wrong?

23 February, 2014 - 08:12pm by - First Lady | 30 Comments

Article by BR Fiona

Do you use hair oil, Moisturiser or even bobby pins? Then there is a chance you are using them wrong.  It's ok if you are, because we can almost guarantee that we're all doing at least one of these things wrong!  So here are the top 5 beauty products and how we are using them wrong!


Bobby Pins
They float around in your hand bag, in the bottom of drawers and are possibly one of the most underrated products in the beauty toolbox but bobby pins can save a bad hair day and keep those fly away bits under control, but are you using them wrong? 

Yes there's not much to it, slide pin into hair, done but it's not quite that easy.  Did you know that wiggly, wavy side is meant to go in face down? Until recently we didn't either but it makes sense when you think about it, the wavy part is meant to grip the hair DOH!  So if you've been doing it the wrong way, flip the pin and you'll notice a WORLD of difference, we did!

Oh and for a handy hint for those big, fancy up dos that require A LOT of hold try spraying your pins with hairspray to make them stickier and grippy!

Foundation
Now most of us know that applying a moisturiser before we put on our foundation is a good thing!  It helps keep skin hydrated, can help keep shine at bay, and provide a good base for our foundation but do you actually wait for your moisturiser to dry? 

If you apply your foundation before your moisturiser has a chance to soak into the skin then you can thin out your foundation and blotchiness and uneven coverage can occur.  Next time wait at least 60 seconds, or blot your skin after you've applied your moisturiser and before you apply your foundation.

Hair Oil
Now that we've had the battle of the hair oils it might be a good idea to assess just how you apply it.  It's great that you've decided to use oil and give your hair some added moisture and shine but are you actually doing it more damage by using oil?  If you're applying it to wet hair and then heat styling right away then there's a chance you are. 

Think about the fry pan, unless it's non-stick, you use oil to help conduct heat to cook your food and to stop it sticking to the pan…..oh wait did we just say use oil to help CONDUCT heat? That can't be good.  In fact it's not; it can make your hair even drier but don't go throwing away your hair oil! 

Instead of frying your hair simply apply hair oil to partly wet hair, let it air dry and once it's dry THEN use a heat styling tool……but only if needed.


Hair Dryer
While it might seem like a simple enough process, have wet hair - dry it!  There is a cacophony of things that can go wrong! 

First of all just because you're holding the dryer close to your hair doesn't mean it's going to dry any quicker, in fact the only thing you're going to be doing is scorching your hair and creating more frizz!  Try holding the heat about 3 centimetres away from your hair and it will dry JUST as quick but without so much heat damage. 

The other thing you may be doing wrong with your hair dryer is flipping your head over to dry your hair.  Yes, it adds more volume at the roots, YES, it is sometimes just easier and quicker but according to Nina Aprile, a stylist at a top New York blow-dry bar it's just going to suck the moisture out of your hair.

Sunscreen
It has to be the NUMBER ONE beauty product, not only does this product help reduce the effects of the sun it can also save your life but are you applying it wrong?  It's not merely a case of apply sunscreen and venture out into the world.  Most people don't apply enough sunscreen, to know if you're doing it right it should create a 'film' on the skin when applied. 

Once you've applied your sunscreen let it settle and soak into your skin for around 20 minutes before you go out into the sun, optimising its protective abilities.  Make sure you reapply after 2 hours as well, it's not a just 'spray and walk away' product! 

Lastly, apply your sunscreen last.  Many foundations and moisturisers are water-based and this can break down the sunscreen, so if you make sure you apply it last then it'll last a lot longer.

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Comments

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8th April, 2015

I had heard that Bobby pin tip recently so I bonuses those the right way. I had never though about hair oil tho! I usually always apply while my hair is damp then blow dry straight away so that's a habit I will need to stop!! I'm also really slack with using sunscreen and I know I should use it more and be more careful!

20th March, 2015

Bobby pins -who would have known ??

20th March, 2015

Haha - awesome. The bobby pin thing I did not know :) Don't really use them much now though as my hairstyle doesn't really need them.

The foundation issue I knew about as I have done it before :) The good thing about BB cream is that it normally has a moisturizer in it and I find you don't have to wait as long to apply your foundation.

I don't use hair oil but good to know for the future.

I am guilty of frying my hair a little with a hairdryer - BUT I do dry my hair from underneath, I don't flip my hair over but I use my hands and dry it side-to-side (if that makes sense) - as my hair is fine my hairdresser advised me to dry it that way for, yes, more body and it works!!

17th January, 2015

Good read keep it coming. I still loathe Bobby pins to me they're annoying yet functional.

9th November, 2014

I have been using bobby pins forever and I just found about this now. It really made a difference! No wonder it wasn't holding my hair together! Thanks BR!

25th August, 2014

What! I've always put on my sunscreen first! That seems so weird putting it over all the other stuff but I guess it does make sense.

29th July, 2014

I recently found out about the bobby pin upside down thing.. mind = blown! I'm also guilty of applying foundation before letting my moisteuriser soak in and I'm also an upside-down hair dryer! Thanks for the informative article :)

15th March, 2014

That's so funny about bobby pins. I had no idea

5th March, 2014

Who knew! Ive been doing 4 out of 5 things wrong lol

3rd March, 2014

Glad I'm doing most of it right! Except for the hairdryer - need to work on that.

2nd March, 2014

Interesting about the bobby pin. I always clip mine into my hair with the wavy part upwards, so will have to try it the other way around now. I have heard of hair spraying your clips beforehand too

1st March, 2014

I always take a few minutes to let my moisturizer sink in, I used to just apply and then go for it but found that my foundation didnt set well. Same goes with primer, I make sure my skin has a few minutes to soak that in as well before I begin with my make up

27th February, 2014

I learnt about moisturiser and foundation the hard way (and primer), also I don't use bobby pins but the hairstylist who did my hair on my wedding day showed me why the waves sit against your head and I thought well that makes sense. And I am so naughty with my sunscreen... oops!! so many things I didn't realise with applying it correctly, foundation, frequency... thanks again BR xx

27th February, 2014

I think that I actually knew all of these somehow - although the bobby pin one I only recently found out about, I have to admit. And although I try and follow all these rules, I fail pretty often at remembering to put on sunscreen that long before going outside...

26th February, 2014

The sizzling sound my hair made when I used to wash, oil, straighten ( while still wet) was a bit unnerving so I always 'do it the 'right way' now.

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