Beauty 'rules' it's okay to break

Sure, there are some beauty rules we should never question (wear sunscreen daily, remove make-up before bed and say no to smoking), but there are also a few that were made to be broken. From the war on greys to challenging traditional make-up combos, these are the old-school beauty laws you need to ignore...

Wash your hair every day

Believe me when I say it's better to leave it for a day or two. That way, your hair has time to build up the natural oils that keep your scalp healthy and happy. Ironically, washing hair too often can dry it out.

bh tip: If you’re looking a little greasy between washes, a dry shampoo such as Klorane Oil Control Dry Shampoo with Nettle can work wonders.

Cover the greys

Sorry, who died and put the goddess of youth in charge? Grey hair is nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, many celebs are embracing the colour and choosing to dye their locks grey and quite frankly, we’re digging it.

bh tip: If you decide to embrace your silver strands, you might want to consider switching your shampoo for one that's specifically formulated for greys like the Avon Advanced Techniques Radiant Silver Shampoo. 

Mascara is only for top lashes

If you read our biggest beauty trends of 2015 story, then you’ll know this rule ain’t gonna stick. How many times have you seen a woman and thought, “she’d look great if only her eyelashes weren’t so big and full”? Never? Thought so. The trick to the whole bottom lash thing is finding a mascara with a fine brush that’ll allow you to coat each individual lash without clumping.

bh tip: Benefit They’re Real Mascara is brilliant for subtly coating both top and bottom lashes.

Steer clear of blue eyeshadow

It was the ‘it’ thing in the 80s, and now women are afraid to bring back the blue in fear of looking dated. Well, ladies, get ready to change your attitude. Navy and indigo eyeliners are so on-trend, and look great applied as a cat-eye. Oh, and did we mention blue is the perfect shade for making your peepers pop?

bh tip: Blinc Cosmetics Liquid Eyeliner in blue is easy to apply and long-lasting.

Redheads can’t wear red lipstick

Pairing red hair with a matching lip used to be a major make-up faux-pas, but that's nothin' but a load of grade-A baloney. Famous fiery-headed sirens like Emma Stone, Christina Hendricks and Jessica Chastain prove just how outdated this rule is. The key to pulling off the red lippie look isn’t in the strands, it’s in the skin. Got questions? We’ve got answers.

bh tip: Overwhelmed by the selection of reds out here? Dont fret - we'll help you find your perfect tone.

Don’t rock bold lips and smoky lids

We bet you’re thinking a smoky eye paired with a statement lip is beauty suicide, but that’s not entirely true. True, a dark and heavy lid and neon lip can look frightening, so it’s important to tone down the colours. Keep your foundation sheer and choose brown over black eye make-up. And there you have it: daring combo, nailed.

bh tip: Don't be afraid of the smoky eye - it's easier than you think. Watch bh's resident make-up artist show you how to get the look down pat.

Brushing your hair 100 times before bed makes it healthier

Not for curly hair, at least! Put down the brush and ward off frizz, Marcia Brady. While it’s fine for straight-haired girls to brush their dry mane, those of us with curly and wavy hair should just use a wide-tooth comb (like this Lady Jayne one ) in the shower for defined, tangle-fee strands.

bh tip: Need more advice on controlling those gorgeous curls? Check out our curly hair commandments. 

Only wear ‘warm’ or ‘cool’ colours depending on your skin tone

Yes, skin tone is a big factor to consider when choosing your foundation and concealer, but when looking at eyeshadow or lipstick, anything goes. Work with your skin, but don’t get wrapped up in the theory of the colour wheel. The beauty of beauty is experimenting! Go on, live a little.

bh tip: Can't tell whether you are warm or cool toned? Click here and watch to find out. 

Apply a face mask weekly

Really, if you religiously use a cleanser, toner, exfoliator and moisturiser, a weekly face mask isn’t going to make much of a difference to your skin. That being said, if you tend to be a little lazier in the skin care department, a weekly mask is well worth it.

bh tip: Have you been slacking on skin care? The Bioré Self-Heating One Minute Mask with Charcoal will give your pores a deep, thorough cleanse.

Women over 40 should chop their locks

Say what now?! This just makes me mad. While ageing does affect the strength and speed at which our hair grows, that does not mean you need to give up on the idea of long, lush locks completely. If you love long hair and want to keep the length, just commit to taking great care of it.

bh tip: Keep your locks in check for longer with Molton Brown Mer-rouge Deep Conditioning Mask - it melts into your hair like butter.

Use a brush to apply foundation

Finger painting isn’t just for the little ones. Mix your foundation and a small amount of moisturiser in the palm of your hand, then apply it to your face like you would a cream to make the skin really look alive. The power of touch helps with portion control, plus the warmth of your fingers helps to blend product easier, resulting in a more natural finish.

bh tip: if you're not ready to give up the brush, find out the right way to apply foundation using one.

What beauty rules have you broken?