The 5 Beauty Rules You Need To Break

They say rules are meant to be broken, and the beauty world is no exception. When you start researching the dos and don’ts of primping, you discover that while some rules can be useful and even vital (ahem, daily SPF…), others may be setting you back. Whether it’s covering up a blemish with an unexpected tool or going against once-perennial hair commandments, we asked five beauty experts to give us the lowdown on the beauty vows we should start to break. It’s time to release your inner beauty rebel.

Rule to Break #1: Sectioning and contouring the face

Contouring was a big deal in the beauty for a while (thanks to a certain Kardashian…), with its face sculpting effect and seemingly flawless finish. It was less ‘I woke up like this’ and more ‘I have been photo-shopped like this’. But makeup master, Alphie Sadsad, believes the contour movement is officially out, declaring he is over faux cheekbones. “It is so over the top that people do it really wrong – there is a time and place for it and basically right now contouring isn’t necessarily in,” he says. Namely, we’re now making a conscious effort to revert back to a more natural look instead. “Enhance your natural beauty, rather than trying to change it. Contouring should be a no-go zone.”

Rule to Break #2: Always playing it safe with products

We all tend to unconsciously stay within our comfort zones when it comes to makeup, and buy products accordingly. But, getting out of your makeup rut just requires a little thinking outside the square, or palette, of your beauty product repertoire. As MAC Senior Makeup Artist Carol Mackie outlines, sometimes it is better to be a rule breaker, rather than a rule maker. “Is there a rule? For me there’s never any rules,” she says. “Wear a bold lip with a smoky eye if you really want to. Just make it look the best you can, without having set rules.”

Rule to break #3: Washing your hair frequently

Skip a day, or several. Over-washing your hair can strip it of its natural oils, leaving you prone to a flaky, itchy scalp and brittle, lifeless strands. Renowned hair stylist, Renya Xydis, even suggests that those with unruly, frizzy hair should consider ditching shampoo altogether. “I haven’t washed my hair in two weeks. You need to let your natural oils breathe, otherwise your hair will misbehave,” she says. “Begin by limiting washes to three times a week, maximum.”

Image: Instagram @_lostgals

Rule to Break #4: Using beauty products only as intended

Sometimes, the instructions on the box of your favourite products are only telling half the story. Being creative with your beauty bounty can have you discovering the secret second (or fourth) use of that highlighter (a.k.a. night-out eyeliner), lip crayon (a.k.a. makeshift blush) or eye shadow (a.k.a. eyebrow filler). With their penchant for the creative, makeup artists often disregard the intended use of a product in favour of getting more inventive millage from their makeup. Such a makeup artist, Ania Milczarczyk, says that beauty products shouldn’t always be used how intended. “My all time favourite eyeshadow is actually a bronzer,” says Ania. “It gives a brightening glow to the eye without being too sparkly or over the top.”

Rule to break #5: More heat, more hairspray

The biggest modern hair myth is that we have been raised on the idea that the more styling, the better – even when we’re aiming for an ‘undone’ look. But sometimes it’s good to (actually) let your hair go natural – minus the heat and product styling. Hairstylist Lauren McCowan is an avid believer in the back-to-basics approach. “The modern women spends so much time getting her hair done at the salon, cuts and colours and all this money we invest in our hair,” she says. “Then we go home and blow dry it and straighten it, and then our toner falls out and we feel like we constantly need a new hair cut. Work with the kinks you wake up with minus the heating tools.” Interesting side note: Australia is one of the highest consumers of heat styling tools – it may be time to unplug.