Beauty

5 Worst Beauty Tips on Pinterest

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Don’t try these at home, kids. Ever.

I am obsessed with Pinterest. I’m being completely honest here.  If it wasn’t for Pinterest, I probably wouldn’t know how to make meatless meatloaf or beef-less beef stew- as ridiculous as this sounds.

I used to have a DIY Beauty Pinterest board years ago, where I’d pin all these wonderful, DIY ideas that promised to make my skin look bright, supple and even-toned.. but.. the truth is a bitter pill to swallow.

Rubbing lemon on your skin, will not help you get rid of your dark spots…

Exfoliating with baking soda will not leave your skin looking smooth and beautiful.

.. and as far as that Oreo cookie mascara goes… well…

DIY AVOCADO SCRUB

Like, from the pit. Blending it (the pit, not the avo itself!!) and mixing it with your favorite creamy cleanser is supposed to create a face wash/scrub that leaves your skin feeling soft and smooth. Why not just use sandpaper on your face? In all seriousness though, chopped or blended pit is simply too harsh to be used on your face, it can create microscopic tears in the top layer of your skin- this allows bacteria to enter into deeper layers of your skin. As you use this “scrub”, your skin can also become inflamed. I’m guessing that this might work nicely as a foot scrub- if you have really rough skin- but I wouldn’t put it anywhere near my face. There’s this common misconception that when you have acne or problematic skin, you should be “rough” with it- nothing could be further from the truth. If you have problematic skin, you should stick to gentle cleansers and chemical exfoliants.

RUBBING LEMON ON YOUR FACE

Lemon sugar scrub, lemon juice toners, lemon facial cleansers…- lemon is probably one of THE most popular ingredients when it comes to DIY beauty on Pinterest. Rubbing lemon on your face and skin was also one of the first “natural” beauty tips I received, courtesy of a tween magazine I used to read many, many years ago (yes… back in the day we used to get our beauty reviews and tips from a magazine, this was waaaay back when we had a dial-up internet connection…God I feel old). My cousin and I used to spend our summers behind my great grandma’s barn, tanning all day long. By the end of the summer, our knees and elbows were brown to the point of looking, well.. dirty. That was when I remembered reading an article about brightening your skin using lemons. So I rubbed them on my knees, my elbows and unfortunately, my face. I ended up with something that my mom thought was a chemical burn on my face. Putting any kind of citrus fruit and/or juice on your skin can cause a phototoxic reaction called photodermatitis- and it’s not pretty, guys. Lemons are often recommended for brightening your acne scars, and while this might work at first, combine citrus oil and daylight and you will end up not only “burning” your skin, but your spots will look much darker than they did before. I see countless beauty bloggers/vloggers (some of which I love and adore!!) recommend this to their thousands and thousands of followers, and I just cringe. Whatever you do, please, don’t rub lemon on your face. Ever.

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CINNAMON HONEY MASK

Cinnamon is a spice. You wouldn’t think of putting cayenne pepper on your face, would you?  I once saw someone recommend this mask for those with acne-prone skin and it made me want to throw my laptop out the window. When you have active breakouts, you have to be even more careful about what you put on your skin. The same thing goes for sensitive skin, psoriasis, etc. Cinnamon can act as an irritant and cause superficial burns. You’ve been warned.

DIY MASCARA FROM OREO COOKIES

Need I say more? Go get yourself that $6.99 mascara from the drugstore.

BAKING SODA EXFOLIANT

We got ourselves another gem here. Baking soda is another “pantry ingredient” that’s highly popular when it comes to all these DIY beauty treatments you find online. So why exactly is it bad for your skin? pH is very, very important when it comes to your skin. Use something that is too alkaline and your skin barrier can be damaged, use something that is too acidic and you can end up with burns. Your skin’s acidity (or the acid mantle, the slightly acidic film on the surface of your skin that acts as a barrier to bacteria and other contaminants) falls between a pH of 4.5 and 6.2. Neutral pH is 7, anything above that creates an alkaline environment. When you mix baking soda with water, you get a pH of about 8. When applying something to your skin with a pH that’s that high, you are disrupting your skin’s acid mantle. Let me put it this way, I sometimes use baking soda to remove grease spills in my kitchen, to clean my sink and, on occasion to clean my toilets. It works like a charm. But that doesn’t mean I want to put that stuff anywhere near my face.

