The most fearful beauty phobias

I will do pretty much anything when it comes to beauty. I’ll wax my own underarms, tint my own lashes and try every self-tan that hits the shelves. But I absolutely will not – not now or ever – apply a lip gloss that has a doe foot (sponge-tipped) applicator.

And the reason is completely irrational, but the truth is… it just gives me the creeps. It has nothing to do with the lip gloss itself (in fact, gloss is making a total comeback), but the idea of that wet, furry tip touching my lips makes me shudder. It is my one and only beauty phobia.

And it turns out I’m not the only one with a slightly strange fear when it comes to beauty… Here are a few things the bh team and our members avoid at all costs:

“I’m so scared to use an eyelash curler. I’m afraid it will pinch my eyelid, which will freak me out!” – bh’s Issy

Share Issy’s fear? Learn how to use an eyelash curler safely here.

“Thinking about my phobia makes me shudder! It’s when you get your nail polish removed at a salon and they use really strong acetone… and then your nails and skin around them get that whitish colour and go all dry and chalky feeling! Aarrgghh it gives me the absolute creeps! I can’t look at or touch my nails or fingertips until they’ve soaked them or put oil on them.” – bh’s Deb

RELATED: Why you should be using cuticle oil

RELATED: 7 crazy things you didn’t know about your nails

“I’ve traveled in Asia a lot and they have places where you put your feet into water and little fish nibble at your dead skin…. Ah no thank you! It gave me the heebie jeebies every time I saw them and they are very popular – you can even do it in big shopping malls, there are tanks everywhere!” – duality

“Using eyeliner on my upper waterline (some of you may know it as ‘tightlining’). I just can’t stand the feel of the pencil and it irritates my eyes like crazy. I recently picked up this work-around tip from make-up artist Peter Beard: line the lower waterline with kohl pencil, then squeeze [the] eyes together. It gives all the drama to the upper lashes, with none of the irritation.” – bh’s Michelle B

RELATED: Expert tips for applying eyeliner perfectly

RELATED: 8 eye make-up hacks you need to know

“Cotton balls make my skin crawl! No issues with cotton pads though.” – PrettyPrincess

Can’t stand cotton balls either? Try Swisspers Make-up Pads.

“I haaateee having the soles of my feet scrubbed when I go for a pedicure. I find it so ticklish that I can’t stop squirming! Usually I just ask for the pedicurist to skip it altogether… even if it means my feet won’t be as soft as a result.” – bh’s Beth

bh tip: If you have the same phobia as Beth, try using Milky Foot Exfoliation Pads. You simply slip the foot pads onto your feet, leave them to soak and then watch all the dead skin come off – no scrubbing required!

“Hair in the bath drain.” – bh’s Matt

“I can’t stand using a lip brush! The feeling of [the] bristles makes my lips tickle and that is just not on! I much prefer a stick, doe foot, or pencil form of lip product.” – Deeknight

“This might sound a bit crazy, but I have a bit of a fear of blush. It all came about at a previous job where I served this girl who I swear looked like a clown, her blush was that strong. Ever since I’ve been really self-conscious of not applying too much of it, even though I need it due to being so pale.” – Seashells

RELATED: Are you wearing the right shade of blush?

RELATED: How to apply blush for your face shape

“Filing my nails – I could NEVER EVER do it, it’s like nails down a chalkboard. Even thinking about it gives me the shivers! Thankfully, I very rarely have to file them because I’m a hardcore nail biter. Shameful I know, but to me it’s better than hearing that awful sound!” – bh’s Astrid

Are you surprised by any of the above phobias? Do you have any beauty fears?