Hey there! I’m Elliott, and today we’re diving into some common misconceptions about makeup. If you’re feeling a bit lost, don’t worry—I’m here to clear things up for you!
Many people think it’s a good idea to test foundation on their hand, but that’s not the best spot. Your hands and face usually get different amounts of sun, so they might not be the same color. A better place to test foundation is on your neck or jawline. This way, you’ll find a shade that matches your face perfectly!
Acne isn’t just a teenage problem. In fact, about 80% of people between 11 and 30 experience acne at some point. Some folks even get acne for the first time in their 30s or 40s, and older people can have breakouts too. So, it’s not something you necessarily outgrow.
It’s important to clean your makeup brushes more often than every few months. Many experts suggest doing it every week. Some say once a month is okay, but don’t wait too long. Bacteria can build up in the bristles and lead to breakouts. To clean them, just dip your brush in a bowl of warm water and shampoo, then let it dry.
You might have heard people say, “Let your skin breathe!” But skin doesn’t actually breathe. What they usually mean is to remove your makeup or use products that don’t clog your pores, known as non-comedogenic products. While clogged pores aren’t great, they aren’t suffocating your skin.
Some believe using a darker foundation will make you look tan, but it often just looks like you’re wearing the wrong shade. It’s better to find a foundation that matches your skin tone for a more natural look.
Regular soap isn’t the best choice for your face. Experts recommend using products specifically made for facial cleansing. Soap can strip away protective oils, leading to rashes and irritation. So, stick to facial cleansers for healthy skin.
Using Preparation H for puffy eyes might not be a good idea. It can cause dryness or irritation around the eyes. While it used to have an ingredient that reduced puffiness, that ingredient is no longer in the Preparation H sold in the U.S.
Believe it or not, men do wear makeup! A recent survey found that men spend around $160 a month on grooming products, including makeup. The men’s personal care industry is worth $3.9 billion and is growing fast.
Pumping your mascara wand isn’t a good idea. It introduces air, which can dry out your mascara and cause more clumps. Instead, try swirling the brush around or wiping it with a paper towel.
Popping a pimple can actually make things worse. It can spread bacteria to other parts of your face, and bacteria from your fingers can infect the pimple. It’s best to leave pimples alone and let them heal naturally.
Thanks for joining me on this journey to debunk makeup myths! If you have any topics you’d like to see in future episodes, leave a comment, and we’ll check them out. See you next time!
Try testing different foundation shades on your neck or jawline instead of your hand. Take note of how each shade blends with your skin tone. Share your findings with the class and discuss why the neck or jawline is a better spot for testing.
Research the causes of acne and present your findings to the class. Discuss why acne can occur at any age and share tips for managing it. This will help you understand that acne isn’t just a teenage issue.
Bring your makeup brushes to class and learn how to clean them properly. Use warm water and shampoo, and observe how much cleaner they become. Discuss the importance of regular cleaning to prevent bacteria buildup.
Investigate different facial cleansers and compare them to regular soap. Create a presentation on why facial cleansers are better for your skin. This will help you understand the importance of using the right products for skin health.
Engage in a class debate about the misconception that men do not wear makeup. Research the growing men’s personal care industry and discuss how societal views on makeup and gender roles are changing.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the YouTube transcript:
—
Hi, I’m Elliott. This is Mental Floss on YouTube, and today I’m going to talk to you about some misconceptions about makeup, so if you’re confused, don’t worry: I’m here to help.
**Misconception #1: Test your foundation on your hand.**
Even though I’m telling you not to do this, I’m going to demonstrate why you shouldn’t. Typically, your hands and face get different amounts of sun, so they’re likely to be different colors. A better place to test foundation would be your neck or jawline. See? This matches my hand but not my face!
**Misconception #2: You outgrow acne.**
Around 80% of people between the ages of 11 and 30 experience acne at some point. Some people get acne for the first time in their 30s or 40s, and even older individuals can have breakouts.
**Misconception #3: Clean makeup brushes every few months.**
Many experts insist that you clean your brushes every week. Some claim that you can do it once a month, but you don’t want to wait much longer than that. There’s bacteria just sitting in those bristles, and these can contribute to breakouts. All you need to do is dab your brush in a bowl of warm water and shampoo, and then let it dry.
**Misconception #4: Your skin breathes.**
You’ve probably heard the phrase, “Let your skin breathe!” But skin doesn’t actually breathe. In this context, people are usually encouraging you to remove your makeup or try a product that doesn’t clog your pores, known as non-comedogenic products. Clogged pores aren’t great, but they aren’t suffocating your skin.
**Misconception #5: Use a darker foundation than your skin tone.**
Some people say that this will make you look tan, but it will probably just look like you’re using a foundation that’s darker than your skin tone, which can look unflattering.
**Misconception #6: Washing your face with soap keeps it healthy.**
Experts recommend using products specifically designed to cleanse your face. Scrubbing your face with regular soap can remove protective oils, increasing the risk of rashes and irritation.
**Misconception #7: Preparation H helps with puffy eyes.**
This can be counterproductive, as Preparation H might cause dryness or irritation around the eyes. While it once contained an ingredient that may have decreased puffiness, that ingredient is no longer found in the Preparation H sold in the U.S.
**Misconception #8: Men do not wear makeup.**
A recent survey found that men spend around $160 a month on grooming products, including makeup. The men’s personal care products industry is now worth $3.9 billion and is expected to grow significantly.
**Misconception #9: Pump mascara to get rid of clumps.**
Don’t do this! Pumping introduces air, which can dry out your mascara faster and actually cause more clumps. Instead, swirl the brush around or wipe it down with a paper towel.
**Misconception #10: Popping a pimple is helpful.**
When you pop a pimple, two things can happen that make the situation worse. First, bacteria from the pimple can spread to other areas of your face. Second, any bacteria on your fingers can come into contact with the pimple, potentially making it worse or causing an infection.
Thanks for watching Misconceptions on Mental Floss on YouTube, made with the help of all these wonderful people. If you have a topic for an upcoming episode that you would like to see, leave it in the comments, and we’ll check them out. I’ll see you next week, bye!
—
Let me know if you need any further modifications!
Makeup – Cosmetic products applied to the face to enhance or alter appearance. – Many teenagers use makeup to cover up blemishes and feel more confident about their skin.
Acne – A skin condition characterized by red pimples, often occurring during adolescence due to hormonal changes. – Regular cleansing and a balanced diet can help reduce acne in teenagers.
Brushes – Tools with bristles used for applying makeup or cleaning the skin. – It’s important to clean makeup brushes regularly to prevent bacteria buildup.
Skin – The outer layer of the body that protects internal organs and regulates temperature. – Keeping your skin hydrated is essential for maintaining its health and elasticity.
Foundation – A cosmetic product used to create an even skin tone and cover imperfections. – Choosing the right shade of foundation is crucial for a natural look.
Soap – A substance used with water for washing and cleaning, often made from natural fats and oils. – Using a mild soap can help prevent skin irritation and dryness.
Eyes – Organs of vision that detect light and allow us to see. – Protecting your eyes from harmful UV rays is important for long-term eye health.
Men – Adult human males, who also need to care for their skin and health. – Many men are now using skincare products to maintain healthy skin.
Bacteria – Microscopic organisms that can be beneficial or harmful to health. – Good hygiene practices can help reduce the spread of harmful bacteria.
Cleansing – The process of cleaning the skin to remove dirt, oil, and impurities. – Cleansing your face twice a day can help keep your skin clear and healthy.
