35 Common Mistakes You Don't Realize Make Your Hair & Makeup Look Bad

Filling in and shaping your brows can totally transform your look and the Micro Brow pencil by NYX makes it easy, thanks to the ultra-fine tip that creates precise, hair-like lines. It’s waterproof, smudge-resistant, and buildable, with a spoolie brush on the other side to blend and fluff.

• Available colors: 13

Ditch your rough, terry cloth towels and dry your hair with these super absorbent microfiber hair wraps instead. They’re designed to quickly soak up excess water from all hair types while the plush, static-free fibers minimize breakage, split ends, and frizz. Just wrap your hair up in the easy-to-use twist-and-loop system, and multitask as your hair dries.

Tame flyaways and stray hairs in a flash with this two-pack of hair finishing sticks. Each wand is filled with a gel-like formula made with natural plant ingredients that provide a long-lasting, moisturizing hold without a greasy feeling or sticky residue. It’s compact and lightweight, making it easy to bring with you for on-the-go touch-ups whenever and wherever you need.

Aside from traditional shampoo and conditioner, elevate your hair game with this nourishing anti-breakage hair serum. It’s suitable for all hair types and textures, as the formula hydrates and strengthens strands, while leaving them with a frizz-free shine. It’s made from coconut milk and egg white protein, and smells like warm vanilla, tangerines, and coconut.

In just eight seconds, L’Oréal’s Wonder Water will leave your hair looking and feeling silkier, shinier, and healthier — i.e., it’s one of the most low-maintenance beauty hacks out there. It uses lamellar water technology to uniquely target damaged areas of hair, smoothing and hydrating it without weighing it down or making it look greasy.

Getting your makeup brushes truly clean before swapping shades is a must to prevent muddy looks, and this color remover sponge makes it quick and easy. In just three seconds, the sponge absorbs leftover pigment, thanks to its dual-sided carbon design. It’s packed in a tin that makes it convenient for travel.

This hair-thickening lotion by Garnier is your solution if you have fine hair but are seeking a boost in volume and fullness. Its sheer, ultra-lightweight formula is infused with cotton flower extract to add body without the crunchy feeling of hair spray. With this, you can enjoy hair that looks thicker, with an ultra-soft feel and natural movement.

Tie your hair up without pulling and snagging with these satin hair scrunchies, designed for ultimate softness and gentleness. Unlike regular hair ties, these satin scrunchies won't compromise hair health, thanks to the smooth surface that glides across strands and doesn’t soak up moisture. They’re perfect for overnight or everyday wear, providing a secure hold without leaving dents or creases.

• Available colors: 15

Save time and money in between trips to the salon with this root touch-up powder that offers a clever solution to conceal new growth. It uses an ultra-light binding powder that you apply with the included unique sponge applicator to ensure color correction while also achieving a natural shine without any sticky residue.

• Available colors: 10

Before applying lip color, give your dry, cracked lips the TLC they need (and deserve) with this sugar lip scrub made with a healing blend of Hawaiian cane sugar, kukui oil, and shea butter. It exfoliates and moisturizes, gently removing dead skin and leaving your lips looking more supple and smooth. It’s cruelty-free and vegan, too.

Instead of piling on powder blush that can cake or be difficult to blend, this cream blush provides a soft and buildable tint that’s lightweight and natural looking. Just swipe it on using the doe-foot applicator and blend with your fingers for your desired look. Choose from five shades for a perfect flush of color.

• Available shades: 5

Apply fake eyelashes (both strips and singles) effortlessly with this lash applicator tool. It keeps your fingers free from messy lash glue and makes it easy to achieve perfect placement, so you won’t end up with a lopsided look. Made from stainless steel with an ergonomic design, it features a handy angled crescent tip that won’t get in the way.

• Available colors: 3

Achieve bouncy, voluminous curls without a curling iron or wand, thanks to this heatless curling set by Kitsch. The soft, silky headband creates beautiful, heat-free curls or waves without any damage. Just wrap damp hair around the cushioned rod, secure with the included scrunchies, and wake up to a style that’s ready to go.

Keep your eye shadow locked in place with this fan-favorite primer that controls oil all day. It also allows for smooth application and enhances the pigment of your shadows, too. Just apply a pea-size amount to dry eyelids, wait about 30 seconds, and continue with your makeup.

This hydrating, glow-enhancing lotion is enriched with glycerin and shea butter, providing all-day moisture and just the right amount of radiance. With four shades that cater to all skin tones, the lotion can be worn alone, layered under your foundation, or applied to specific areas for a luminous and lifting effect. It’s a great (and safe) way to achieve a sun-kissed glow without the risk of actual UV exposure.

• Available shades: 4

Your makeup can only be as good as the quality of your brushes, and this premium makeup brush set has everything you need for a full, flawless face. The kit includes 14 in total: five brushes for foundation, powder, concealer, and contouring, along with nine brushes for eyeliner, eye shadow blending, and brows. You’ll even get a bottle of cleaning solution.

Give your skin a fast, fresh scrubbing session with this exfoliating cleanser that’s great for sensitive, oily, and acne-prone skin. It’s made with with 10% glycolic and salicylic acids for a gentle yet potent formula that reduces acne, dark spots, and uneven texture. It removes makeup and excess oil without drying, leaving your skin looking and feeling smooth and clean.

• Available options: 6

Give your hair the therapy it deserves with this Italian-formulated hair serum. From the first use, you can achieve a reduction in breakage and split ends, while smoothing and controlling frizz for softer, shinier hair. It also protects against heat styling and sun damage — and the capsule design makes them easy to pack along while traveling.

