Not Checking Colours in Natural Light

It’s perfectly normal for people to look at the colour in the mirror in the store and trusting that that is how it looks normally. You’ve got to check the colours in the natural light.

Take it to a nearby window and then hold the mirror up. You may find that it is too dark or too light in that light; and that is the light most people will see you in.

Forgetting About Seasonal Changes

As temperatures change, the skin is affected. It can dry out in the winter and glow during the summer. This affects the way that makeup will look during these changes.

Many people fail to think about how their skin can change and just by the same makeup over and over again. Check the colour and the type of makeup to make sure it suits you.

Not Giving Lipstick Time

Whether you love the matt lipsticks or a glossy option, you need to give it time when trying. Put the lipstick on and then browse around the store for a few minutes.

Act as you normally would and then go back to see how the lipstick looks. Does it hold the colour? Is it fading already? This will give you an idea of how it will look after a few hours.

Using Your Hands for Testing

Foundations, eye makeup and even lipsticks usually come with tester options. If there’s no mirror, you’re likely going to test it on your hand to see what the actual colour looks like.

This doesn’t give you a real idea! The skin on your hands is completely different to the skin on your face. Your face will have more oils and often a slightly different colour. This affects the way the makeup looks.

Not Giving Perfume a Chance

When you’re buying a new perfume, do you quickly spray and smell to decide? This doesn’t tell you what people will smell after a few hours. It will be strong at first and the scent doesn’t have chance to settle.

Take your time to decide on a scent. Even take a walk outside and smell it afterwards to see how good it smells.

Not Checking Ingredients

Not all makeup and perfume is made the same. You need to check all the ingredients to make sure it is suitable for your skin and you are not allergic to it.

If you aren’t sure about the ingredient, check the name of it on your phone (most have internet now) to find out what it really is. The last thing you want is to get home and suffer a severe allergic reaction.

Allow Yourself to Nap

You need to get your body back into the swing of real life. While relaxing, holidays are also tiring. Allow yourself some time to nap and rejuvenate before you try to get back into the swing of things.

If you’re travelling on public transport, nap on it instead of trying to read or watch that in-flight movie.

Get Some Natural Light

When you come back from a holiday, you may find yourself with shorter days and longer nights—or just bad weather! Your brain needs light and natural light is the best. Spend as much time as you can outside.

If you really can’t get outside, make sure the blinds and curtains are open so the daylight shines through when it can. Only shut the blinds when it gets dark.

Get Your Eating Patterns Back to Normal

Being away will play havoc with your eating. You’ll have desserts most nights and may have enjoyed brunches or ate whenever you wanted.

It’s really important to get your body back to normal and you need to normalise your eating pattern. Do this as soon as possible. Going cold turkey will help you get back into the swing of life.

Don’t Go Straight for the TV

When you want entertainment, avoid opting straight for the TV. Why not read a book or pull out a board game for the whole family to play?

This is a great way to spend time together, have fun and do something that doesn’t seem like the same boring thing. You may even feel like you are still on holiday for a little longer.

Give Your Self Time

Book a couple of extra days off work after the end of your holiday. You don’t want to get home and go into work the next day.

It will just bring you back down to Earth way too quickly. Have a couple of extra days so you can give yourself time and get ready for the real life to settle back in.

Have Other Things to Look Forward To

The highlight of the year is usually the holiday. This makes the blues much harder to avoid.

Instead, have other things throughout the year that you can look forward to. It could be a mini break running up to Christmas or as birthday party or wedding.

Don’t Pull the Decorations All Down

If the holiday was at your own home and involved decorations, don’t pull them all down right away.

Do it a little at a time or get your friends to come over and help you. Taking the decorations down can seem sad and you may feel lonely. That’s a recipe for the blues!

Speak to Someone You Trust

The best way to beat your depression is by talking about it. Choose someone you trust and share your thoughts or feelings with them.

You’ll need to make sure they’re comfortable hearing it though as they may worry they’ll say the wrong thing.

A therapist is available, who is trained in helping you deal with depression and the reasons behind it.

Get Outside and Enjoy the Fresh Air

It’s easy to lock yourself in the house and usually in a dark room. This does nothing for your depression—in fact, it makes it worse. Get yourself outside and enjoy the fresh air.

You don’t need to go anywhere specific. Simply sit in your back garden and listen to the birds or go for a walk around your local park.

Don’t Block Out Light

Another common instinct for those with depression is to block out light. This just fuels the depressed feelings and will lead to a terrible cycle.

Fight against your mental illness by opening your curtains and enjoying the light come through. You will be amazed by how much better you feel.

Eat a Nutritious Diet

The food you eat plays an important part in your mental state. You may not realise it but eating unhealthily leads to the brain not getting the right amount of nutrients.

You feel worse because of it and often lethargic. Change your diet and focus on eating healthy and balanced meals. You’ll soon find that your brain thanks you for the nutrients by making you feel better.

Do Some Exercise on a Daily Basis

Exercise is so much better for you than anything else. It releases endorphins, which are natural chemicals from the brain. These are known as the happy hormone and naturally make you feel better within yourself.

It’s a quick way to fight off those depressive feelings and take more control over your emotions. Exercise also releases serotonin, which is the body’s natural painkiller.

Make a List of the Good Things

It’s common to focus on the bad when you feel depressed but focus on the good things instead. Make a list of all the things that you are grateful for and the things that have been great in your life.

Who is close to you? What have you achieved? What things are you good at? You may find it hard at first but you will eventually find that there is more good than bad in your life.

Switch Negative to Positive Thoughts

Stop focusing on the negative thoughts. These will just make you worse. Focus on the positives.

Remember everything happens for a reason and focus on why that is. So the car isn’t starting—it just means you get to walk and do more exercise!