Beauty
Expert Shares The 5 Biggest Skincare Myths That Are Preventing You From Getting Glowing Skin: Cleansing Once A Day, More
Beauty
Experts Say These 3 Hair, Skin And Nails Supplements Are Practically Useless And A Waste Of Money: Collagen Pills, More
Beauty
A Makeup Pro Shows Us How To Apply Foundation On ‘Wrinkled, Older Skin’ For An Even, Natural Finish
Beauty
Every few years, a beauty trend takes off so fast it feels unavoidable. At the time, it feels modern and transformative. Only later do we realize that what once looked polished now seems heavy, harsh, or strangely aging. This cycle doesn’t just apply to makeup, but also happens in skincare, too, where once-popular advice can linger long after experts have moved on.
If something in your routine feels a little off—perhaps your makeup looks harder than it used to, or your skin doesn’t seem to respond the way it should—the issue may not be your technique, your products, or your face at all. It could simply be that you are chasing an outdated rule out of habit.
According to makeup artists and dermatologists, beauty in 2026 is less about rigid formulas and more about flexibility, skin health, and realism. Here are nine beauty rules that once dominated routines, but that pros say no longer serve most people today.
1. Seeking texture-free skin
The idea that skin should look completely smooth and poreless isn’t just unrealistic—and it often backfires. Chasing texture-free skin can lead to over-exfoliation, product overload, and irritation, all of which make fine lines, pores, and redness more noticeable. Dermatologists now emphasize healthy skin function over visual perfection, because real skin has texture—and fighting that fact usually creates more problems than it solves.
2. DIY hair growth recipes
We know how stressful hair loss can be, but sometimes doing the most can make matters worse. Homemade hair growth hacks made from oils, kitchen ingredients, or viral mixtures promise miracles but rarely deliver results backed by science. In many cases, they can clog follicles, irritate the scalp, or worsen hair shedding. Dermatologists agree that hair growth depends on genetics, hormones, and scalp health, not DIY concoctions that lack proper formulation or testing.
3. Taking looksmaxxing to an extreme
Optimizing your appearance is a huge social media trend (and often an unhealthy one), and it can quickly tip into overcorrection when every feature is scrutinized and “fixed.” Extreme looksmaxxing often leads to harsh makeup, exaggerated grooming, or unnecessary cosmetic interventions that erase individuality rather than enhance it. Beauty professionals now stress balance and restraint—because the most striking faces tend to look natural, not engineered.
4. Dark, perfect eyebrows
Overly dark, sharply defined brows can overpower the face and create a severe, dated appearance, especially as skin and hair naturally soften with age. Makeup artists now favor brows that mimic real hair growth, with lighter shades and flexible shapes that move with the face. Brows are meant to frame your face, and not dominate it.
5. Heavy matte foundation
Thick, matte foundation was once synonymous with a flawless base, but it often emphasizes dryness, fine lines, and texture—particularly in natural light. As skin matures, it benefits from formulas that reflect light and move naturally with facial expressions. Today’s focus is breathable coverage that looks like skin, and not makeup sitting on top of it.
6. Heavy contour makeup
Strong contour lines designed to dramatically reshape the face tend to look unnatural off camera and can create muddy shadows on real skin. What once looked sculpted now often reads as severe or overdone. Modern makeup relies on subtle dimension and strategic placement, which enhances bone structure instead of recreating a new face shape from scratch.
7. Huge fake lashes
Oversized, super-dark false lashes can weigh down the eyes and throw off facial balance, especially for everyday wear. They often cast shadows, hide eye shape, and distract from the rest of the face. Lash trends have shifted toward lighter, wispy styles, or simply enhancing natural lashes with mascara.
8. Baking with powder
Heavy powder baking was designed for stage lights and long filming days, but doesn’t always translate well to the real world. On most skin, it settles into fine lines, accentuates dryness, and creates a chalky finish. Makeup artists now use setting techniques that lock makeup in place without sacrificing softness or skin movement.
9. Frosted highlighter
Thick, metallic highlighter stripes can exaggerate texture and look artificial in daylight. Instead of creating glow, they often draw attention to pores and fine lines. Current highlighter trends are all about subtle luminosity, and the products MUA love melt into the skin and create a natural sheen rather than a reflective stripe.
Tags:
Author: Lisa Cupido
Lisa Fogarty is a lifestyle writer and reporter based in New York who covers health, wellness, relationships, sex, beauty, and parenting.
Beauty
2 Anti-Aging Supplements Experts Say Can Support Skin Health Over 50—And 2 That May Not Be Worth The Hype: Avoid Iron, More
Beauty
The 4 Hair Colors That Can Look ‘Harsh’ On Mature Skin Tones, According To Stylists—And More Flattering Options
Beauty
7 Modern Pixie Cuts Women Over 50 Can Wear Without Looking Dated
Beauty
8 Valentine’s Day Date Night Beauty Products That Won’t Let You Down
Beauty
5 ‘Super-Aging’ Hairstyles Women Over 40 Should Avoid—And 3 Modern Cuts Stylists Recommend Instead: Heavy Layers, More
Beauty
The Chic Valentine’s Day Finds Under $30 We’re Actually Adding To Cart
Beauty
2 Viral Winter Nail Trends Everyone Will Be Rocking This Winter: Icy Chrome And Cloud Nails
Beauty
Beauty Experts Share The Biggest Collagen-Depleting Mistakes To Avoid This Year
Beauty
2 Key Supplements That Are Crucial For Thicker Hair And Stronger Nails, According To Derms: Biotin, More
Beauty
4 Face-Framing Chin-Length Bob Haircuts Boomers Should Ask Their Stylists For
Beauty
A Derm Tells Us How To Get Fuller Eyebrows Without Makeup—And Which Irritating Products To Avoid Because They Cause ‘Fallout’
Beauty
Social Media Reacts To North West’s ‘Horrendous’ Black Teeth Grills She Wore On Instagram Live With Kim Kardashian: ‘This One Is Going To Be Trouble’
Beauty
The Winter Makeup Mistakes That Can Emphasize Fine Lines And Make Skin Look Older, According To Pros
Beauty
2 High-Sugar Drinks That Can ‘Rob Your Skin Of Its Natural Glow’ And Cause ‘Deeper Wrinkles’: Soda, More
Beauty
The Best Stylist-Approved Hairstyles To Hide Signs Of Thinning
Beauty
Makeup Artist Shows Us How To Get The Most ‘Lifted, Perfect’ Blush Placement With A Viral Concealer Hack
Beauty
3 Types Of Shampoos No One Should Be Using Anymore Because They Make Hair Loss So Much Worse
Beauty
Want A Healthier Scalp And Stronger Hair Growth? Experts Share 2 Nourishing Hair Oils To Try
Beauty
11 Dull Hairstyles Pros Say To Never Get Because They Make You Look More Mature, And 3 To Try Instead
Beauty
Single or Taken, These Valentine’s Day Buys Are Worth It — Trust Me
Beauty
Beauty
Ever since I can remember, I’ve always been that …
Beauty
Beauty
Valentine’s Day has a funny way of sneaking up …
Beauty
