Bizarre beauty myths

Bet you believed them too?

Mingalaba! In other words, greetings from the warm, dusty, and authentic Myanmar. I have never been in a country where the people were so kind, the food so delicious, and the surroundings so unusually beautiful. It is a country where you say 'you', even though the internet network is slower than a turtle with a knee injury. And of all the things that happen here as a matter of course (a cow casually walking into the supermarket and no one batting an eye, because yes, why not?) I find the golden makeup they smear on their cheeks, forehead, nose, chin, neck, in other words, the whole face, the coolest.
Young or old, man or woman, everyone wears it. After a few days of ‘trying not to stare, but what does that golden makeup even mean?’ the answer finally came. Given by Jaon, an older woman who thought she should paint my little face in the golden glow. And so it was done. But not without an ultimate explanation. The makeup is called Thanaka and is made from a mix of tree bark and water. It is worn for beauty reasons. With Thanaka on, you are the most beautiful. It is also a sunscreen, an anti-wrinkle cream, and a scrub in one. Can someone research this? I want to know if this is true. And if so, can someone tell me if you can take an entire tree trunk on the plane? Yes, please?
Seriously. I have heard many beauty myths. Do you remember how magazines used to say, back when you were in elementary school, that if you wanted to wear lipstick but weren't allowed to, you just had to bite your lips really hard? Then they would turn red by themselves. I mean, no shit, Sherlock. Who came up with this? That's not good for you at all, right? Anyway, I have become very curious about the craziest beauty myths out there. So here’s a list of the weirdest, grossest, and most unpleasant beauty myths.

Olive oil makes your hair grow faster

The quest for that long, thick, Rapunzel-like hair sometimes makes you do the craziest things. For example, slathering olive oil in your hair. And even though it makes your hair softer and reduces the chance of split ends, it doesn't help your hair growth. And to properly moisturize your hair, there are plenty of other products. So just leave that olive oil in your kitchen, okay?

Egg yolk reduces cellulite

Ohhhh guys, if only it were that easy! We are all looking for the magical trick that makes all cellulite disappear just like that. But unfortunately, that search doesn't end with a pack of eggs. Applying egg yolk makes it seem like your skin is tighter in the short term. But seriously, do you want to smell like rotten eggs all day? I thought so. A good moisturizer has the same effect.

Sleeping on your back reduces wrinkles

This would be such bad news for everyone who, like me, is a side sleeper. The only way this reduces wrinkles is if you wake up in the morning without a ‘pillow face‘. So during that first sleepover with your new crush, you might choose to team up with the back sleepers. But don't worry about the rest.

Applying lemon to your teeth makes them whiter

You really don't want to do this to yourself, do you? And if you are seriously considering this, just watch those videos of babies trying lemon. Even though it doesn't work for whiter teeth, it does make your hair blonder in the sun. Please just stick to that.

Hair grows faster if you cut it often

I hear this so incredibly often. And it’s not true at all. That extra haircut does not make your hair grow faster. It does make your hair healthier, so it will come back fuller. But that's the only thing.

Hair grows back thicker if you shave it

I believed this for years with full conviction. But don’t worry, ladies; you can continue to shave your legs, armpits, and bikini line without a care. Shaving makes your hair appear thicker because it is shorter and stubbly. That’s it.

Written by: Danique van Leeuwenstijn