Forget about the models who have sworn by the remedy for decades, makeup artist and hairstylist Jules Annen says Preparation H has no place under your eyes. Even the manufacturer warns that the cream should not be used for anything other than what is listed on the label. "The present-day Preparation H Ointment no longer contains 'live yeast cell extract' which was once known to reduce swelling," Annen says. "The current active ingredients, such as phenylephrine, shark liver oil and hydrocortisone do have anti-inflammatory properties, soothing and healing properties — but for your toosh, not your face!" Instead, use a jade beauty roller and an undereye gel recommended by your dermatologist to fight puffiness.

Makeup artist and owner of the beauty concierge service B Beautiful B Wilson says concealer is an area where plenty of advice gets thrown around — most of which isn't useful. One of the most common misconceptions is using a concealer that's two shades lighter to hide dark circles. Though it might make sense on the surface — no pun intended — Wilson says not all undereye circles are created equal and if you use this trick, you could end up looking grey or green under your baby blues (or greens or browns). "Most undereye discoloration requires some type of orange to salmon or pink corrector shade prior to using a concealer in your shade range to brighten or highlight," she says. Your best tactic for appearing like you reaped shut-eye is to stop by a beauty counter to get advice on your specific pigmentation and needs.

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Makeup artist and beauty editor Naowshaba Ferdous says a client once credited bar soap as the reason her skin was flawless. It might seem easy to double-up what you use on your body to get rid of makeup at night, but Ferdous says this is not a smart idea for your pores on many levels. The most obvious reason is found in the ingredients. "Bar soap is generally made for our body skin which is usually less sensitive. Not only is bar soap way too harsh for the pH balance of your skin, but it also dries it out like crazy, leading to uncomfortable tightness, peeling/flakiness and premature wrinkles," she says. Instead, try a gentle face cleanser appropriate for your skin concerns, or talk to a dermatologist if you're breaking out.

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As the final step in most makeup routines, an artist might spritz a bit of setting spray to keep everything manicured and polished. This helps prevent mascara or liquid eyeshadow from running and adds a dewy-appearance to your face. Porter says sometimes folks will use hairspray at home, which might appear to do the same trick, but actually can be dangerous for your pores. "Hairspray contains alcohols and lacquers that will dry your skin out terribly and clog your pores. The propellant can also irritate your skin, leaving you with redness and bumps," she says. Just think of how your hair feels when you use a hairspray: somewhat hard and crunchy, right? This makes it a no-brainer to not use on your skin.

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Yikes! What's meant for the hair on your head isn't appropriate for the hair on your eyelids, Wilson says. First and foremost, this is a bad idea because it isn't safe for your sensitive eyes, which could become damaged or infected if a smudge of glue gets inside. Wilson reminds fake eyelash lovers that they aren't meant to be worn more than a day. "I know the packaging states that it's good for several wears, which is true, but that actually means you are supposed to take them off at the end of the night, give them a cleaning and save for another day," she says. In addition to hygienic reasons, most hair extension glues contain latex, rubber and black hair dye as the main ingredient. "Most people happen to be allergic to at least one of the three ingredients. So do yourself a favor: if you really want long-lasting lashes, ditch the hair glue and get eyelash extensions done by a professional."

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