Most of us have mastered the basics when it comes to makeup — stuff like how to remove waterproof mascara, where to apply blush, and how to cover up a zit with the right concealer. But even if you’ve been wearing eyeshadow and foundation for decades, there are some next-level tricks out there that will leave you asking yourself, “How did I not know this?!” So if you’re looking to learn a few smart beauty tips that will save you time and money — all while looking more glam than ever! — you’re in the right spot.
From tried-and-true beauty insider secrets to the makeup techniques celebs rely on (we see you, highlighting and contouring), we’ve rounded up the best tips and tricks recommended by makeup pros and makeup junkies alike. Whether you’re looking to fix common makeup problems like creasing, smudging, or fading, or you just want to change up your look, here are the best makeup hacks that you need to try ASAP.
The key to fluffier and fuller lashes? A little translucent powder. After your first coat of mascara, dust your lashes with a gentle coat of loose powder — this will add volume to your eyelashes by making them look thicker. Add a second coat of mascara to cover the dustiness, and you’ll see the difference for yourself.
Instead of dotting concealer under your eyes, apply in un upside down triangle to brighten any dark circles and draw attention up to your pupils.
Everyone’s eyes are different — so that means everyone’s eyeliner should be drawn on a little bit differently, too. First, figure out your eye shape (hooded eyes, downturned eyes, monolid eyes, or round eyes), then learn the best eyeliner to use and the right way to apply it to make your eyes stand out.
When applying fake eyelashes, don’t rush to apply them after adding the glue. “Wait until lash glue has dried for about 30 to 40 seconds before applying falsies to keep the strip from sliding around and a faster dry-time on lids,” suggests Good Housekeeping editor Jessica Teich.
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After you’ve given your glue a minute to dry, hold a mirror below your line of sight as you put on your fake lashes. “Look down into a mirror when applying falsies,” says Teich. “It makes it easier to place the strip close to the lash line.”
If your favorite tube of mascara is starting to get a little clumpy, add a few drops of saline solution and swirl your brush around — it will add moisture to the mascara’s formula and extend its shelf life.
No eyeliner? No problem, your eyeshadow palette can do the trick. “Simply wet an angle brush with water or setting spray. Dip the wet brush into your eyeshadow, then line your eye as you would with traditional liner,” says makeup artist Dana Rae Ashburn-McKissock. “For a smoky look, allow the wet shadow line to dry and then lightly run a Q-tip along your lash line and blend for a softer result.”
After you finish applying any kind of eyeliner to your upper lashline, stop there or else your eyes will look smaller. “Avoid rimming your entire eyes in a dark color, unless you’re going for a full-blown smoky eye,” says Ashburn-McKissock. “Covering anything in a dark color is slimming, so you want to keep dark colors on the top and outer corners of the eyes to lift and accentuate.”
While dark liner on your waterline will close eyes in, white eyeliner has the opposite effect. “Find a liner that is a few shades lighter than your skin tone. Apply the liner to your bottom waterline,” says Ashburn-McKissock. “This will give the illusion of bigger, brighter eyes.”
Hold on to that white eyeliner because you’ll need it for your brows, too. Draw and then blend thin line of white or nude eyeliner directly under your eyebrows — this will dramatically highlight the natural arch of your brows.
When your liquid makeup is “empty,” here’s a secret: It’s not really empty. There’s bound to be some concealer, foundation, or liquid highlighter in the bottle that you just can’t squeeze out on your own. Before you throw the tube away, buy an inexpensive makeup spatula, like The Spatty,to scrape out the final drops.
If you’re looking for long, full lashes, don’t make the common mistake of just pressing down once with your eyelash curler.
“When curling eyelashes, pulse a few times up the whole length of your lashes for the most natural-looking curl,” says Teich.
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If you’re out of brow gel, try this DIY method to keep even the most unruly brows in place. “Apply a small amount of hair gel or hairspray on to a clean spoolie or toothbrush and brush your brows into place,” says Ashburn-McKissock. Quick and easy!
Highlighter draws forward certain spots on your face, making them appear larger — and you can use this basic principle to make your lips appear fuller. After applying lipstick, simply dab some highlighter on the cupid’s bow of your lips, and you’ll be able to see the difference right away.
Lip liner doesn’t just keep your lipstick in place — if you draw just over the natural lines of your lips, you can make your pout appear larger. “Use lip liner to fill in your lips in the same color as your lipstick for the longest-lasting coverage,” says Teich. “You can also overline lips this way.”
Wear your favorite lipstick color without worrying about it smudging or fading by turning it into a lip stain. “Apply your favorite cream or liquid lipstick, and leave it on for a minimum of 10 minutes,” says Ashburn-McKissock. “Then, use a wet cotton round to ‘remove’ it and apply your favorite lip balm after for a hydrated, stained look.”
Nobody wants their smile to show off a set of lipstick-stained teeth. To keep your lipstick on your lips, simply pucker up and put your thumb in your mouth, then quickly pull it out. That way, you’ll wipe away any lipstick on the inside of your lips before it makes its way to your teeth.
This old-school hack has been around since your grandma’s generation. And for good reason — it works. Apply your favorite lipstick as you normally would. After, place a tissue on your lips, and apply translucent powder over the tissue onto your lips. You’ll be left with matte pout that will stay put all night.
While it’s certainly easier to swipe some foundation or concealer on your inner arm to see if it matches your skin tone at the store, it’s not that accurate. “Color test foundation and concealer on your face or neck, not your arm or hand,” says Teich. “Your hand is likely a different color from your face, so this is the only way to get an accurate color match!”
When you want something lighter for the summer, you don’t have to ditch your foundation — you can turn it into tinted moisturizer. “Use equal parts foundation and moisturizer — apply a penny size amount of each and mix in your palm,” says Ashburn-McKissock. “For a summery, tan glow, add a few drops of gel bronzer. For a glowy, dewy effect, add a few drops of liquid highlighter.”
