Oh, if only we could somehow just jump into a time machine, find our younger selves then whisper these hard-learned pieces of advice in our ear. Wouldn’t that be something? For a lot of us, information wasn’t as nearly as readily available as it is now – you couldn’t just jump on YouTube to watch a tutorial or find a reddit post about that burning question you have. Beauty blogs were not nearly as popular as they are now and reliable information was sometimes hard to come by. For most of us, if we could go back, there’s definitely some things we would have done differently that’s for sure.
The following is a list compiled along the way of some beauty lessons that were learnt the hard way, the old-fashioned way – through good old-fashioned trial and error. Some are permanent, some not so much. Others are never too late to start implementing…!
- Put down the tweezers.
For lots of us our poor poor eyebrows never recovered from the late 90’s early aughties trend of barely there pencil-thin eyebrows. Who doesn’t cringe inside every time they see photos of their barely there sad-excuse-for-eyebrows that we had plucked into oblivion? Sometimes, no matter how much caster-oil or lash growth serum we apply…they just don’t grow back.
- Don’t sleep with your make-up on.
This one is a no brainer but must be said. We are all guilty of breaking this cardinal rule at some point in our lives but we are not in our twenties anymore. We are grown-ups and grown-ups take their make-up off before bedtime. Our skin regenerates itself at night and therefore needs to breathe plus it’s the best time for your skincare to work its magic.
During the festive season it is all too easy to return home after a night on the town and be tempted to launch straight for the pillow. For those nights its ok to cheat slightly with a naughty make-up wipe or some micellar water and a quick slather of moisturiser. Ok, it’s not your multi-step skincare routine but it’s better than nothing and your skin will thank you later. Tip: leave your fav serum and a packet of wipes in your beside drawer for those times when you are already in bed and just cannot bear the thought of getting up again.
- Smoking damages your skin.
Just….no. Not cool people. The damage it will do to your skin is unforgivable.
- That tattoo does not look as good as you think it does.
What was considered “cool” ten years ago does not translate to cool now. In fact, the cooler it was for the time, the more dated it probably looks now. Aside from the fact that it has aged terribly it also just doesn’t feel like “you” anymore…..thank God for tattoo removal machines. We should have heeded our mum’s advice on this one.
- Do not sunbake. Like EVER
Who remembers their 16-year old self slathering herself with what might as well have been baby oil (or Reef tanning oil with an SPF of 4. Yes that’s 4, without the zero). If only we could give ourselves a good shake and say “it’s just not worth it!”
Getting or having a tan was definitely considered “healthy-looking” or even desirable 15 or 20 years ago and tanning beds were an actual thing. Back when double digit SPF protection meant 15+ tops and that was considered maximum protection back then. We certainly didn’t know what we know now, which is that any and we mean ANY, prolonged periods in the sun unprotected is harmful. Even when its 14 degrees and overcast, the sun’s rays are still harmful, especially here in Australia where they are extra harsh.
Aside from the more obvious health risks to un-protected sun exposure, 80% of visible ageing is linked directly to UV exposure or sun-damage and the collagen in our skin starts to break down long before we start to turn pink or get a sunburn. Those unwanted pigmentation and fine-lines we ended up with? Sadly, most likely preventable.
Moral of the story: SPF is crucial for the long-term health of your skin, it is never too late and make sure its 30+ or even 50+ (that’s with a zero, ahem.)
- Be gentle with your skin (and don’t pick!)
This one’s an easy one and we have all been there at some time or another whether we like to admit it or not. Getting over-zealous with active ingredients and using products that are too harsh or strong for one’s skin can end up causing more problems than we started out with. Exfoliation is great – over exfoliation is not. Some of us learnt this one the hard way and our poor skin barrier paid the price. Often it takes ages to then get our skin back to where it was before we tried to burn our faces with a chemical peel left on too long.
Test patch new ingredients first (especially active ones that include acids for example) and don’t overload your skin with too many new products all at once.
Also, picking pimples is just a no. That brief moment of satisfaction when you successfully squeeze a pimple is just not worth that scar or mark that it will undoubtedly leave behind.
- Start laser hair removal now. Pronto.
This one is an investment but also a no-brainer and again, never too late to start. If you consider all the time, money and hassle combined over the years with all the painful waxing appointments, bleaching, plucking or nairing not to mention razers and all other shaving accoutrements…well you get the idea.
Also, laser hair removal machines have come a long way in the last 10 years and treatments are now quicker, cheaper and more effective than ever before. The sooner you book and complete your sessions, the quicker you are on your way to being smooth and hair-free. Permanently.
- Invest in a good skincare routine (and stick to it).
See a professional (i.e., an aesthetician, dermal therapist or dermatologist) and get a proper skin analysis to work out your skin type and/or condition you wish to treat, plus the best skincare products for your particular skin needs.
- Embrace and work with the hair you have.
There is no point wishing you had pin-straight blonde hair, when in reality you have dark brown curls. Straighteners and other hot tools will wreak havoc on your hair. Likewise dying your hair incessantly will cause it to thin and fall out. And don’t even get me started on bleach….
Look after your curls (if you are lucky enough to have them!) and simply love and embrace the hair you HAVE i.e., put down the straighter, the bleach (damage will take years to undo)
- And finally….learn to LOVE yourself and embrace your body exactly as it is!
I wish, most of all that I could have told my younger self this: oftentimes the things you are self-conscious about now are the things you will end up loving and embracing about yourself when you are older. Confidence is key. Learn to work with what you have and accept that there are certain unique things that are yours – and yours alone. This is some wisdom that simply only comes with the benefit of time.
If only we could turn back the clock….now well-equipped and armed with the beauty knowledge learnt along the way. Unfortunately, we cannot rewrite the past, however we can certainly pass on and share these beauty nuggets with the next generation. So here’s to wiser choices, healthier skin and a future filled with beauty and self-love!
This article was brought to you in partnership with beauty wholesaler and salon suppliers, The Global Beauty Group. To learn more about the technologies or to find a treatment specialist in your local visit their website or call 1300 006 607.
