The Ten Best Pieces Of Beauty Advice I've Ever Been Given

During my younger years there was always a bottle of Olay and shimmering pink Rimmel lipstick on my mum's dresser. There was always a selection of shampoos, conditioners and body washes in the bathroom to choose from every morning, and during Christmas season I couldn't wait to take my pennies down to The Body Shop to stock up on fruity scented treats. There are so many memories that I could share to showcase the emotive connections that I've made with everything from lipglosses and mascaras, to cleansers and bath oils over the years - but what brings those memories together are snippets of advice or recommendations that have changed my outlook or revolutionised my regime. With the birth of the internet, bloggers and Doctor Google at our fingertips, there's so much advice that we can feel overwhelmed with who to trust and what to do. But some nuggets of wisdom stand the test of time and really do offer a solution to our woes, whether they've been handed down through the generations, you've picked them up from a beauty counter or they've even been discovered on your favourite blog. I've collated the ten most life changing (dramatic moment alert) pieces of beauty advice I've ever been given, that I still rely on to this day, in the hope that they can help you or reaffirm your current regime. So here goes...

1. Never sleep in your makeup. It will clog pores, cause irritation and leave skin blemished. A few minutes effectively cleansing away makeup and dirt will leave your complexion bright, fresh and ready for your rejuvenating night cream.
WHO TOLD YOU THAT? I think it was ingrained in me from a young age, but reaffirmed by my favourite glossy magazines (and later favourite skincare bloggers!)

2. Apply cuticle oil to your nail bed twice a day for strong and healthy nails. It helps to nourish the nail as it grows, as well as preventing flaking or peeling around the nail bed.
WHO TOLD YOU THAT? A very wise nail technician who also told me she set an alarm on her phone to apply every three hours... She had the most incred nails, so you better believe it works!

3. Eye cream is essential in the fight against puffiness and fine lines, but only pat a small amount into the crease - rather than rubbing in a large amount vigorously and actually causing the delicate skin to become saturated and even more puffy. Less is more!
WHO TOLD YOU THAT? A facialist I trusted with my face after she turned me from a Knackered Katie into a Bright Betty in less than an hour.

4. Invest in a pedicure when it's sandal weather; the expense is worth it because you'll never be able to recreate the same look at home - and you have to look down at your toes more than anyone else!
WHO TOLD YOU THAT? My mum. She's the queen of pedicures.

5. Always apply SPF under your makeup in the morning. Exposure to the sun is the biggest cause of ageing, and the most preventable, so never compromise on applying sunscreen. (Even if you're not going outside, because our smartphones and laptops emit damaging rays too.)
WHO TOLD YOU THAT? I *think* it was Caroline Hirons, back in the day when I was first getting to grips with skincare and looking after my ageing complexion. She's a wealth of knowledge.

6. Avoid sulphates in your shampoo if you can: they may produce a luxurious feeling lather and a tonne of bubbles, but they also strip the surface and can cause colour to fade. Not ideal if your hair is thin, limp, dry or coloured.
WHO TOLD YOU THAT? I learned this while working at Paul Mitchell and helping to develop new hair care products. It was ingrained in me from day one, alongside avoiding silicone because it coats the hair's surface and can weigh it horribly down. 

7. Look after your brows, because they're the key to your entire face. Over-plucking or over styling can leave your features looking out of proportion, so visit a professional for a styling session and advice on how to ensure they're the most flattering shape for you.
WHO TOLD YOU THAT? Lisa Potter-Dixon from Benefit, who is the goddess of a good brow. I honestly don't know how I survived with such shocking brows for so long.

8. For a bright under-eye area, apply concealer in a 'V' shape and gently blend with a sponge. This helps to reflect the light and conceal darkness, without overloading the area or causing creasing; it's also way more flattering and requires way less product!
WHO TOLD YOU THAT? I can't remember where I learned this from, but I've got a feeling it was while watching a YouTube video or makeup tutorial.

9. Use a retinol-based product before bed, to help rejuvenate the skin and tackle those fine lines and dullness in the skin. This wonder-ingredient helps to trick the skin into behaving like it's new again, leaving your complexion fresh in around 4-6 weeks.
WHO TOLD YOU THAT? A combination of press releases, speaking to experts, features in magazines, talk across social media and my own research. I love it when a trickle builds to become a flood and you heed your own advice. 

10. To help lipstick last all day, apply a few layers and blot away any excess after each; finish off with a light dusting of translucent powder to seal in the colour and prevent any transference. 
WHO TOLD YOU THAT? The wonder women that are Pixiwoo. I believe anything they tell me to be honest.

Together these little gems of advice have really changed the way I undertake my beauty regime and stay with me every single day; they'll undoubtedly be passed on to my future generations and regurgiated on this blog more times than I care to count. But what about you guys? I asked you to share the best pieces of advice you'd ever been given, and these are some of my faves... (I may even have learned a trick or two myself!)

"When testing a new foundation, go outside to see if it matches right in daylight." @pintsizedtweets

"Moisturise! My mum told me from a young age to look after my skin, as it would look after me when I'm old." @beautybythebun

"I've been told to start brushing my hair from the bottom first to avoid knots." @vvnightingale

"Always wash your hands before cleansing, applying skincare or makeup!" @NishiV_MUA

"You can add but it's always hard to take away; apply makeup little by little rather than all at once." @jodiemelissaxo

"Use coconut oil! Everywhere. For everything. Hair masks, face oil, eczema, teeth pulling etc." @lizzieblix

"Let your moisturiser absorb for a good few minutes before applying makeup. Especially useful on my oilier skin." @Floribundar

"Wear SPF all year round, start using facial oils as soon as possible and leave hydrating masques on overnight." @RougepoutBeauty

"Sometimes overdoing it on the skincare front can make your skin look even worse, or cause extreme breakouts!" @franzizzy

"Wear sunscreen, don't mess with your eyebrows and age with grace. My mum told me wrinkles are a sign of the smiles and adventures that proceeded them." @AGirlAStyle

"Use cold pressed rose hip oil to reduce red acne scarring!" @TheAnnatations

"Prevention is better then cure it's never to early to start a good skin care routine, especially in your twenties!" @WeareCitizen_1

"Always cleanse, tone, moisturise and never go to bed with your makeup on. Oh and you're never too young to start wearing eye cream!" @KerminahLoves

"Look after your teeth. A good smile is better than any makeup product." @SilverSkies_LL

"If you want your makeup to last longer, apply setting spray to your face." @writtenbywinnie

"Stop. Using. Facewipes." @FaeriBex 

What's the best beauty advice that you've ever been given?

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