Blondes can't wear yellow, shorties can't wear maxi dresses, white ensembles look tacky after Labor Day. Well-meaning fashion rules like these shouldn't always be taken as fact. You just have to know how to wear them. Likewise, similar myths exist in the makeup world, especially with regard to women of color. "Nude lip colors never work," "Bright eye shadows look tacky" ... you get the picture. But giving into dated rules means you miss out on all the fun, and if there's anything we've learned, it's that rules are meant to be broken.
We enlisted the help of makeup guru Sam Fine, (who has worked with Queen Latifah, Jennifer Hudson and Naomi Campbell, to name a few) to put these myths to rest once and for all. "There are no rules or regulations to beauty!" says Fine. "At the end of the day, it all washes off, so why not have a little fun?" We agree. Click ahead to see the most persistent myths about makeup for dark skin -- and how to break the rules stylishly.
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Myth: Smoky eyes can only be dark
Reality: Yes, smoke tends to take on a dark gray or black hue, but just because your skin is dark doesn't mean you have to narrow your shadow options to match. "A smoky eye is a technique, not a color -- any color can be used," Fine says. Look for richly pigmented or bright (yes, bright!) eye shadows that won't require millions of coats to show up. Try creating your next smoky eye in a deep burgundy or brown with peach undertones, which look stunning against dark skin tones, or rich greens and purples, which bring out brown eyes.
Reality: Women with darker skin tones tend to shy away from bronzer for the same reason they tend to skip sunscreen: What's the point if you've already got a rich, brown skin tone? A quality bronzer is less of a necessity than SPF, but when used properly, it can really enhance your look.
To get a beautiful, earthy glow, choose a bronzer that is one shade darker than your skin tone, says Fine. Pick one with a sheer finish; matte can look cake-y on the skin. Then, use a large powder brush to apply it close to the hairline, gently sweeping it onto cheeks in place of blush-- you'll quickly see why this product is a winning addition to your makeup bag.
Myth: Blush doesn't show up, and if it does, it looks unnatural
Reality: "I understand where a myth like this originates because women of color don't blush or flush in the same way Caucasians do," says Fine. The important factor in breaking this rule is knowing which blushes to look for when you're shopping. Fine says to look for formulas that contain rich pigment -- you want to ensure the color will show up on your skin with minimal product. Next, look for deep rose and brick shades. Shades that are too light will make you look washed out. If these dark hues scare you, try mixing your blush with bronzer for a subtler flush of color.
Myth: Nude-colored products never work -- especially nude lipstick
Reality: Nude lips are one of this season's hottest trends. Just pick up a tube of lipstick labeled "nude" and you're good to go, right? Wrong. Products categorized as "nude" and "naked" are meant to mimic the natural color of lighter skin tones. To avoid looking like you're severly dehydrated, you should look for nude shades with rose undertones and utilize other lip products in your makeup bag, says Fine. "Nude shades worn without liner or gloss can get lost on brown skin, so always begin with a brown liner to add definition to lips, then dab with a cocoa gloss to make it come alive."
