8 Makeup Myths Exposed

In reality, there are tons of makeup "tips" out there without any validation behind them. Below are some of the most common makeup myths that many people have fallen victim to.
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There is no shortage of makeup advice these days. Everywhere you turn, self-proclaimed makeup experts are passing out advice on all the do's and don'ts of makeup application. In reality, there are tons of makeup "tips" out there without any validation behind them. Below are some of the most common makeup myths that many people have fallen victim to.

1) Darker foundations make you look tan: In reality, choosing a foundation that is too dark for your skin tone only makes you look like you chose the wrong foundation. For the best results always match your foundation to your natural skin color.

2) Makeup causes breakouts: False. Bad hygiene causes breakouts. Make sure your face is clean before applying makeup and never sleep with it on. Proper skin care is the foundation to flawless makeup application.

3) Pump your mascara for more product: This practice does not work and it is one of the worst makeup habits I have seen women have. Instead of pumping the mascara wand, try to twist it out of the tube. Pumping your mascara will introduce air into the tube, forcing in bacteria and causing it to become trapped. The inside of your mascara tube will become the perfect habitat for bacteria to survive and reproduce. This habit can lead to some nasty eye infections and can also cause the mascara to dry out and break down faster than it normally would. In order to practice safe mascara habits make sure you are replacing your mascara every 30 days.

4) Expensive cosmetics are better than inexpensive ones: The truth is, there are good and bad products in all price ranges. It really doesn't mean much to buy a $30 tube of lip-gloss. Most makeup stores allow you to test products before purchasing, and you should take advantage of this option whenever given the opportunity. Don't just look at the price tag and assume you are getting what you pay for.

5) Apply your concealer before your foundation: The opposite is actually true. By applying your foundation first you will already cover up most of your blemish areas. Concealer is for the stubborn areas that cannot be covered with foundation. You will find that you save a lot of time in your makeup application by applying your concealer after your foundation.

6) There is no need to clean your brushes if you are only using them on your own face: This falls into the category of proper hygiene. Brushes are a breeding ground for bacteria. You should be washing your brushes at least once a week. I don't use any cleaning products on my brushes that I wouldn't use to wash my own hair. Brushes are expensive and are certainly an investment. Proper brush care will also allow them to last for a long time. I have brushes that still look new after 15 years of using them.

7) Use an eyebrow pencil the exact color of your eyebrows: Matching your eyebrow color and filling them in will cause them to look harsh. Using a shade or two lighter than your eyebrow color will allow them to look more natural when you fill them in.

8) Waterproof mascara is better than regular mascara: This is wrong for so many reasons. Unless you are going to an event where you expect to be crying your eyes out, or dunking your entire head underwater, stay away from waterproof mascara. The main reason for this is that waterproof mascara is much more difficult to wash out than regular mascara. The actual actions of what it takes to properly remove it will cause you to pull out your eyelashes in the process. Every woman craves long, luxurious, thick lashes and can absolutely achieve that without waterproof mascara. In addition to this, do not sleep with your mascara on. This can lead to your eyelashes becoming brittle and prone to breakage. It can also cause some pretty gross infections in your eyes.

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