Made from satin, these pillowcases offer silky smoothness and softness for a restful night's sleep that’s gentle on your hair and skin. The slippery surface is less likely to cause face creases and hair tangles, and it won’t soak up moisture either — attributes cotton can’t claim. Available in a whopping 35 colors, the pillowcases are machine washable and feature envelope closures.

• Available colors: 35
• Available sizes: 5

Achieve smoother, glowing skin and deep exfoliation with these facial razors made for at-home dermaplaning. The stainless steel blades effectively remove peach fuzz to help foundation go on more smoothly, while also whisking away dead skin buildup. The result? Brighter skin and makeup that applies and blends easily.

Using a thermal protectant before heat styling is a must — and this one even adds shimmer, thanks to one star ingredient: rock crystal extract. The lightweight spray doesn’t feel crunchy on hair, but provides excellent protection, light conditioning, and an infusion of body. The best part? One reviewer wrote, “This stuff smells like a marriage between mermaids and angels. Delightful.”

Give your your curls their due by ensuring they’re well defined and frizz-free with this volumizing hair diffuser attachment. It creates indirect heat to help enhance the natural shape of your hair while helping it maintain its body. The diffuser has a near-universal fit for hair dryer nozzles between 1.7 inch to 2.6 inches in diameter, making it a foolproof ally in your hair-care arsenal.

• Available colors: 7

A thorough skin-care routine doesn’t neglect the lips. Infused with coconut and jojoba oil, this intensive overnight mask leaves them soft and smooth, while helping to protect sensitive lip skin from environmental stressors for a plumper, calmer appearance. Plus, its peach scent is ah-mazing.

If you’re skipping lash curling because it seems unnecessary, you’re missing out. You can give your lashes more volume and lift instantly with this pro eyelash curler that costs less than the price of coffee. It features a comfortable, ergonomic design for convenience, along with a specially contoured curve and strong spring that makes using it a breeze. It comes with an extra rubber pad for easy replacement, too.

These half-moon shields are perfect for protecting the under-eye area from makeup fallout when you’re applying eyeshadow, eyelash glue, or mascara. They also help guide you in applying a flawless cat eye or winged eyeliner look, serving as a reliable edge you can trace next to. The shields are backed with a gentle self-adhesive for easy use.

Keep makeup from melting throughout the day with this lightweight setting spray that reduces shine and oil for a fresh look that lasts. Extending your makeup wear for up to 16 hours, the spray is the final step in your getting-ready routine — just spritz it on. It comes in multiple finish options, including dewy and matte.

• Available options: 8

Achieve a vacation-inspired, sun-kissed glow, without the negative effects of real UV rays, with these fragrance-free self-tanning drops. Designed for your face and neck, they allow you to gradually build up a natural-looking bronze color when blended with your favorite moisturizer or serum. They’re formulated with hyaluronic acid for extra hydration, so they won’t dry out your skin.

Stop blending your face makeup with your fingers and use these latex-free makeup sponges instead — they boast an impressive 4.7-star overall rating on Amazon. They’re great for applying and blending BB cream, foundation, concealer, powder, and liquids for full coverage or contouring. They can be used wet or dry for a smooth and even finish that your fingers just can’t achieve.

Toner is often a step that’s skipped in skin-care routines — but it shouldn’t be. This gentle face toner delivers hydration and pH balance to the skin, using 98% natural-origin ingredients like witch hazel and aloe vera. Dermatologist tested, it also reduces the appearance of pores, balances oil, and improves skin texture. No wonder it has a 4.7-star overall rating after 120,000 reviews.

• Available varieties: 6

Using a color corrector before applying your foundation can make a world of difference, which is why this redness-correcting primer from the popular brand Neutrogena is a must-have. This silky, skin-smoothing formula is made with seaweed extract and won’t leave a greasy feeling behind. It can be worn under makeup or on its own; if you use it with makeup, you’ll realize how easily it glides on after application.

• Available options: 3

Keep your lashes from getting clumped together with this eyelash comb that individually separates your lashes while removing excess mascara, too. It features fine teeth separated at an optimal distance to weed out tiny clumps and flakes for a smooth, fluffy-looking finish. It’s made from durable stainless steel and offers a comfortable grip.

It doesn’t get better than this ice roller from Elizabeth Mott, which only requires up to 15 minutes of prep to use. Just place the head in the freezer, and enjoy the cold therapy that it will provide, all thanks to its fast-cooling polymer gel. This roller doesn’t just help with puffiness — it can also help boost circulation and help your skin better absorb serum. It’s self-care that couldn’t be easier.

If you’re washing your face, but skipping makeup removal, you’re probably left with a thin layer of residue on your skin that may lead to breakouts. This cleansing balm makes cosmetic removal a satisfying process, since the oil-based formula melts away pigment while hydrating and soothing skin. It’s made with just 10 ingredients and has a fresh, citrusy scent.

Keeping your makeup brushes clean should be an essential part of your routine, but for so many of us — it’s not. Thankfully, this electric makeup brush cleaner makes it easy, doing most of the work for you as it washes your brushes in minutes for more hygienic, residue-free bristles. It can clean three to four brushes at a time and is powered via USB.

Apply your makeup in a new light (literally) with this backlit makeup vanity mirror that features LEDs around the perimeter for enhanced clarity. It has options for 1x, 2x, and 3x magnification, making it a perfect companion for applying precise and detailed eye makeup, tweezing, blackhead removal, and more. Plus it has a lightweight design for portability and dual power supply for home or on-the-go use.