12 Makeup Myths Everyone Really, Really Needs To Stop Believing

Time to burst all those bubbles.

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1. You only need to throw out your mascara when it starts to get clumpy.

@perrrrin / Via Twitter: @perrrrin

Sure, throw it out once clumpy, but also throw it out after three months regardless of its condition. Mascara is the easiest item to get an eye infection from. The wand gets very close to your eyes, and then goes back into the dark, warm tube – the perfect breeding ground for bacteria!

2. And pumping your mascara wand gets rid of clumps.

@Kym Yvonne / Via youtube.com

Pumping the wand actually makes your mascara drier, clumpier, and more flaky, as it simply introduces more air into the tube. More air also means more bacteria tends to become trapped inside.

3. It's totally fine to sleep with your makeup on.

@ashlee4L / Via Twitter: @ashlee4L

The main issue with sleeping with your makeup on is that the skin renews itself during sleep and makeup dramatically affects the skin's ability to do just that. This process is essential to keep the skin hydrated and fresh. Wearing makeup overnight clogs the pores and dehydrates the skin, and eye makeup left overnight can even lead to infections.

4. Makeup causes breakouts and acne.

@solteropassion / Via instagram.com

Not necessarily. Makeup products themselves aren't always the cause for reactions; a lot of the time it's due to bacteria-contaminated makeup (as a result of poor storage and a lack of cleanliness). To prevent breakouts as much as possible, you should wash your brushes and sponges often, throw out makeup past its use-by date, and never sleep with makeup on.

5. Makeup doesn't expire – it's good to use until it's finished.

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You might not realise it, but makeup products actually do have expiry dates – most have a shelf-life symbol printed on the product itself. As soon as you open a product, air and bacteria are introduced into it, meaning the countdown to its expiration begins.

6. You don't need to wash your brushes if you use them only on yourself.

@Nicole Guerriero / Via youtube.com

Bacteria doesn't care whether you just use your brushes or if other people do too. The fact of the matter is that your brushes come into contact with many surfaces and products. The longer you leave your brushes dirty, the more bacteria grows, which is not only bad for your skin but also bad for the longevity of your brushes.

7. Makeup doesn't get dirty, only brushes do.

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The scary reality is that makeup can go bad before its expiration date if you don't take care of it. Bacteria thrive in dark, warm places so makeup, particularly liquid products, is an ideal place for them. This, in conjunction with ineffective cleaning of tools like brushes, means that bacteria can grow faster than you'd expect.

8. It's A-OK to wear waterproof mascara all the time.

@ReadySetGlamour

If you don't need to wear waterproof mascara, it's suggested that you avoid it. The ingredients used in waterproof mascara formulas are drying, and it takes more effort to remove the mascara at the end of the day. This excessive rubbing and scrubbing at the lashes can make them weaker and more susceptible to breaking.

9. Moisturisers work as face primers.

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While both are hydrating, primers work to provide a base for your foundation, concealer, and other face products. Moisturisers serve to hydrate, and absorb into the skin whereas primers are designed to sit on top of the skin to provide a smooth base.

10. You can match your foundation to your wrist.

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Simply put, your wrists don't get as much sun as your face does. So while your foundation may match your wrist, your wrist isn't where you wear foundation. The best place to colour test is along your jawline, where the colour should blend into your skin.

11. You should definitely apply concealer before your foundation.

@LegatoGirlGlam / Via youtube.com

Actually, you should be applying your foundation before concealer! Foundation works to even out your skin tone, and to cover most blemishes. Concealer should be used as an after-measure, for those areas that are stubborn. This way you aren't putting more product on your face than you need to, meaning your makeup will look and feel less heavy.

12. And not everyone can wear red lipstick.

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This is 110% false. As cliché as it sounds, there is a red for everyone. It's really all about figuring out your undertone – cool, neutral, or warm. Each skin tone is different, and therefore no one single shade of red will suit every person. It is said that blue-reds suit cooler tones, and orange-reds are for warmer tones, with neutral tones falling between the two. Also, your hair and eye colours can affect what type of red lip suits you best.