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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"For longer-lasting fake lashes, use hair extension glue."
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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"You don't need moisturizer if you have oily skin."
Of all the advice out there, Wilson says this one is the most dangerous to take to heart. She says one of the most frequent misunderstandings about skin health is that the oil our pores produce is considered moisturizer. Thus, if you're someone who has an overly oily skin type, you don't need to use a go-to formula each morning. The opposite is actually true. "Most people with oily skin actually have dehydrated skin, which is why your oil glands are working overtime," Wilson says. "If you have oily skin, do yourself a favor and get an amazing oil-free moisturizer and add it into your daily routine ASAP." This will help protect you against aging, as well as keep your pores healthy and vibrant.
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"Add oil or water to your mascara if it's getting old."
Like that milk in the back of your fridge or a yogurt that's two weeks past its prime, when a makeup product has expired, throw it out. Even though you might want to extend the life of your favorite mascara by adding oil or water, Ferdous says it's not a smart or healthy solution. If you add oil — you guessed it! — it'll be oily, creating more smears and zero wear time. And if you add water, she says you risk a super-runny formula that will make you look like you've been crying for hours. "It's not hygienic anyway, so throw it out and go grab a new one."
