I'm ashamed to admit this, but for most of my teen years, I didn't wear sunscreen. Not only would I skip the SPF, but my friends and I happily tossed the tanning oil to each other while joking: "Black don't crack!"

The belief that black women don't get age spots, wrinkles, or skin cancer from sun damage was just one of many African-American beauty myths that I lived by. That is, until I become a beauty editor.

Skip ahead to see the 5 biggest African-American beauty myths now.

Spending every day talking to top beauty experts is the quickest way to suss out African-American beauty fact from fiction, and I quickly discovered that "rules" like dark-skinned women can't wear neon makeup, blonde hair never looks natural on us, or nude lipstick never complements our skin tone are totally bogus.

So, to put an end to these African-American beauty myths once and for all, I chatted with some of the top experts in the field of black hair, makeup, and skin care to get the low down on the biggest African-American beauty misconceptions.

Keep reading to see which "rules" you need to start breaking, too.

One look at beautiful celebs like Halle Berry, Iman, and Vanessa Williams and it's easy to understand how the expression "black don't crack" has stayed around for so long.

"Most women of African descent do not develop as many fine lines or sunspots as most Caucasian women do," says Philadelphia-based dermatologist Susan Taylor, MD. "However, that does not mean the added melanin in our skin completely protects us from the sun. Black women can get sunburned!"

While treating sunburns may not top the skin care concerns for most African-Americans, getting rid of dark marks does. "Uneven skin tone is a common result of sun damage," says Taylor. "Also, many black woman are often on medications for high blood pressure or diabetes, which make you more susceptible to burn or develop darkened blemishes."

Sure, Beyonce's blonde hair looks gorgeous -- but pulling off the Goldilocks style is impossible for most black women, right? Wrong. Oprah Winfrey's longtime hairstylist Andre Walker says creating a natural blonde look is simple if you know how to dye your hair blonde.

"The first step for anyone planning a hair color change is to figure out the undertones of your skin tone," says Walker. "The majority of African-American women have warm undertones, so it's important to go with honey or strawberry blonde hues that complement these golden undertones." Walker also suggests steering clear of cool shades, such as ash blonds and platinum. No matter your skin tone, mixing in the blonde color with your natural hair color is key. Opt for lots of highlights, which blend better with your natural color base.

Of course we all know there's no universal skin tone (remember when Crayola debuted a "flesh" color and there was a huge backlash?), but that doesn't mean all makeup companies are up to date on the new standard of beauty. If you're having trouble finding nude makeup that complements your complexion, you're probably looking in the wrong section.

"Selecting the perfect nude product is all about customizing it for you," says Mary Kay makeup artist Ashunta Sheriff (her clients include Alicia Keys and Rihanna). "Just because it's labeled 'nude' doesn't mean it will work for you."

The toughest nude-colored pick for African-American women? Lipstick. "Many women of color have strong natural pigments in their lips," says Sheriff. "These browns, pinks, or purples will show through sheer nude tints." To create a naked lip look, stay away from beige tones and opt for peachy tints, which will color correct and neutralize the lip's darker colors. Sheriff also suggests applying a bit of concealer over the lips to mute the lip color before layering on a champagne or latte-colored lip gloss.

Statement looks can be scary. Swiping on a hot pink shadow on a darker complexion will surely create a bolder effect than on a paler-skinned woman. This instant wow-effect can be intimating -- but only if it isn't properly balanced. Women with dark skin can pull off neon makeup colors really well because the contrast of the makeup against the skin tone intensifies the pigment, says Sheriff. "However, moderation is key when it comes to bold makeup, no matter what shade your complexion is." To tone down the contrast, Sheriff suggests focusing on one feature at a time and keeping the rest of the face neutral. And remember, just because it's loud doesn't mean you can't wear it well.