The 5 Beauty Regrets Pros See Every Day

If you’re reading this, there’s no doubt in my mind that you have at least one beauty regret (though honestly, most of us have several). I certainly do—despite being a beauty writer and dreaming of entering the industry since middle school, I’ve made my fair share of mistakes, from skipping sunscreen to bleaching my hair at home, which left me with neon-yellow roots and plenty of breakage.

Meet Our Expert

• Tylor Johnson is a hair colorist and the founder and CEO of Nous Haircare.

• Margarita Copeland is an esthetician and the founder and CEO of Nabaya by Margo.

• Sharon Ladokun is a manicurist and Aprés Gel-X specialist.

All five of the professionals I spoke to for this article, from celebrity makeup artists to manicurists, estheticians, and hairstylists, can relate. Some over-plucked their eyebrows in the early aughts, some chopped bangs only to bobby-pin them back for months, while others expressed regret over more permanent beauty choices, like injectables. Below, they’re each sharing the most common beauty regrets they see among their clients (celebrities and civilians alike), a few of their own regrettable beauty choices, and ways that you can avoid the same missteps.

Beauty Regret #1: Drastic Eyebrow Changes

Multiple makeup and skincare pros I spoke to name microblading and other forms of eyebrow tattoos as their clients’ number-one beauty regret “because the tones end up pulling red over time, they scar, or they don't love the shape after a few years and are stuck with them,” says celebrity makeup artist Kasey Spickard.

Decisions like over plucking, which can result in permanent sparse areas, also catch up with clients. “Over plucking eyebrows is so common because trends are always evolving,” says makeup artist Shreni Patel. “Whether you want a skinny ‘90s eyebrow or the straight eyebrow where you shave off your tail, and then the next trend is a brushed-up thick eyebrow,” it can be tricky to tell which shapes will work best on you and which trends will stick.

That’s why Patel recommends using makeup to experiment with different brow looks before you commit to a permanent change. “If thin eyebrows are what you wish, try using a lash gel to brush into the brow and then pinch them together to see if that look would suit you,” she advises. You can also opt for an at-home brow lamination and tint kit, such as this one by Brow Code, for a transformation that will only last six to eight weeks.

Beauty Regret #2: Undervaluing Skin Care

“Many individuals overlook the importance of early skin care, which can prevent deeper wrinkles and skin issues later in life,” says esthetician Margarita Copeland. “The adage ‘the earlier, the better’ rings especially true in skin care; investing in one’s skin from a young age can pave the way for a more radiant and natural beauty.” You don’t need an overly complicated regimen to care for your skin—a cleanser and moisturizer designed for your skin type will do the trick, along with a daily SPF.

“Once skin is damaged, it is so much harder to reverse,” says Patel. “My biggest skin-care regret is not wearing SPF at all times. I now have permanent sun spots on my cheek and get rashes if I don't coat myself in protection.” It can be overwhelming to navigate the many skin-care products on the market, so Copeland recommends paying attention to products’ ingredient lists instead of their marketing claims and turning to a professional when you have questions. “Your esthetician should be your advocate, guiding you toward the best practices for achieving and maintaining radiant skin,” she says.

Beauty Regret #3: High-Maintenance Haircuts

According to hairstylist and founder of Nous Haircare, Tylor Johnson, “The first and foremost most common regret is always bangs.” The second is a bob. Why? “It is such a fun change at first, but soon becomes a grave mistake once you realize the haircut's styling needs and how it grows out," she says. “There is no easy way to grow either of them out and you will have many awkward phases.”

When it comes to a drastic haircut, she recommends erring on the side of caution. “Instead of getting full-on bangs, start with some face-framing layers. Instead of a full bob, start with a long bob that sits at the collarbone.” Both looks will allow you more grace when it comes to styling and different stages of grow-out.

Beauty Regret #4: Removing Fake Nails at Home

Removing acrylics or other fake nails at home can make nails thin, brittle, and sensitive, says manicurist Sharon Ladokun, because it's quite difficult to do it correctly. Doing so can also contribute to future sets lifting faster and wreaking further damage on your natural nails.  “Many clients don’t realize how important cuticle care and proper techniques are until they see the difference after working with a trained professional,” she says. “Misinformation online also leads some to take shortcuts that backfire in the long run.” Her best piece of advice is to find a nail artist who “prioritizes proper prep and care, especially in the cuticle area” and to ask questions to clarify the products or techniques your nail artist uses.

“I encourage my clients to have fun and try new trends, but always with their nail health as the top priority,” she explains. ”Explore creative looks, but make sure you’re working with someone who knows how to protect your natural nails in the process. Healthy nails are the foundation for any great design.”

Beauty Regret #5: Overdoing Injectables

“Many [clients] express sorrow over opting for excessive Botox, wishing they had approached their beauty routines with more mindfulness,” says Copeland. “With Botox, the temptation to achieve a youthful appearance can lead to overuse, resulting in an unnatural look that strays far from the original intention.”

Makeup artist Spickard cites his “Botox brow lift era” as his one big beauty regret. “In the moment, I loved how it looked,” he shares. “However, looking back, I think I went a little too hard and had an overly surprised expression on my face!”

He adds, “When it comes to more permanent and semi-permanent changes to your face, it's a good idea to always lean on the more conservative side and consult your friends and experts before making any major decisions.”

Read the original article on InStyle