Beauty Myths, Debunked

Nowadays there are so many commonly held beauty beliefs floating around that it’s hard to keep track of what is true and what is completely bogus. Today I thought we’d go over 10 popular beauty myths and tips we’ve heard over the years and demystify which ones are factual and which ones are just plain wrong. Check them out below and let us know which myths your guilty of too!

1. It’s wrong to pluck above your eyebrows. False! So many girls think that you can only pluck below the brow and that couldn’t be further from the truth. Sometimes you can achieve the best shape for your face by plucking above the brow.
2. You only need SPF when it’s sunny. False. Wearing sunscreen year-round is a must.
3. Crossing your legs will cause spider veins. False! Actually extended standing can cause varicose or spider veins. Usually though, this is something that has a genetic predisposition.
4. Oily skin doesn’t need hydration. False! Even though your skin might seem hydrated because it is oily, that is not the case at all. Moisturizing is essential for maintaining a healthy complexion. If you have oily skin, just be sure to steer clear of oil-based moisturizers and opt for oil-free or water-based ones.
5. Wearing nail polish 24/7 will turn your nails yellow. True! Every few months, take a break from the polish or else your nails will start looking a little yellowish. No thank you!
6. There’s no way to get rid of cellulite. True. Some say that finding a true cure is like the holy grail of dermatology. Sadly nothing can be done to fully get rid of it—not creams, not even liposuction. There are temporary fixes (getting a tan to conceal it or using creams with caffeine), but at the end of the day it’s just something we all have to deal with (or get over).
7. You should wash your hair everyday. False! Your hair relies on the natural oils it produces to keep it healthy, strong, and shiny. Washing your hair excessively can strip your scalp of these important nutrients causing dry, brittle, damaged hair (that won’t grow). If you ask us, the less you wash, the better. I usually try to wash my hair only 3 or 4 times a week (workouts permitting).
8. Shaving makes your hair grow back darker and thicker. False. When your hair first grows out it looks thicker and darker because hair is widest at its base when it is cut. So really, shaving doesn’t change the thickness or color of your hair.
9. It’s possible to shrink your pores. False. Like cellulite, this is another incurable beauty ailment. Luckily there are ways to reduce the appearance. Try using egg whites. We know it sounds odd but they tighten the skin, which gives the illusion of smaller pores. This is a temporary fix, but a nice trick all the same.
10. 100 brushes a day will make your hair shine. False. Whoever came up with this old Wives Tale was a bit overzealous. If you brushed your hair 100 strokes a day, you’d be doing way more damage than good. However light brushing can be really good for you since it stimulates circulation to the scalp, helping to nourish your strands and even promote growth.

There you have it. We love hearing all about the crazy beauty myths that are floating around, don’t you?