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About This Quiz
A lot goes into beauty know-how and skin care, but how well do you know the do's and don'ts of beauty? Test your beauty knowledge with this on trend HowStuffWorks quiz!
How important is it to cater to your specific skin type?
Incredibly
Skin care can be expensive. If you are not buying products that suit your skin, you can spend a hefty chunk of change on products that break you out, cause irritation and all other sorts of problems.
Somewhat
Not at all
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Do makeup brushes need to be cleaned regularly?
Yes
Using dirty brushes can lead to acne, irritation and even eye infections. While cleaning brushes regularly is no fun, your skin and eyes will thank you.
No
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Is brushing your hair when it's wet bad for your hair?
Yes
Hair is at its weakest when it's wet. Combing or brushing it right out of the shower over a long period of time can make it break and snap.
Not at all
It makes no difference
It's great for your hair
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Can sunscreen expire?
No
After decades
Quickly
After a few years
Sunscreen has a shelf life of about three years. After that point, its ingredients begin to break down. If you have the same sunscreen your mom bought you in high school rolling around in your drawer, it's time to let it go.
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How often should you replace your eyeliner and mascara?
Every week
Every month
Every 3-6 months
Makeup comes with an expiration date for a reason. When it comes to eye makeup, regular replacement is key to avoid eye infections or using dried out flaky product.
Never
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Where should you test your foundation when shopping?
Inner arm
Back of the hand
Stomach
Cheek and neck
Many people swatch foundation on their hands when shopping, which is part of the reason why so many people have faces shades lighter or darker than the rest of them. Instead, test the foundation where it will actually be used.
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Taking hot showers is _______ for your skin.
Great
Damaging
Showering with and washing your face with hot water leaves it desert dry and stripped of oils. Opt for warm or cool water instead.
Healthy
Clogging
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People with oily skin should use moisturizer: True or false?
True
While many people with oily skin are afraid of moisturizer, it's actually really important for them to moisturize. Oily skin only produces more oil if you constantly strip it of moisture.
False
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Does lipstick expire?
Yes
Many people hold onto lipsticks for years and years, but this is actually unsanitary. The preservatives in a lipstick start to break down after about a year. Gross!
No
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Which part of your hair should you condition?
Just the ends
Just the roots
All of it
While many people think that only the ends of your hair need TLC, especially fine hair, this isn't true. Fine hair especially is extra fragile when wet and needs the benefits of complete regular conditioning.
None of it
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How often should you wash your makeup brushes?
At least weekly
Makeup brushes can last from 1-5 years, depending on their quality and how well they are cleaned. While ideally they should be cleaned daily if they are used daily, a thorough weekly cleaning should be enough for most skin types to avoid infection and blemishes.
Monthly
Yearly
Never
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Which of these should be put on first?
Concealer
Foundation
Setting powder
Primer
Primer acts as a barrier between the skin and product and helps it last longer. It should be put on first, followed by concealer, foundation and setting powder.
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How long should you keep powder eyeshadow for?
6 months
1 year
Forever
2 years
As a general rule, all powder makeup is good for two years. This includes blushes and bronzers as well.
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What makes small eyes look even smaller?
Dark eyeliner on the top
Dark eyeliner on the top and bottom
Smoky eyes are a modern classic, but ringing small eyes in severe dark liner will only make them look smaller. Using lighter or powder eyeshadow on the bottom lashes instead can work wonders.
Mascara
White eyeliner in the waterline
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What do you need to do before heat styling your hair?
Let it air dry
Wash it at least twice
Use heat protectant
If you heat style your hair regularly, you could potentially fry your hair in the long term. Heat protection keeps your hair healthy and actually helps hot tools work better, so you get a sizzling look without the sizzled ends.
Apply hair oil
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How often should you get your hair color touched up?
Every week
Every month
Every 6 weeks
As infrequently as possible
Stylists used to recommend touch-ups every four to six weeks, but now they know that that often leads to damaged, over-processed hair. Now many recommend you wait as long as you can between colorings.
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What kind of bronzer should you contour with?
Neutral and matte
The whole idea of contouring is to trick the eye by using bronzer to create shadows and definition which could be natural. A neutral toned matte blush will work best for this.
Warm
Shimmery
Sparkly and warm
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Foaming cleansers are best for which skin type?
Very Oily
Only people with very oily skin should use foaming cleansers or ones with beads, as these intense cleansers strip moisture from the skin. People with dry skin should opt for moisturizing cleansers and people with combination skin should choose something more gentle.
Combination
Dry
Sensitive
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Over-exfoliating skin is a big problem: True or false?
