The 11 Most Common Beauty Mistakes Women in Sri Lanka Make
This week, we spoke to Soraya De Zoyza of the Sothy's Estheti Centre and asked her about some common mistakes Sri Lankan women make, when it comes to their beauty routines.
Soraya De Zoysa is the GM / Director and Consultant for The Estheti Centre and Silvacos who are the agents for Sothys, Sesderma, Paul Mitchell and Lanza in Sri Lanka. Soraya has 18 years of experience in the beauty industry and most of her time is divided between training and the marketing aspect of the business. She says that her goal is for the Estheti Center to be the benchmark in the industry and also to spearhead and bring international products and treatments of high quality and that offer the clients results, to Sri Lanka. She is passionate about her work and really believes in the products she represents, but says that the most challenging and fulfilling role she has ever been in is the role of ‘mom’.
1) Incorrect application of sunblock
Many people make the mistake of not applying sufficient sunblock when going out in the sun. For sunblock to work at its optimum it needs to be liberally applied. We ideally require about half a teaspoon for face + neck. Sunblock does not offer 24 hour protection so make sure to reapply sunblock at least every 4 hrs and every 2 hours when swimming. Understandably most women don’t like using too much sunblock as our weather is hot and humid. I would advise choosing a lite textured oil free sunblock for daily use and a waterproof sunblock for swimming which ideally should be a little heavier. Also make sure to apply sunblock at least 20 minutes before exposure.
Sri Lankan skin types enjoy natural protection so there is no need to choose high SPF sunblocks. Ideally a 30SPF or 50SPF is more than sufficient. Furthermore the difference between a 50SPF and 90 SPF may only be about 2%!
2) Using harsh cleansers on oily skin
Most Sri Lankan ladies have a combination or oily skin type. Acne is also a common skin condition. One of the most common mistakes is trying to dry out an oily skin with harsh cleansers / soap and washing oily skin too often. Stripping the skin of its natural oils will only cause it to fight back by producing more oil. So you end up with oily AND dehydrated skin. Dehydration will in turn cause more acne, pigmentation or darkening of the skin and premature ageing. Use a gentle cleanser suited for oily skin types and restrict cleansing to a maximum of 2 to 3 times per day.
3) Neglecting the eyes and neck
The first signs of ageing are seen on the eye contour and neck as the skin in these areas are the most fragile with little fat and constant muscle movement which cause wrinkles. Furthermore the type of skin around the eyes and neck require specific attention which cannot be addressed by regular face cream. So invest in a specific eye and neck cream along with your face cream.
4) Starting on an anti-ageing regime too late
Unfortunately ageing of the fairer sex begins at 25 and ironically men age much later in life. Fortunately as Asians we will age more gracefully than our European counterparts showing less visible signs at this age. Nevertheless the ageing process has begun and ideally we need to look at maintaining the youthfulness of our skin as early as possible. The good news however is that 60% of ageing is caused by external factors which can be controlled while only 40% is predetermined by our genetic composition. UV radiation is the primary cause for skin ageing so this is yet another reason for investing in a good sunblock along with an anti-ageing cream suited to the AGE OF YOUR SKIN. So your mum's moisturizer may not be suitable for you!
5) Using a black lip liner
Lip liners should be the same colour of your lip stick or a shade darker. Applying a very dark liner will make your features look harsh and mature.
6) Using foundations that are too light
Always choose a foundation to match your skin tone or maybe half a shade darker as it may oxidize after a few minutes. However opting for a shade that is much lighter will only make darker skins appear grey or even green (in the event that a very yellow base is used on brown skin). Also make sure to apply foundation in the middle of the face and move outwards to the hair line to avoid a mask like effect. And don’t forget to use your powder / base behind your ears and neck for an even look.
7) Using conditioners on the scalp
Conditioners are meant for the length and ends of the hair. Hair close to the scalp will get sufficient nourishment/conditioning from the natural oils present on the scalp. The best way to use conditioners is to squeeze dry the hair, then rub an adequate amount between the palms of your hands and work from the ends upwards. Never massage the conditioner into your scalp unless it is a special scalp conditioner. Leave in conditioners can be applied in the same way after towel drying your hair.
8) Not popping that pimple
I know we have been told time and time again not to pick at pimples however draining a pimples is the fastest way to getting rid of a zit. Done correctly is also ensure that there will be no scarring. However there are a few golden rules when extracting acne.
• It must be carried out by a professional.
• A sterile needle must be used to gently open the pore.
• Done under hygenic conditions and the area disinfected immediately.
• It should be done at the correct time.
• It should never to forced out of the skin.
However this does NOT apply to cystic and deep rooted acne and professional guidance must always be sought.
9) Choosing the right method of hair removal
Many ladies suffering from thick unwanted facial hair resort to tweezing and shaving which may lead to discolouration of the skin and in grown hair. Constant waxing of the under arms and bikini line leaves you with unsightly stubble for most days until your hair is long enough to be waxed and you still have to deal with the issue of in grown hair and discolouration. The ideal method for thick unwanted hair is Permanent Hair Reduction. However it is important to choose a permanent method which is specially designed for Sri Lankan skin types or dark Asian skin types. Methods such as lasers could leave you with burns or further discolouration of the skin. Most Sri Lankans fall under skin types 4 or 5. So make sure the technology you choose is safe and effective for your skin type.
10) Know when to wear red lipstick
Bold colours on your lip should be balanced with neutral colours on the eyes. Intense colours on the lip and eyes will make you look overdone and tacky.
11) Over plucked brows
Overly thin eye brows can age you and make your features look harsh. It is important to neaten up your brows without over plucking. Brows should be highlighted with a colour a shade lighter than their natural hair colour. Avoid black as this again will make it look artificial. Best way to darken brows is by using an eye brow powder. If you’re using a pencil use a brush to apply the colour for a natural finish. Optionally if you have a steady hand mascara works. Never apply colour directly to the starting point of your brow. Colour should be applied on the body of the brow first.
By Sandra de Zilva
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