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We live in a wonderful time. We can blog, share our passion for beauty, skincare, and makeup. But, when it comes to DIY beauty treatments, take everything you see/find/come across with a grain of salt. Even if it’s coming from one of your favorite beauty bloggers.  There’s a lot of misinformation out there.  There are also tons of wonderful DIY beauty hacks and tips out there, but some of them are just plain dangerous. Always do your research and do a patch test when trying out something new! You may not always get a skin reaction right away, but in the long run, a lot of these DIY beauty tips you come across can be harmful to your skin.

Are there any DIY beauty fails that you’ve tried in the past?

67 Comments

  • Reply
    Ambar Syed
    March 11, 2016 at 9:03 am

    Haha, I’d never heard of Oreo cookie mascara! That sounds ridiculous :/ thanks for the heads up on other tips – I’ve never really done DIY beauty, but it’s good to know just in case!
    – Ambar x
    http://www.herlittleloves.blogspot.com

  • Reply
    Charlotte Burns
    March 11, 2016 at 9:25 am

    I just Googled the Oreo cookie mascara and I just don’t get it, it’s no cheaper and more effort, what’s the point haha! I’m so glad I’ve never tried any of these, the outcome of some of them sounds horrific, thanks for the heads up! xx

    Charlotte | Just Charlotte

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      March 11, 2016 at 9:52 am

      I don’t know why anyone would go through all of that hahah :) Maybe someone who’s really young and isn’t allowed to wear makeup? lol

  • Reply
    Katie
    March 11, 2016 at 9:35 am

    DIG mascara from oreo cookies…ha ha ha ha! Oh my god as if someone would actually think “oooh yeah…crumbletastic!”. One thing I have tried though was the egg white black head remover…and that actually works! xx lacoconoire.com

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      March 11, 2016 at 9:53 am

      Crumbletastic hahaha :D :D I tried the egg white mask years a go too and I agree that it actually works!

  • Reply
    Rachel
    March 11, 2016 at 10:03 am

    Whenever I see baking soda or lemon being advocated for DIY skincare, I cringe. People need to stop and think about what these ingredients are doing to their skin!

    Rachel | http://www.currentlyrachel.com

  • Reply
    Paula Loreti
    March 11, 2016 at 10:08 am

    I was going to try a face mask diy that has lemon juice in the recipe but thanks to you I won’t. The oreo cookie was so weird and why would you do that when you can eat it haha. Thanks for this tips!
    Ps: is incredible how many times you upload per week! I applaud and admire you

    http://www.blossomikebana.com

  • Reply
    jenna cantillion
    March 11, 2016 at 10:56 am

    I’m glad that I haven’t tried any of these!

    jenna | Beauty And The Style

  • Reply
    Kaeleen
    March 11, 2016 at 11:18 am

    I cringe every time I hear about that oreo mascara HA. The things people come up with……

  • Reply
    Aleksandra
    March 11, 2016 at 11:34 am

    People look suspicious at treat-yourself-ar-home advices (most of them, thankfully), but ignore it with beauty products. DIY hairstyle may make you look riddiculous but it is unlikely to leave lasting damage. Pouring untested stuff on your face can scar you for life. Just because it is a ‘beauty advice’ doesn’t mean it cannot have real life medical implications. Especially that they often target dermatological problems which should be treated by a doctor.

  • Reply
    Anna
    March 11, 2016 at 11:38 am

    I agree on all of the points. I had to read twice that part with Oreo mascara. Is that really a thing? What do you think about aspirin mask? Is aspirin a good thing to put on a face?

