Home » Beauty

Bad Beauty Advice: Skip These Outdated Makeup and Skincare Tips

Why following old-school beauty advice may harm your skin, hair, and style—with simple do’s and don’ts every woman should know

By Medha deb

Created on Oct 3, 2025

Why following old-school beauty advice may harm your skin, hair, and style—with simple do’s and don’ts every woman should know

From your first attempt with eye shadow to mastering your perfect winged liner, beauty tutorials and tips have shaped the routines of generations. Yet for every slice of true genius in makeup lore, there’s a myth or trick from another era that just doesnt hold up under modern scrutiny. With the rise of social media and beauty blogging, the pressure to try every “hack” can be overwhelming—but some advice is best left in the past.

Here’s a detailed look at seven beauty blunders that keep popping up, why you should rethink them, and what to do instead for your best skin, brows, lips, hair, and eyelashes.

1. Line Your Lips with a Pencil That’s a Shade Darker Than Your Lipstick

This trick was everywhere in the ’90s. The idea was to define your lips into something more dramatic, but the result often looked harsh, dated, and cartoony. The issue? The visible contrast on your lip line was not a great look—unless you were aiming for a retro Halloween costume.

Avoid: Using lip liner that’s visibly darker than your lipstick, especially if it ends up outside your natural lip line.
Try: Matching your liner exactly to your lipstick shade or using a universal liner that works with most shades. For a bold, lasting finish, fill in your lips entirely with liner before applying lipstick—this enhances color and helps prevent feathering.

2. Shave and Redraw Your Eyebrows

In the past, some beauty fans suggested shaving off your natural brows and drawing new ones in pencil, inspired by Hollywood’s early stars. But let’s be real—this is a recipe for daily frustration.

Avoid: Shaving off your brows unless you want to deal with stubble, uneven regrowth, and the daily hassle of perfect penciling.
Try: Embracing your natural brow shape. Use products like microblading, tinted gels, or pomades to fill sparse areas, but let your real brows shine. For a fuller effect, invest in professional grooming or semipermanent options like microblading.

3. Heat Up Your Eyelash Curler with a Hair Dryer

This “hack” promises a mega-curl with less effort. The idea was to warm up the curler with a hair dryer before clamping your lashes—similar to a hot roller. But the risks far outweigh the benefits.

Avoid: Warming up your curler with a hair dryer. The risk of burning your eyelids or lashes is real, and heated tools can damage lash hair just like they can fry your strands.
Try: Using your curler at room temperature, then layer on a coating or two of a curling mascara. For a more lasting effect, consider a professional lash lift.

4. Skip Moisturizer If You Have Oily Skin

This myth is rooted in the idea that adding moisture to oily skin will make it even oilier. But science tells us the opposite: dehydrated skin can overproduce oil to compensate, leading to a vicious cycle of shine and shine.

Avoid: Skipping hydration. Even oily skin types need moisture.
Try: Using a lightweight, oil-free, or gel-based moisturizer designed for oily or combination skin. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which plumps without greasiness.

Check out your favorite dermatologist’s recommendations—many now advocate for daily hydration for all skin types.

5. Redheads Shouldn’t Wear Red Lipstick

For decades, redheads were told red lipstick would clash with their hair. Fashion and beauty manuals suggested muted pinks or nudes as the only “safe” options. But the rules of style are made to be rewritten.

Avoid: Believing your hair color dictates your makeup choices.
Try: Wearing whatever shade makes you feel powerful—whether it’s electric blue, classic red, or vampy plum. If you love red, opt for a hue that echoes your hair tone, or go bold with a statement color. Confidence is the best accessory.

6. The More You Exfoliate, the Better Your Skin

Scrubbing your skin into submission was once considered the only way to achieve a smooth, clear complexion. But overzealous exfoliation can strip your skin barrier, leading to irritation, redness, and breakouts.

Avoid: Using harsh scrubs or exfoliating acids more than twice a week, especially if you have sensitive or mature skin.
Try: Gentle chemical exfoliants like AHAs and BHAs, which dissolve dead skin without friction. Listen to your skin—if it feels tight or raw, cut back.

7. Sunscreen Is Only for Sunny Days

Skipping sunscreen unless you’re at the beach is a dangerous habit. UV rays penetrate clouds and windows, and daily, year-round sunscreen use is the best way to prevent premature aging and skin cancer.

Avoid: Treating sunscreen as a summer-only product.
Try: Applying a broad-spectrum SPF every morning, even when it’s cloudy or you’re indoors. Look for lightweight, non-greasy formulas you’ll actually use daily.

Other Outdated Beauty Myths

While those seven tips get the most attention, beauty myths abound. For example:

Sleeping in your makeup: Never a good idea—your skin repairs itself at night, and makeup residue can clog pores.
Toothpaste to zap zits: This can burn and irritate your skin—try benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid instead.
Plucking gray hair makes more grow back: Plucking can damage follicles but won’t affect pigment.

The Science of Bad Beauty Advice

Why do these myths stick around? Often, they’re passed down by word of mouth or promoted by celebrities before the science catches up. But today, dermatologists and cosmetic chemists have debunked many of them, proving that informed routines based on your skin type and personal needs are the real secret to healthy, glowing skin.

Social media influencers and beauty bloggers sometimes amplify questionable advice—but remember, content creators are often sharing personal experience, not professional expertise. Before trying anything drastic, consult a dermatologist or trusted expert.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I trust beauty bloggers for skincare advice?

Many beauty bloggers share personal routines and product reviews, but they’re often not dermatologists or licensed professionals. Use their tips as inspiration but always vet new routines with a qualified expert, especially for skincare or medical concerns.

Are old-school makeup tricks always bad?

Not always—some classic tips (like setting powder or contouring) still work. But trends change, and what looked good decades ago might seem outdated now. If a tip feels off or too harsh, skip it.

Why do some beauty myths persist?

Myths often sound plausible and get passed along without evidence. Social media and magazines can amplify bad advice before experts correct it.

How can I spot bad beauty advice?

Watch for claims that promise instant miracles, tips that sound painful or extreme, or products that are unregulated or unsupported by science. Check sources—if a tip is only promoted by influencers and not by professionals, be skeptical.

Conclusion

Beauty trends and advice evolve as science and experts learn more about what’s best for your skin, hair, and style. The key is to question old assumptions, listen to your skin, and embrace what makes you feel your most confident. Ditch the outdated myths, check facts with professionals, and build a routine that celebrates your unique beauty.

References

Author

medha deb

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

Read full bio of medha deb