The good, the bad and the beautiful.

When it comes to our beauty routine, we're creatures of habit. (As evidenced by our favorite five-year-old lipstick, which is barely clinging to existence.) But apparently, our tried-and-true habits could be hurting us.

We had beauty pros Jessica Richards and Julia Stringer of Cobble Hill's Shen Beauty boutique give us the cold, hard, beauty counter facts:

Q: We know parabens have a bad name, but we have some in our closet. Are they really that bad?
A: Click here.

Q: We can't bear to part with our, ahem, five-year-old lipstick. (It's been discontinued.) Do we have to chuck it?
A: Click here.

Q: We think the leftover eyeshadow on our makeup brush adds depth to our palette. What's the big deal about not washing our brushes? 
A: Click here.

Q: My friend bought a high-end liner she hardly used, and wants to give it to me. Why not?
A: Click here.

Q: We've tried using mineral makeup, but feel the colors are too limited. What's a natural-seeking beauty girl to do?
A: Click here.

Shen's secrets are out.

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