Beauty Blunder Questions and Answers

Beauty blunders are a part of life. Every woman makes them from time to time. Some are simply unavoidable. Whatever the reason for a beauty mistake, almost everyone wants to know what to do to correct it. Below are some of the most common beauty blunder questions asked by my readers:

#1 - I dyed my hair. It turned out perfectly. However, after I shampooed the first time, my color was almost gone. Why?

You may have used a shampoo that is too strong. Medical grade and dandruff shampoos are often the culprit. They can strip away your hair color. That is particularly true if you shampoo too quickly after the dye job. Wait a minimum of 48 hours before using a medical grade shampoo on freshly dyed hair. Even then, choose a type that is made specifically for color-treated hair.

#2 - I used nail glue to apply my artificial nails. It was different than the nail brand I chose. Now, I can't get my artificial nails off. What do I do?

Generally, the brand of nail glue used doesn't matter. However, sometimes there can be a strange interaction between the nails and glue. Try soaking your nails in acetone nail polish remover for 5 to 10, but no longer than 15 minutes. Work the solution underneath the nails. Both nails and glue should soften sufficiently to allow nail removal even if they peel away in sections rather than in a single piece. If that doesn't work, however, you may have to use pure acetone, which is much harsher to skin and cuticles.

#3 - I tried a sunless tanning cream to give my winter skin a glow. The results were a disaster. Part of my skin turned dark and part came out the desired color but some of it didn't change color at all. I'm a blotchy mess. What do I do?

Self-tanning in the winter makes skin exfoliation more important than ever. It sounds like combination skin along with inappropriate exfoliation might have led to the problem. Massage mineral oil liberally into the skin and let it sit for at least 30 minutes.The oil will begin to eat away at the tanning lotion, making it easier to remove. Next, take a bath or shower using a good quality loofah sponge to work the remaining color out of the skin. Finally, use a skin exfoliate to remove any final traces of dead skin and color.

#4 - I over tweezed my eyebrows and now the hair doesn't want to grow back in. How do I fix them?

When eyebrow hair grows back in lighter or refuses to grow back in at all, you'll have to resort to artificial methods. It you can afford it, try permanent makeup. If you can't you may have to draw your own brows. Choose a brow color pencil close to your natural hair color. Sharpen it to a fine point. Apply short, precise strokes to imitate the look of hair. Follow the normal arch or your brow. Fill in any areas that might be sparse where the hair still grows.

#5 - I tried mineral makeup but ended up with a mild rash on my skin. Isn't mineral makeup pure?

Some are and some are not. Many of the so-called mineral makeup products on the market today contain as many additives and preservatives as its predecessors. Chances are you inadvertently picked up one of those brands and you are having an allergic reaction. Look for mineral cosmetics that are 100% pure. While it is still possible to have an allergy even to minerals, that is pretty rare.

Post any of your questions or beauty blunders in the comment section below and I'll attempt to provide answers in an upcoming piece.