When Beauty Tools Become Traitors

We all use beauty tools in one way or another. The most obvious ones are beauty products, including everything in your hair care routine and your skin care regimen. But there are plenty of less obvious beauty tools hidden in our daily lives as well; your hair brush, your curling iron, the wash cloth you use to wash your face every day… even your toothbrush that allows you to keep that Hollywood smile. But what happens when these “tools” designed to help us take care of ourselves actually turn out to be enemies? That happens more often than we would think.

This all started with a water bottle. I am a little bit of a water bottle freak. I love bottles that you can refill and carry throughout your day, because that’s what motivates me to drink enough water, and I’m always thirsty anyway. People around me tease me for it, but I think there’s a water bottle designed for every occasion; a big one to keep in your fridge, a slim one to carry in your bag, one with a good grip to take to the gym, one with a straw for when you’re wearing lipstick… You get what I mean. And they come in such cute designs as well! The one that I used to keep in my fridge was teal with water drop patterns. I like to keep a full bottle in the fridge, because I like very cold water. One day, I started to notice that the water didn’t taste so good, and made me feel kind of sick. I also noticed that the water straight from the tap wouldn’t have that effect, and that it would continue even after washing the bottle many times. Only days later did I notice, while washing the bottle for the hundredth time, that there was residue left under the seal, which was impossible to see unless you removed the whole seal – and pretty much broke your bottle. While I thought I was being healthy by drinking the recommended amount of water, I was actually getting sick. What was supposed to give me great-looking skin and energy was in truth harmful to my body. This whole experience got me thinking; how many things am I doing that, without me knowing, are causing me harm? How many objects am I relying on daily that are actually traitors? I did some research, questioned every habit, and found a couple things that we should probably all be mindful of.

Lotions
I rely on lotion to keep my skin hydrated and happy, especially during the cold season. Right after I get out of the shower, I slather myself in body butter, and always apply hand cream before going to bed. Throughout the day, I carry a travel size of my favorite lotion, because I hate having dry hands (or dry anything, really). What I didn’t realize is that using different lotions can actually cause your skin to become even drier. The different formulas, scents and ingredients can make your skin react, causing irritation, dry patches, or even mild allergic reactions. In other words, when you think you’re moisturizing, you might actually be drying up. My advice is to use one lotion at a time, and buying mini sizes if you want to carry that lotion with you. Another option would be to limit the number of lotions to two; one for the day and one for the night, like you would do for face moisturizers. That way, you have less chances of irritating your skin or developing an allergic reaction, but you still get to play around with new lotions.

Pillows
I while ago, I started breaking out like crazy. I had tons of tiny pimples on my chin and the sides of my face, and I couldn’t figure out why. I tried to change face wash, I made sure to eat really clean, I changed my setting powder and concealer… I tried everything, yet the pimples wouldn’t go away. After a while, my mom pointed out that I had recently bought a new pillow...
Yes, I was allergic to my new pillow. My pillow, which was supposed to help me get all the beauty sleep necessary, was breaking me out. As soon as I switched pillows, the pimples cleared and I could now sleep soundly. Pillow cases are also something to keep in check; you want to wash them very often, especially if you sometimes give in to the temptation of going to bed with your makeup on. After all, you’re spending hours on end with your face smashed into your pillow, so might as well make sure it won’t upset your skin.

Makeup brushes and sponges
Makeup brushes and sponges are something we don’t pay much attention to. You use them in the morning, put them back in your brush holder and forget about them until the next day. However, when you come to think of it, it’s ironic that we simply put aside something that goes straight onto our skin, and that’s supposed to help us look flawless. We take that precious object and, after using it, we quickly shove it back into a drawer.
It is recommended to wash your makeup brushes and sponges at least once a week, using a mild soap – preferably one that is designed for makeup brushes, that will dissolve all traces of makeup and leave the bristles feeling extra soft. Try storing your brushes in a brush roll or in a drawer, and your sponges in a container; that way, they are protected and won’t get dusty or dirty. Brush holders look really cute, but they expose your brushes to the dust that’s floating around, especially the ones that you don’t use often. Dirty makeup tools that you run all over your face can cause a massive breakout, which is quite counterproductive. We should periodically wash all of our brushes, but it’s especially important to keep a close eye on foundation, concealer, and blush brushes.

Hair Brush
Picking out a hair brush at the store is a true dilemma. In front of a whole wall covered in brushes that all claim to do different things, it can be very hard (and very stressful) to pick the right one. Indeed, not all hair brushes are equal and using one that isn’t designed for your hair type or for this specific use can do more harm than good. As a general rule, round brushes create curls and are great to style bangs. Paddle brushes (the ones that have a wide and flat back that is slightly cushioned under the bristles) are amazing for thick and long hair, because the bristles are further apart, which allows them to penetrate thicker strands. Brushes with sparser bristles are also great for curly hair. Vented brushes (the ones with holes at the back, under the bristles) are intended for adding volume while blow drying. Speaking of which, not all hair brushes can be used on wet hair. When wet, your strands are a lot more fragile, and using certain brushes on them will cause some breakage. To detangle wet hair, reach for a detangling brush or use a wide tooth comb. Lastly, to smooth out flyaways or frizz, use a boar-bristle brush on dry hair. Since all of these rules can get pretty confusing, I think the main thing to remember is that not all hair brushes are created equal. If you notice that your hair is looking kind of weird after being brushed, don’t hesitate to try a new hair brush. Your current one might just be the problem…

Nail Polish
I’ll be the first one to admit that I wear nail polish too often. I have a weekly ritual of doing my nails and I take great pleasure in choosing a new color and making my hands look nice. However, your nails need a break from time to time. As far as nail polish goes, the product itself isn’t actually bad for the nails. However, leaving your nail polish on for too long – or worse, chipping it with your fingers – can damage your nails and make them peel. In addition, dark polish can stain your nails, leaving them with a yellow tint, especially if it is on for too long. It is recommended to remove old polish about a week after the application. But be careful! The frequent use of nail polish remover can be very dehydrating for the nails, making them dry, bumpy and fragile. To avoid that, use a nail polish remover that is acetone free. To keep your nails generally happy and still be able to rock your favorite nail polish, use a base coat that is nourishing and that will protect your nails. Even though a fresh manicure makes you feel amazing and gives you the impression that you’re taking really good care of your nails, it could actually be making them weaker if not done properly.

I think it’s important to be mindful of what products we use and how we use them. For me, the pillow episode was a lesson that taught me that just because something is meant to be good for you, it doesn’t mean that it will be in every situation. Sometimes, your pillow – your best friend! – stabs you in the back and makes you break out.
 
Have you ever been betrayed by one of your beauty tools? Let me know down below!

Until next time,

Much love,
-TM-