Think beauty editors can’t make mistakes? Here are some beauty faux pas that our editors have made

As beauty writers, we naturally fall into the category of ‘beauty-devotees’, but to the everyday beauty-lover, we’re sure you’re wondering what that next level brings with it? Well, not only do we have a wealth of knowledge (it’s our job after all), insider access to all things new and a well-stocked beauty cupboard, but we’ve also got 20-20 hindsight on all our beauty mistakes.

No, not even beauty editors are immune to making epic beauty blunders. But thanks to our ever-growing info sources (TY TikTok), we’ve managed to course correct and come out armed with the equivalent of a cosmetic tote bag full of knowledge on things to avoid in the future.

So, to make you feel a little better, and to show you the only way out is through, BEAUTYcrew editors are sharing their past beauty mistakes…

Beauty Editor Mistakes:

1/ Solely self-tanning legs

If, like us, you want to be tanned year-round, the way to achieve that faux glow is with a little help from a can of tan. But sometimes the admin of getting covered head to toe in the stuff can be arduous. BEAUTYcrew's Editor, Delaney Loane shares her tanning missteps of days gone by.

“Some self-tanners can get away with only applying over certain areas, but I assure you, I am not one of them. Considering my natural skin tone is akin to a piece of white paper, I tend to lean hard on tans in cans. However, when my friends would ‘just throw some tan onto their legs’, I originally followed suit. In news that may shock, that didn’t exactly look natural considering my stomach, arms and every other inch of skin remained extremely pale. I looked like a piece of candy corn, with a stark line between the orange and white sections. Nowadays I know to take the tan from head to toe - it’s still not flawless, but at least the faux shade is applied all over.”

2/ Not focusing on my skin care

“If I’m honest, before becoming a beauty writer, I just wasn’t that consistent with my skin care routine. Sure, I still had all the gear, just no real idea. Not to mention, I often opted for cheap or trending products rather than really investing in a routine to suit my skin,” says BEAUTYcrew's Content Producer, Emma Allcock

“My main criminal offence – aside from a general lack of commitment – not moisturising regularly. I could almost feel my skin calling out to be quenched. But I promise, I’m on the mend. Keeping my skin supported and hydrated is now a core pillar in my beauty routine because dehydrated skin makes for dull and lacklustre makeup, not to mention, the effects it can have on your skin as you age (we’re talking diminishing collagen and antioxidants along with fine lines here people).

“When it comes to hydrating my face, I look for products that are going to reverse all those mistakes – because it turns out I was causing less bouncy, less radiant skin in the long run. So, now that I’m surrounded by the best of the best in the world of beauty, I choose products that I can easily incorporate easily in my mainstay routine. Sure, it might cost me in the short term, but boy will it be worth it.

“My current must-haves? The powerful, ultra-luxe, collagen-supporting duo from Elizabeth Arden’s Prevage® range. Firstly, I generously apply the Prevage® 3-in-1 Reset Serum ($175 at Elizabeth Arden) – which works to take care of any visible signs of ageing. Then I slather on the skin barrier-strengthening Prevage® Multi-Restorative Soft Cream ($195 at Elizabeth Arden). And let me tell you, soft is exactly how my skin feels after using this gloriously rich cream, with some added plumping, skin barrier-supporting benefits thrown into the formula too. So, it turns out, the proof really is in the skincare routine.”

3/ Overplucked eyebrows

For anyone who experienced the early 2000s, you’ll remember the dangerously thin arches of the time. Even future beauty editors weren’t immune. BEAUTYcrew's Beauty Editor, Briar Clark lets us in on her brow journey.

“Despite the fact that I distinctly remember my mother telling me not to pluck my eyebrows as a teenager, I did it anyway. The only problem was, as a 13-year-old lacking a fully formed frontal lobe, I completely believed that I had the ability to turn my shapeless, caterpillar brows into beautiful, feminine arches with no education and a pair of blunt tweezers. Suffice to say this lapse in judgement has haunted me ever since. In the years since graduating high school, I’ve let my brow hairs have the opportunity to actually grow out and they’re attended to by a brow technician once a year (just to keep the shape looking tidy). In the past few years, I’ve tried bleaching, tinting and laminating my brows to try and find my personal brow style too. After much trial and error, I’ve come to the conclusion that the regular use of a brow serum and grooming with a spoolie throughout the day is the simplest, and therefore the best solution — I don’t even really wear brow makeup anymore to fill in sparse areas. I’ve also become more confident about plucking my own eyebrows again, except these days I use a TikTok filter to ensure I’m not destroying the shape and fullness I’ve built over the last decade.”

So, there you have it. Three editor-approved top tips for correcting the past and protecting the future. Say it with us: every mistake is an opportunity to grow (no, literally, we’re talking about your beauty stash, duh).

Main Image Credit: @jastookes