Debunking Makeup Myths: 9 Things You Need To Know About Your Beauty Routine

My mom was never really into makeup when I was a little girl, so when I started getting interested in all the glittery and glossy products, I pretty much learned by ear.

That meant copying a lot of things from magazines and my friends at school. I would definitely like to go back in time and undo some of my more questionable decisions — like using a milky white gel pen as eyeliner, a huge trend at my middle school — but I'm glad I haven't had to endure any of the nastier results from improper use of products. Sure, my eighth grade yearbook will always be there to haunt me, but at least I was lucky enough to not have anything send me to the nurse's office.

There are some big myths that get passed around about makeup that are simply not true and could cause some serious damage to your precious skin. Scroll through below to see these myths finally dispelled.

Be sure to SHARE these surprising beauty facts with your friends and let us know in the comments if we missed anything!

Featured Images: Flickr / Pieces of the Past – Beauty BroadcastTwitter / defectedmelody

1. More expensive products are not always better

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Pinterest / kiara shardé

Sure, some of the fancy options will go the extra mile with their pricey ingredients, but that isn’t always a good thing. You should always test it out in the store before laying down the big bucks.

2. Keep the expiration date in mind

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Pinterest / Paint and Powder Cosmetics

Contrary to popular belief, makeup does not last forever. You can find a small symbol telling you how many months the product will stay fresh — after that, you're in danger of swiping icky bacteria onto your face along with your eyeshadow. There's even the potential for mold!

3. Pumping your mascara wand can dry it out

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Pinterest / Suzanne Patterson

It can also open up air pockets for bacteria to seep in and cause a nasty infection in your eyes called conjunctivitis, which is a pretty tough look to pull off (not to mention painful).

4. Waterproof mascara shouldn't be worn all the time

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Pinterest / Suzanne Patterson

The durable version of your favorite mascara is better left for special occasions. Because they're all so good at their job, they're usually more difficult to remove which can cause your lashes to break.

5. Your products can still get dirty in your makeup bag

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Pinterest / Marcy Boles

Again, bacteria just loves to find its way into all of your eyeshadows, lipsticks, and anything else you might have crammed in there. So be sure to examine everything before applying to your skin.

6. Wearing makeup during the day won't make you break out

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Pinterest / Shari Copeland

What really clogs up your pores is forgetting to take the products off before falling asleep at night and allowing it to really settle in and gunk up your complexion.

7. Your wrist is not a foundation match for your face

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Pinterest / Nesster

The only match for your face is, well, your face! More specifically, you should test out the shades on your jawline to be sure they blend well with your neck, too.

8. Put your concealer on after your foundation

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Pinterest / Kat Baylor

Most people assume it's the other way around, but that only leads to layering way more products on your face than you actually need. Concealer can be used more sparingly in problem areas as need be.

9. Don't dab your concealer under your eyes in dots

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Flickr / Nesster

Instead, form an upside-down triangle over your dark circles and gently blend it in above your cheekbones with a clean brush or sponge.

I have definitely made plenty of makeup mistakes in the past. Did we miss any of your best tips for beauty? Be sure to SHARE with your friends and let us know in the comments!