The Unforgivable Beauty Sins!

So, I'm all about trying new and exciting things in the world of beauty to help me look and feel my best.   However, there are a few beauty no-no's that I will NEVER try or subscribe to...

1. Tanning:  Come on, girls.  Its 2013.  We know all about the dangers of indoor and outdoor tanning.  A tan (from the sun or from the bed) is your skins way of letting you know its been burnt.  Literally.  UVA and UVB exposure alters our DNA, damages our skin, causes wrinkles and causes cancer.  As a pale skinned, blue eyed, fair haired girl, I know that I am at the highest risk for developing skin cancer but that doesn't mean you should throw caution to the wind if you have darker skin.  I know too many girls my age and younger who have faced skin cancer issues due to destructive tanning habits.  And honestly, tan skin may make you look youthful but that's only for a short period of time.  Consistent tanning WILL age you prematurely and it doesn't take years for the damage to show.  A college acquaintance who shall remain nameless tanned obsessively...she tanned four or five times a week and finally thought she'd save money and bought a tanning bed for her apartment.  She was mistaken for my mom in a photograph...I'm older than she is.  Melanoma is the most common form of cancer for young adults 25-29 years old and the second most common form of cancer for young people 15-29 years old.  Stop doing it...its that simple.  Sunless tanning products have improved and the variety of bronzers out on the market is unbelievable.  Give those a try!

2.  Curl Wars:  Trust me, I understand the curly hair battle.  I fought mine for years.  But I'm going to be brutally honest with you straightening iron freaks...your hair doesn't look very pretty.  In fact, it looks like a broom.  Those aren't easy words to say, so please don't think I'm being snarky, vicious or nasty.  I wish someone had told me "Hey, Ash, when you straighten your curls, your hair looks like straw!".   I paid stylists actual money to make my hair look like a broom.  That fact baffles me today, even when my hair is crazy, frizzy or just grumpy.  Love your curls!  Take the time to take care of them.  Save up and splurge on a great cut and style (go see Larry Bragg, curly girls!).  Check out message boards (Naturallycurly.com) for inexpensive product suggestions to help make your hair look gorgeous.  

3.  Lip Service:  A visible lip liner terrifies me.  Unless its Halloween, your lip liner should ALWAYS match and be blended with your lip stick or gloss.  

4.  The Mask:  Foundation should help create a smooth, flawless canvas, not look like its been applied with a spackling tool.  If finding the right shade is daunting, don't be afraid to stop at a makeup counter at Macys or go to Sephora or Ulta for assistance.  If you have problem skin, there are some great full coverage foundations that won't give that caked on mask appearance.  And don't forget your jaw line...your face and neck should match.  Start with a small amount of foundation and blend, blend, blend.  

5.  Nailed:  My final beauty sin is chipped nail polish.  Now, I know I am OCD about my nails...I'm the girl who will bite off my polish if one nail has chipped.  But aside from a rushed morning or not realizing your polish has flaked off until you've gotten to work, there's no excuse for it.  If you've got a busy week or don't have time, leave them bare.  Or, try the at home "gel" polish mani described here.  


BIG news coming tomorrow!  I'm taking a plunge that already has me shaking in my shoes.  Its something I've never even tried before.  Here is a hint...its going to last 40 days!