Lessons Learned From Beauty Blogs

Reading beauty blogs encouraged me to start blogging.  Beauty blogs can be a useful source of information about new products and techniques, a form of escapism and amusement.

Here, in no particular order, are some of the good things I've learnt from beauty blogs:

• It's really important to take good care of your skin.  

• Wash your face in the morning to remove any leftover skincare and general grub.  Double cleanse at night.  The first cleanse removes makeup and sebum.  The second deep cleans.  

• Notice how your skin reacts to ingredients so you can avoid products with them in.  Alcohol can dry skin.  Silicone and mineral oil can blog pores and cause spots.  Be careful about introducing new products into your routine.  I usually do one at a time.  That way, if I react to something, I can quickly work out what it is.

• Exfoliating helps aid skin turnover, reduce sun damage, clear pores and soften skin.  Some people like scrubs and others like liquids.  Choose something that's not too harsh that won't upset your skin.  

• You need a serum that's packed with good stuff to care for your skin.  Applying it after cleansing and toning allows it to penetrate.  Following up with moisturiser locks it in so it works properly.  Serums don't have to be expensive to be good.  Superdrug Simply Pure Hydrating Serum costs £2.69 and leaves skin smooth and glowing.  

• Calling it a skincare routine or regime sounds dull and boring.  A ritual sounds more fun and like you're doing something nice for yourself  Which you are.  In the evenings, I double cleanse, tone, serum and night cream.  In the mornings, cleanse, tone, serum and day-cream / SPF.  

• Wear sunscreen.  Everyday.  Limit your exposure to the sun.  It's the main cause of ageing and causes rough texture, discolouration, wrinkles and dullness. 

• Don't be afraid to try something new.  A new brand, routine or shade.  But sometimes, if it isn't broke, don't try and fix it.  

• Choose the right products for your skin. That'll help your skin look it's best.  The right products might not be the ones that the beauty bloggers are pushing.  Don't believe the hype.  Test it first to see if it'll suit you.  Then check your bank balance.

• You don't need much makeup to look amazing.  

• There's always someone else with the same skin concern or problem.  

• Everyone knows it's important to wash makeup brushes regularly.  And still we all forget.  But cleaning your brushes avoids transferring bacteria from the bristles to your face.  Nice!  

• Everyone went through the stage of wearing too much of a particular product.  (Mine was blusher.  Opps!  Aunt Sally face!)

• You'll always be looking for the next "holy grail" product.  (I hate that term to be honest).  But, there is no such thing as a "must have" product.  If you can afford it, think you'll use it, then buy it.  But if you can't, then don't.  

• There is a shade of red lipstick for everyone.  You just to have to find it.  Or give up and stick with what you like. 

• Drink more water, get more sleep, eat more fruit and vegetables and exercise more.  I so know this.  And still I don't do enough of it.

• Liking beauty products and wanting to look your best does not mean you're vain, self-absorbed, have low esteem or are a bit thick.  Blogging about beauty products doesn't make you a unethical, marketing shrill.  

• Read widely.  Don't just read about new product launches or how to apply products.  Read about the ingredients and the science bit.  Knowledge is power.  It stops us being conned by clever marketing.  It teaches us how to care for our skin better.  It helps us identify products that will, won't and could work for us.  

What things have you learned from reading beauty blogs?  Or from blogs in general?  Let me know in the comments.

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Quick public service announcement:  As next week is a bank holiday, there will be less posts than usual as I'm having some me time that's not spent blogging!  w00t!