  • Reply
    Aisling | AislingsBeautyBytes
    March 11, 2016 at 12:07 pm

    I tried the ‘Lemon trick’ on my acne scars when I was 14 after reading it in a magazine article. WORST IDEA EVER. It was the height of summer and I was left with burning, painful skin that took weeks and weeks to heal fully. Luckily I haven’t tried any of the other beauty tips you mentioned here, but I know now that I definitely shouldn’t!
    Aisling | Aislings beauty bytes

  • Reply
    Hannah McDonnell
    March 11, 2016 at 12:07 pm

    Really interesting points. I had no idea about the lemon! I never felt brave enough to do the baking soda mask and I am super happy I never did! Thanks for the tips.

  • Reply
    Megan
    March 11, 2016 at 12:17 pm

    The DIY mascara from oreo cookies has be the one of the most ridiculously funny things I’ve ever heard!

    Megan | http://www.beautyblisswithmimi.co.za

  • Reply
    Hannah
    March 11, 2016 at 12:52 pm

    I can’t believe some people would recommend this sort of stuff! Especially the Oreo cookies one, how ridiculous, haha! Really enjoyed this post though it was very interesting xo

    ohhelloitshannah.blogspot.co.uk

  • Reply
    Laura
    March 11, 2016 at 2:14 pm

    Oreo cookies mascara? Haha that has to be the most bizarre thing I’ve ever heard! x

    laura | lauzylouu

  • Reply
    Lunatuh
    March 11, 2016 at 2:59 pm

    I always look at ingredients pretty critically. Baking soda or aspirine isn’t going on my skin for example. Banana, oil, salt, etc. For example is okay for me. Sour stuff neither, not even in my hair, unless it’s put on, wash out immediatly xD

    People should always test somewhere else first anyway like with any new product.

    But Oreo? Really what?! O.O

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      March 17, 2016 at 4:25 pm

      I love banana, avocado and oils salt/sugar too. It depends on the treatment. There are so many awesome DIYs but some of the most-popular ones can be really dangerous. :)

  • Reply
    Darina
    March 11, 2016 at 3:04 pm

    This is really awful! And oreo cookie mascara! Never heard of that!

  • Reply
    Kathy
    March 11, 2016 at 3:14 pm

    Yes, some of the pinterest ‘hacks’ just aren’t hacks hahaha. Something I found to be terrible was mixing coco powder and moisturiser to get an instant tan – it just doesn’t work. Great post!!

    kathy xx
    http://www.alongcamekathy.blogspot.co.nz

  • Reply
    Jennifer
    March 11, 2016 at 3:57 pm

    Haha loved reading this, Oreo cookies? I have literally never seen that thank goodness, let’s hope it’s not a very popular idea, although I’m now intrigued as to what the hell they mean, might have to check it out.. It’s hilarious/shocking how chinese whispers ruins things, I love lemon and pineapple, papaya etc for my skin but DILUTED, somehow that’s turned into rub lemon on your face haha!

    http://www.barelytherebeauty.com

    xx

  • Reply
    Jess | The Indigo Hours
    March 11, 2016 at 4:17 pm

    Now I really want to know how you’re supposed to turn Oreos into mascara!

    Jess xo | The Indigo Hours

  • Reply
    Rebecca Fletcher
    March 11, 2016 at 6:25 pm

    How on earth are you suppose to make mascara out of oreos?!! Probably the most bizzar pinterest hack ive heard of. LOL! I an terrified to use lemon on my face, Im scared it will burn. X

    http://www.beautylifebecca.blogspot.com

  • Reply
    The Sunday Mode
    March 11, 2016 at 7:02 pm

    The DIY mascara out of oreos actually made me laugh out loud, now that I want to see!

