More Beauty Blunders and Fixes

We have all seen them and most of us have committed them from time to time. They are called "beauty blunders" and they extend from the top of the head to the tip of the toes. There are a lot of reasons behind these blunders. Some are caused by trends that simply aren't suitable for everyone. Others happen because people try to be something they are not. A few are even out of an individual's control.

Let me take you through some of the most common beauty blunders. I also invite your questions and suggestions for future inclusions. Just leave them below in the comment section. Let's get started with a few questions I have responded to a lot over the years.

#1 - I tried to dye my dark hair blonde and it came out orange instead.

It is extremely difficult to take dark hair to blonde in color. The hair goes through a series of red shades in the process. Drastic changes in hair color, whether it is a natural blonde choosing to go brunette, or vice versa, should not be tried with home color treatments. That type of coloring should be limited to covering gray or taking hair one or two shades lighter or darker. Anything beyond that - including highlights - should be performed by a professional colorist. Otherwise, a very real risk exists that the hair could be severely damaged along with the possibility of unsatisfactory color results.

#2 - I have brown spots where I don't want them on my face.

Nancy, this one is for you. Thanks for asking the question.

Age spots are a fact of life for both men and women. There are a lot of products on the market today that can help fade age spots. Almost every skin care line has one. While most of them work, it is to varying degrees. That's why I recommend a more natural solution - buttermilk. Cleopatra knew what she was doing when she took all those milk baths. Milk is actually great for the skin. Add a little butter to it and it is also great for fading those age spots. But if buttermilk alone doesn't do the trick, try adding a drop of two of essential lemon oil into the mixture. Together, the two work absolute miracles. For problem age spots, use lemon diluted slightly with water. It may work a bit faster but can be irritating to some types of skin so proceed with caution.

#3 - My foundation looks like I painted on a mask.

Skin textures and tones are different from person to person. For that reason, a truly great foundation for one person might cause embarrassing results for another. Anyone looking for optimal results should get a beauty makeover at a specialty store like Ulta or Sephora. Even some of today's upscale department stores with large cosmetic departments will provide them. The stores employ beauty experts who are trained to find the right type and color of foundation and other makeup. They ask questions about the "type" of finish desired and current skin issues in order to choose the perfect foundation for each customer.

#4 - My lipstick ends up on my teeth.

To make sure your lipstick won't transfer to your teeth, I recommend what I call the Betty Boop test. Once your lipstick is in place, curl your lips like you are going to blow a kiss. Then insert a forefinger in the center, pulling it out of the mouth slowly. If lipstick doesn't come off on your finger, then probably won't show up on your teeth either. If the lipstick is in danger of coming off, it will do so on the finger and not on the teeth.

#5 - My perfume is too strong but I feel naked when I don't wear it.

Anyone who has seen the movie "Broadcast News," with Holly Hunter, knows exactly how to apply perfume. In the movie, Hunter sprays the perfume in the air in front of her and then walks through the mist as it begins to settle. Heavy colognes and perfumes can often be too strong if they are applied directly to the skin. The walk-through technique assures a hint of fragrance that will be pleasant without giving everyone else in the room a headache.

Keep checking back for more beauty blunders and don't hesitate to ask questions or recommend topics for future articles.