Some beauty decisions wash off in a night. Others take months to grow out or fade. A recent InStyle report asked celebrity makeup artists, manicurists, estheticians, and hairstylists which regrets they encounter most, and two stood out in the material we have: impulsively cut bangs and overdone injectables.
The common thread is speed. Trends move fast on TikTok, and cosmetic treatments are more mainstream than ever, which means appearance decisions get made quickly even when the consequences last. Below is a practical way to slow down just enough, without giving up the fun of changing your look.
Why These Regrets Happen
Both regrets share a pattern: a quick decision with a slow undo. You can wipe off a bold lipstick in seconds. You can't un-cut bangs, and you can't instantly reverse a treatment that went further than you wanted.
That's our read of the situation, not a rule from the experts, but it gives you a useful test. Before any beauty change, ask: how long would I live with this if I hated it? The longer the answer, the more planning it deserves.
Regret #1: Impulsively Cut Bangs
InStyle lists impulsively cut bangs among the regrets pros see often. The key word is impulsively. The problem isn't bangs; it's the spur-of-the-moment chop, whether it's a trend you saw that morning or a mood you're trying to shake.
A sleep-on-it routine for a big cut
- Wait before you book. Save the inspiration photo and look at it again after a few days. If you still love it, that's a good sign.
- Book a consultation first. Talk through the idea with your stylist before the scissors come out, rather than deciding in the chair.
- Try it without cutting. Pin your hair or use a styling trick to mimic the look for a day or two and see how it feels in your real routine.
- Think about daily upkeep. Ask yourself honestly whether you'll style it every morning and keep up with trims.
The point isn't to avoid change. It's to make sure the change is one you chose, not one you stumbled into.
Regret #2: Overdone Injectables
The second regret in the report is overdone injectables. Cosmetic treatments are increasingly mainstream, which makes them feel casual, but they're still medical-adjacent decisions that deserve a slower pace.
We don't have specific expert guidance from the source on dosing or technique, so we won't invent any. What you can do is use common-sense red flags to protect yourself:
- You feel rushed. A good appointment leaves room for questions. If you're being hurried toward a decision, pause.
- You can't say what you want. If your goal is vague, it's easy to end up with more than you intended. Define it first, in your own words.
- You're reacting to a trend. Treatments chosen because everyone online is getting them are more likely to be regretted than ones chosen for your own reasons.
- You haven't done your homework on the provider. Research who is performing the treatment and ask about their qualifications before you book.
If you're unsure, consider starting conservatively and talking with a qualified professional about what's realistic. Doing less first leaves you room to do more later, while the reverse is much harder.
A Three-Question Pause for Any Trend
This works for haircuts, treatments, nail shapes, and anything you saw on your feed:
- Is it reversible? If not, add waiting time.
- Is it for me or for the algorithm? Trends fade; your face and hair stay.
- Have I talked to a pro? A stylist, esthetician, or other qualified practitioner can tell you what suits your hair, skin, and lifestyle.
A 48-hour wait is a reasonable starting point for anything permanent or hard to undo. That timeline is our suggestion, not a figure from the experts, so adjust it to the size of the change.
Why This Is Healthy Living, Not Just Beauty
Feeling confident in how you look supports how you feel day to day. Choices made from panic, boredom, or comparison tend to leave you more anxious about your appearance, not less. Choices made with a little planning tend to feel like yours. Treating beauty decisions with the same patience you'd give any other self-care habit is a quiet form of mindfulness.
The Takeaway
Next time you feel the urge to chop, inject, or overhaul, save the idea, wait a couple of days, and talk to a trusted pro first. If you still want it, you'll go in with a plan, and that's the best protection against regret.