    http://www.thesundaymode.blogspot.com.au

  • Reply
    Lauren Pence
    March 11, 2016 at 9:06 pm

    Oreos? that’s hilarious!

    http://www.mytwopence.com/

  • Reply
    Neha 14wow
    March 12, 2016 at 6:45 am

    Oh, ur post is an eye opener, thx for sharing…why people suggest all that..uhh…
    xo, Neha

    http://www.theinstylejournal.com/

  • Reply
    Amanda
    March 12, 2016 at 8:20 am

    Oh man, lemon on your face? Who would think that that would be a good idea?! And baking soda?! Oh my God no, and certainly not spices. You don’t even need the science to know that it’s a bad idea, surely you just need common sense! >< However, the oreo cookie mascara sounds downright hilarious hahaha!

    Amanda Jayne | beauty, style, life

  • Reply
    Melanie@Toots + Dill
    March 12, 2016 at 11:37 am

    DIY Oreo mascara?? Wow…That’s bad. Real bad.

  • Reply
    Ela BellaWorld
    March 12, 2016 at 3:33 pm

    I was fool enough to try some of these masks, the ones with baking soda and lemon. Applying pure lemon to my skin wasn’t a great idea, so never again. The worst thing I did(like 10-15 years ago) was to apply toothpaste on my spots, someone recommended that and apparently worked for her, my spots got even worse. DIY oreo mascara… are they high or what? :)

    Ela BellaWorld

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      March 17, 2016 at 4:41 pm

      Oh the toothpaste is such an old trick, I think at one point one of my aunts told me to use it on my breakouts haha ;)

  • Reply
    Jessica
    March 12, 2016 at 5:48 pm

    Wow. No thank you. I appreciate pinterest for so many things, but you do have to be careful!

    mycatismyfriend.com

  • Reply
    The Gossip Darling
    March 12, 2016 at 10:45 pm

    OMG!! I made a charcoal mask! What a mess. I had to break activated charcoal pills, put the charcoal in a bowl and then mix with witch hazel. The charcoal was everywhere!!! Then my cat stepped on the dust on the floor and was leaving charcoal prints around my apartment. I spend over and hour cleaning and mopping my floors. Never again. I should have taken a video for my blog. It would have been like watching a comedy!

    Mel | http://www.thegossipdarling.com

  • Reply
    Kiss & Make-up
    March 13, 2016 at 3:34 am

    Eek, no no no to lemon and baking soda on the facade!

  • Reply
    Dagmara Klich
    March 13, 2016 at 7:25 am

    I’m so guilty of using lemon juice on my skin! And alcohol, to make my skin less oily, LOL! I wish I was wiser when I was a teenager :) Oreo mascara, that’s the best, LOL! Where they get those ideas from?? x

    Mummy’s Beauty Corner

  • Reply
    Chelsea Jacobs
    March 13, 2016 at 9:08 am

    Oreos?! No. No no no.

  • Reply
    The Little Blog of Beauty
    March 13, 2016 at 5:42 pm

    I’ve never done it myself but often see those ‘Has your mascara dried up? Put it in hot water/add this oil etc’. NO, throw it away!

    Becky @ The Little Blog of Beauty

  • Reply
    Christine
    March 20, 2016 at 4:05 pm

    Thanks for this post, very informative. I’ve seen those all over Pinterest, never tried but I’m sure a lot of people have.

    xx Christine

    chrissy-doll.blogspot.com

  • Reply
    Akansha Singh
    May 3, 2016 at 1:02 am

    wow so nice! You can get more fashion tips at : http://www.thefemall.in/
    http://www.thefemall.com/

  • Reply
    Bernadette
    January 10, 2017 at 10:09 pm

    Baking soda sounds harsh to use on the skin directly, biore does have a baking soda skincare line which I actually love.

    http://www.themakeupaficionado.com

    https://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/makeup-aficionado-14629679

    https://au.pinterest.com/bernadette_95/

    https://www.instagram.com/themakeupaficionado17/

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