STYLE

We’ve all heard strange beauty advice and wondered if it was really true (like the old “dab some toothpaste on a zit” thing). Stress no more, babes, because here are the facts about odd beauty rituals.

Myth: Shaving your legs causes hair to grow back thicker

Fact: When you shave your legs, the hair that grows back is short and stubby, which makes it appear thicker. In reality, your leg hair is the same thickness it was before, but because the finer ends have been shaved off, you see the wider root left behind.

Myth: Makeup never expires

Fact: Different kinds of makeup have different shelf lives, but in general, the more liquid something is, the shorter its lifetime. You should only keep mascara for four months, but foundation can last up to six. Powder makeup, pencil eyeliner and lip gloss last the longest at two years. Make sure you keep a mental note of when you bought your face paint, OK?

Myth: Dabbing toothpaste on a zit will clear your skin

Fact: This one’s sort of true, because the toothpaste will dry out a pimple. But the toothpaste also dries out the skin surrounding the blemish, so it’s better to stick with an actual zit-treating product. And, don’t forget the moisturizer.

Myth: My skin is oily so I don’t need to use moisturizer

Fact: Actually, the reason your skin is oily might be because you don’t use a moisturizer. When skin is not properly moisturized, it produces more oil to make up for the dryness. Invest in one with SPF ­– UV radiation is bad for your skin, even in fall.

Myth: Chocolate and other greasy foods cause acne

Fact: There is no evidence that bad-for-you foods are responsible for acne, so don’t stress too much on this one. But if you notice that it triggers acne on your bod, cut out the junk food for a little and see if it changes. That said, veggies do make your skin glow!

Myth: My besties and I can share makeup

Fact: Even if you’re friends don’t look sick, there’s just too much bacteria buildup on makeup brushes that could be transferred to you – totally not worth it! If you must try your BFF’s new eye shadow, at least use your own brush. It’s still not the best option, but it’s much better than using her applicator.

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