10 Beauty Rules Experts Say Should Never Be Broken

To keep hair, skin and makeup on point.

By Brittany Burhop Fallon, Beauty Director · Published: Mar 20, 2018

beautyrulesmain — Photo Credits: Hrecheniuk Oleksii/ Shutterstock | Model Used for Illustrative Purpose Only

When it comes to beauty, achieving a flawless aesthetic isn’t solely tied to having great skin, makeup or hair. We could go out with a perfectly piecey, Blake Lively–esque braid, but if our skin is dry and flaky or riddled with blemishes or redness, it probably isn’t translating the way we had hoped. Same goes for the reverse. That’s why beauty experts—whether they’re hairstylists, makeup artists or skin care gurus—agree there are certain universal rules that should never be broken. Here are 10 to keep in mind.

1 / 10

“Always set your concealer with a translucent powder. This will ensure your concealer stays put throughout the day and prevent any creasing under your eyes.”

—Celebrity makeup artist Angel Merino

2 / 10

“Always get a trim, even when you’re growing your hair out, to keep your ends from splitting. A light dusting—at least every 8–10 weeks—when growing your hair out will keep your hair healthier and longer in the end rather than skipping a trim altogether.”

—Keratin Complex stylist ambassador Jesse German

3 / 10

“Never dip your fingers into products that come in jars, such as moisturizers or foundations. Use the spatula/applicator provided or a cotton tip. Fingers can introduce bacteria into your product and cause cross-contamination, which can be especially problematic in ‘natural’ products that claim to have no preservatives, thus hastening their expiry.”

—Makeup artist Justine Purdue

4 / 10

“Ditch the dirt! Cleansing and toning aren’t 100 percent effective if you don’t get ALL of the dirt off of your face. I learned this the hard way as a teenager who wore too much makeup. Now, while I no longer wear so much makeup, I don’t go to bed without first using a gentle yet effective cleanser and a toner. I don’t stop toning until I don’t see any more dirt on the pad. I also make sure to use a gentle cleanser in the morning to start my skin off at its best (and cleanest)—your pillowcase isn’t as clean as it looks.”

—Founder of Skin Laundry, Yen Reis

5 / 10

“Bleaching your hair at home is never a good idea. It takes skill, technique and knowledge, so it’s definitely best to leave that to a professional!”

—Celebrity hairstylist and Warren-Tricomi creative director Marc Mena

6 / 10

“Always prep your skin before makeup, whether it is with a moisturizer, oil or gel. No foundation or makeup will look great if your skin is dry and flaky.”

—Celebrity makeup artist Patrick Ta

7 / 10

“Dry your hair 100 percent before applying any heat tools. When water is left in your hair and heated strongly, it expands rapidly. Because it’s confined in the cortex by the cuticle, it has to burst out, which can cause permanent damage to your hair.”

—Celebrity hairstylist Sunnie Brook

8 / 10

“Always wear sunscreen. Sun damage is the biggest cause of premature aging to our skin, and unfortunately, visible signs don’t start appear until later. For most women it becomes noticeable in their 30s, but by then, most of the damage is already done.”

—Justine Purdue

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9 / 10

“Always have your stylist add a bond rebuilder (I like Keratin Complex Vitalshot) to your lightener or bleach when going blond! This prevents the bonds in your hair from breaking down and snapping.”

—Jesse German