1. Leaving Toenail Polish on Too Long
Many of us take an "apply it and forget it" approach with our toenail enamel, which means that once the socks come on, we might go months without a polish change. (Fingernail polish usually chips before this is an issue.) "Leaving polish on so long can erode nails and turn them yellow," says Dove dermatologist Ellen Marmur, MD, who advises waiting no more than three weeks to remove polish.
2. Bronzing Like It's July
Yes, your skin is probably pallid this time of year. But you can't expect to hold onto a deep summer glow without it looking unnatural, according to makeup artist Romy Soleimani, beauty director at large for Beauty.com. Use a bronzer that's only a shade or two darker than your current skin tone (not the one you applied back when you'd just returned from the beach) for the most realistic results.
3. Wearing the Wrong Shade of Blush
"Cold, windy air can leave some of us with inflamed, ruddy cheeks," says Soleimani. "Avoid red or rosy blushes, which will draw attention to these areas; try a soft peach shade instead."
4. Drowning Your Hair in Masks
A hair treatment once a week -- fine. But many women try to combat dry, static-y strands by indulging in lengthy mask applications multiple times a week. "This can lead to product residue that turns the hair limp and lifeless," says Christian Wood, Toni & Guy celebrity stylist. Instead, he suggests using your mask as a daily conditioner and washing it out after a minute or two. "You'll get the benefit of a richer conditioner without weighing hair down," he says.
5. Dusting on Too Much Shimmer Powder
It adds radiance, but "powder can also highlight chapped skin," says Soleimani. She recommends pressing a cream version into the skin as an alternative. "It won't settle into fine lines or accentuate dry areas."
6. Trying to Undo Your Summer Skin Sins Too Quickly
Dermatologists often see patients who skipped their retinol when the sun was out, then overcompensated in winter months by doubling up on their daily treatment dose, says Dr. Marmur. This irritates skin and leads to flaking. Instead, start by applying your retinol three times a week and work up to once a day.
Also on HuffPost:
