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.

Try:
CoverGirl Queen Collection Eye Shadow Pot in Green Glimmer, $3.94
Laura Mercier Sateen Eyeshadow in Kir Royal, $23
M.A.C. Cosmetics Pigment in Heritage Rouge, $21

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.

Try:
Iman Sheer Finish Bronzing Powder, $16
Clinique True Bronze Pressed Powder Bronzer, $26
CoverGirl Queen Collection Natural Hue Bronzer, $9.49

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.

Try:
Nars Highlighting/Bronzing Blush Duo in Orgasm/Laguna, $41
Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge for Lips and Cheeks in Pink Rose, $26
M.A.C. Blush in Raizin, $21
Urban Decay Afterglow Glide on Cheek Tint in Fetish, $24

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."

Try:
Lancome Rouge in Love Lipstick in Delicate Lace, $8.50
Maybelline Color Sensational Lipcolor in Sin-A-Mon, $7.49
CoverGirl Queen Collection Lip Color in Nude Attitude, $5.94
bareMinerals Marvelous Moxie Lipgloss in Dreamer, $18

Reality: This spring, the pastel trend is moving from the closet to the makeup bag. For black women in particular, super-light pinks, blues, lavenders and whites risk making you look ashy and washed-out, so it's important to keep your undertones in mind when choosing a color.

If you have reddish undertones, try pinks and yellows; if you have yellow undertones, try blues and purples. If you skew neutral, pick peach-y shades. Be sure to prime your lids with a cream-based primer, like Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion, $12, to make the color appear more vivid. Lastly, Fine advises applying dark liner (in a complementary color or black) and mascara.

Try:
Black Opal Beauty Color Splurge Eye Shimmer in Racy Maven, $6.95
Urban Decay Eyeshadow in ABC Gum, $18
CoverGirl Flamed Out Shadow Pencils in Ice Flame, $4.89