ABC Beauty Tips: K is for Kick the Bad Habits!

"Habit is habit and not to be flung out of the window by any man,

but coaxed downstairs a step at a time."

                                                                - Mark Twain

By a show of hands, how many of you have a beauty habit you KNOW you need to break? Slowly and shamefully I raise my hand too.  That's because we are creatures of habit and we get caught up in our day to day routines, whether they are good for us or not.  Below is a list of beauty habits you need to "KICK" down your stairs, wearing you most fabulous heels.  Of course.  (Sorry Mark, coaxing these bad habits just won't cut it.)

Kicking Habit #1: PUMPING YOUR MASCARA WHILE APPLYING
Stop this immediately!  You are only pumping air into your mascara tube, making the entire tube dry out faster. This leads to mascara flaking off onto your face as the day goes on and having to purchase another mascara sooner than you'd like.   

Kicking Habit #2: INSISTS ON USING A MAGNIFYING MIRROR 
Toss it.  No joke.  Get rid of that evil thing.  This mirror only magnifies and enhances what the rest of us don't even see!  You will be picking, plucking, and squeezing your way to a blotched up face that could potentially lead to minor scaring.  SO not worth it.   

Kicking Habit #3: GOING TWEEZER HAPPY
Please, for the love of all that is sacred (eyebrows) stop over plucking!  Eyebrows are the gorgeous frame to every face.  They can make or break a mug.  When eyebrows are over plucked and too thin, they make you look older.  Putting that tweezer down now... aren't ya?!  

Kicking Habit #4: NEGLECTING YOUR BABIES (ie: BRUSHES)
I know for a fact, that everyone reading this has dirty makeup brushes hanging out in their makeup bag right now.  That's fine.  They are suppose to get dirty.  But it takes no longer than 5-10 seconds a brush, once a week to keep those babies clean and keep the skin on your face happy!  

Quick, Cheap, Easy Makeup Brush Solution

-1 part alcohol 

-2 parts purified water 

-1 plastic spray bottle (doesn't have to cost more than $1.99)

Method

Use 3-5 sprays of the above solution directly onto a piece of paper towel or dry wash cloth.  Take your brush and swirl it gently into the solution.  This will pull up the dirt and makeup from your bristles, while sterilizing your brush.  Lay the brush flat and it will be dry in seconds ready for use again.  Do this at least twice a week to keep brushes clean.  Every other week or once a month, use 1 part olive oil mixed with 2 parts liquid hand soap to thoroughly clean the bristles on your brush. Run through warm water to rinse.  Lay flat over night.  The olive oil will keep the hairs on your brushes conditioned, while the liquid hand soap gives them a good, sterilized cleaning! **Careful not to use too much olive oil, especially on your natural haired brushes.  The natural hairs will absorb the oil leaving the bristles greasy when dry.  

Kicking Habit #5: OVERHEATING YOUR HAIR
Step away from the blow dryer! Chill out and give your head a break from time to time.  Let your hair air dry at minimum, twice a week.  Overuse of your hairdryer or even daily use can lead to split, dry ends and a dulled out 'do.  

So, which habit are you going to break- starting today?  

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Niki Brennan of B3: Beauty by Brennan, is a professional makeup artist living in Philadelphia.  

You can learn more about her at www.nikibrennan.com. You can also find Niki on facebook, twitter and linkedin.