True
While some exfoliation is good, too much can actually hurt your skin's natural protective barrier and cause acne and redness. Opt for a chemical exfoliant over ones made with sharp shells or seeds, which can actually tear your skin.
False
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Is it possible to use too much dry shampoo?
Yes
Many people use dry shampoo to keep their hair looking fresh between washes, but overdoing it can lead to serious issues for your scalp. It can clog your scalp's pores and make it irritated and oily if overused.
No
Depends on your scalp
Not usually
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How often does the average person need to wash their face?
Once a day
While everyone's skin is different, most people don't need to wash their face more than once, before they go to bed. Unless you are working out regularly, washing away makeup and the grime of the day in the evening will most likely be enough.
Three times a day
Once a week
Every other day
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You should use the hottest setting on your hair dryer: True or false?
True
False
Heat fries hair. While many people crank up the heat to get the job done faster, this can actually cause splits, frizz and breakage. Using a low setting is key for a sleek blowout rather than a retro poof ball.
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Where should you apply foundation?
Just your face
Face and neck
Face, neck and ears
We have all seen someone with a jawline shades darker, warmer or lighter than their neck. To avoid a full body ombre, blend your foundation onto your neck and ears.
Just on pimples
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What makeup mistake can make you look orange, instead of flawless?
Skipping primer
If you have ever put on a shade of foundation that matched you perfectly, only to look like an oompa loompa by 2 o'clock, it may be because the pH in your skin's oil changed the pigment in your foundation. Try applying a primer as a barrier.
No concealer
No setting powder
Baking too much
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What's the best way to blow dry your hair?
In medium sections
Many people just flip their heads over and have at it when blow drying, but this can actually give you a frizzy inconsistent texture right out of the gate. For smooth and sleek hair, work in medium sections with clips.
Flip it over
In many small sections
When it's dripping wet
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Never apply liquid foundation straight from the bottle or tube with_______.
Brushes
Sponges
A beauty blender
Your fingers
Never dip your fingers directly into a container of foundation, as this can cause bacteria to build up. If it has a pump or comes out of a squeeze tube, this is less of an issue.
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Eyebrows should ideally:
Be as thick as possible
Be as thin as possible
Frame your face
Eyebrow trends come and go, but the best brow will suit your specific face shape. Brows that are too sparse or dark can actually age you.
Be darker than your hair
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Is it a good idea to towel dry your hair by rubbing it with a towel?
Yes
No
Many people rub their hair dry with a towel. This can actually damage and break your hair. Instead gently squeeze out water with your hands and then a towel.
It doesn't matter
No one knows
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When doing makeup, it's most important to focus on:
On trend colors
On trend looks
Mimicking style icons
What works for you
Every face shape is different, so a one-size-fits-all approach to makeup generally leaves people feeling frustrated when the looks of their favorite celebs don't work out for them. Put the focus on your skin tone and favorite facial features, rather than trying to look like a long-lost Kardashian.
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Can you shampoo your hair too much?
Never
Yes
While no one wants smelly hair, if you shampoo your hair too often you can strip it of its natural oils, which makes it dry and damaged. Keep your hair happy by washing it three times a week at the most.
No
It depends
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What should your daily skin care routine include that most people forget?
Hands
Neck
Unless you wear a turtle neck year round, your neck sees just as much sun and wind as your face. Don't stop your moisturizer and sunscreen at the jawline.
Ears
Lips
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It's best to do your makeup in natural light: True or false?
True
While your makeup might look on fleek in the bathroom mirror, bathroom lighting is often harsh and tinged yellow, and unlike any other public environment you and your face will be in. Do your makeup in a space with natural lighting if possible to get a look that works for you.
False
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How does rough treatment affect hair?
It strengthens it
It weakens it
Even if your hair seems healthy, rough treatment can cause breakage over time. There's no need to attack your hair with a brush like it's done something to offend you. Stick to gentle brushing and drying, and try not to twirl it.
It doesn't
It makes it grow faster
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Should you apply sunscreen under your eyes?
Yes
While applying sunscreen too close to the eyes can be painful, it is actually important to protect this area with fragrance-free sunscreen. It's a common area where sun-exposure-based cancers can develop.
No
If you live in a sunny climate
Only in the summer
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What's the easiest way to get a dramatic lash look?
Multiple layers of mascara
Mascara with a thicker formula
Layering up mascara too many times leads to clumping, smudging, flaking, and sometimes even raccoon eyes. If you find yourself layering and layering mascara, get one with a thicker formula instead.
Eyelash oil
Eyelash extensions
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You Got:
/35
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