Whether you’re a beauty newbie or you’ve been into all things makeup and hair for years, there’s always something new you can learn. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite makeup artist- and beauty editor-approved tips and tricks. These beauty hacks will help you make your drugstore makeup look like it was done by a professional, get the most out of your favorite skincare products, and have your hair look salon-fresh every day. Bonus: These tips are so simple, you won’t have to change your entire routine to reap the benefits of these easy makeup, hair and nail tips.
1Use Vaseline for a smudge-free manicure.
To keep your at-home manicure on your nails (and not the skin surrounding your nails), apply a little Vaseline around the boundary where your nails end and your skin begins. Wait for your manicure to dry, then wash your hands — any polish that’s landed on top of the Vaseline will wash right off.
2Apply dry shampoo before bed.
Dry shampoo is a last-minute life-saver when you have to be somewhere, but you don’t have time to wash your hair. But you may actually get more out of your bottle of dry shampoo if you apply it before going to bed. “I like using it before bed,” says Good Housekeeping‘s Beauty Director, April Franzino. “Hair will absorb it as you sleep and you’ll look refreshed in the morning.”
3Tap — don’t rub — perfume on your wrists.
This simple tip will make your perfume last much longer: Don’t rub wrists together to apply perfume (it makes it wear off faster). Instead, press together.
4Go easy on the concealer for a natural look.
Contrary to popular belief, loading up your under eyes with concealer won’t erase those dark circles — in fact, using a ton of cover up looks really unnatural and can make you look older. Instead, use a thin layer of a sheer concealer that evens out your skin tone without covering up your complexion completely.
5Flick your liner downward for a rounder eye.
A cat eye will always be cool, but this “puppy eye liner” Korean makeup trend has got us hooked. Rather than flicking your eyeliner up at the end, drag it downwards towards your cheekbone for a rounder, wider-looking eye.
6Use this map for your makeup.
Knowing what each part of your eye is called is half the battle when it comes to following along with beauty tutorials. Be sure to add this handy guide to your Pinterest beauty board so you can master your makeup.
7Set your lipstick with powder through a tissue.
Tired of your lipstick smearing, smudging, or fading throughout the day? Set it with translucent powder — but don’t put it directly on your lips. Instead, blot through a tissue so just the right amount of powder accesses your pout. And follow the rest of this easy lipstick how-to so your color will stay gorgeous as long as possible.
8Use multiple face masks to maximize your results.
Skincare is not one-size-fits-all, so customizing your routine can help get you the best results for your complexion. “Multi-masking is when multiple facial masks are used or layered simultaneously on the skin to combat different skin concerns at one time,” explains New York City aesthetician Cecilia Wong. If you have an oily T-zone but dry cheeks, for example, you can use a hydrating mask on the sides of your face and a charcoal one on your forehead, nose, and chin. It’s just like you’re at a spa!
9Stamp your lashes to make them look fuller.
A quick way to add depth to your eyes without using eyeliner: mascara stamping. Gently pressing your mascara against the underside of your lashes gives them a fuller, darker look — almost like eyeliner, but more natural.
10Choose a blush formula based on your needs.
Understanding which type of blush you need can help you get the perfect results for your face. Powder formulas work great on folks with larger pores, while creams offer a dewy finish and last longer. Gels are great for a nice healthy glow but don’t typically have high staying power, whereas stains are perfect for those who tend to sweat a lot. Here’s our guide on the four main types!
11Pick a blush hue that flatters your skin tone.
Blush can make your skin look radiant, but if you’re using the wrong color, it can actually clash with your complexion. Check out our handy guide to picking the best shade for your skin tone so you can get glowing.
12Pick an under eye concealer for your needs.
Got dark circles? Puffiness? Fine lines? Everyone’s under eye issues are different, so be sure to take your skin concerns into consideration and pick the best concealer for the job.
13Use face gloss for a natural-looking highlight.
Tired of your typical highlighter? Give face gloss a go. Rather than contouring your face, all you need to do is dab a little light-reflecting gloss along the tops of your cheekbones, on your brow bones, and in the center of your lips.
14Get effortlessly groomed brows in no time.
If you’re so over filling in your brows with heavy pencils, powders, and gels, you might want to try brow pomade instead. It only takes 10 seconds to apply, and it fills, fluffs, and shapes — all while looking totally natural.
15Apply blush according to your face shape.
When applying blush, using your bone structure as your guide will give you the most flattering look. For example, oval face shapes should start the application on the cheekbones, sweeping lightly up the temples. Follow our guide on figuring out the proper blush technique for your face shape to make the most of your rouge.
16Make blush the ultimate multi-tasker.
Streamline your makeup look by using a sheer watermelon blush (or whichever color is your perfect shade) on your eyes, lips, and cheeks. Here’s how to do it without looking like a clown.
17Use powder to enhance your lashes.
Want extension-like lashes? Between layers of mascara, try fluffing on a little translucent powder to add thickness and length. Use our quick and simple guide to master this sweet technique without looking dusty.
18Contour a round face in three easy steps.
Got a round face and feel like sculpting your cheekbones and jawline? Try this cheek contouring technique that’s as easy as 1-2-3! Follow along with our simple contouring tutorial here.
19Fix a broken nail with a teabag.
We’ve all had it happen: Just when you’ve finally grown out your nails so they’re healthy, strong, and all the same length, you get a snag. But don’t reach for the scissors right away — a teabag plus a little nail glue is the perfect fix. Wait a few minutes and you’ll be ready for some nail art once more.
20Use a diffuser for more defined curls.
Taking your blowdryer at face value is a big mistake if you’re a curly girl. If you’re sick of frizz and heat damage, it’s time to try a diffuser, which is “a blowdryer attachment that minimizes a lot of the frizz that comes when curly hair is naturally air dried,” explains hairstylist Britt White.
Twirling your hair, then plopping it into the diffuser attachment, and blowdrying it on low can make all the difference.
21Use lip liner for a longer-lasting look.
Lip liner is an easy way to make your lip color last all day. “Make sure you sharpen the pencil first for precise application,” recommends makeup artist Laramie. “And always choose a color that will match your lipstick — the undertones should be the same.” Need help getting the right shape? Try the “X” trick for a perfect Cupid’s bow every time.
22Remove a mascara smudge with a makeup brush.
There are few beauty missteps more frustrating than getting a mascara smudge on your eyes just after finishing your eye makeup. Don’t just wipe it with your finger — or, worse, take it all off and start over. “Just dip small concealer brush in a soft micellar water to remove the smudge without ruining your eyeshadow or liner,” says Laramie. Your makeup will be back on point in no time!
23Flat iron your collar.
If your collar is crinkled and you don’t have time to pull out the ironing board, just heat up your flat iron and press it around your collar. Voila! You’ve got a smooth shirt in no time.
24Look more awake with nude liner.
Want to instantly brighten up your eyes, making them look wider and more awake? Apply a nude eyeliner pencil to your lower waterline. The muted neutral shade is less harsh than white eyeliner (a popular tool in Old Hollywood for the same purposes), but it still makes your eyes appear larger.
25Soften your cuticles.
Getting your cuticles cut can be painful — and can potentially put you at risk for infections. If you want nicer-looking cuticles, simply apply a drop of cuticle oil to them each day and massage it in. You’ll have covet-worthy cuticles in no time.
26Plump up your lips in a snap.
If you want your lips to look fuller with zero injections or sting-y glosses involved, try this simple trick: Apply a dot of highlighter along your Cupid’s bow (the little dip in your upper lip) and in the center of your bottom lip.
27Pluck stubborn stray hairs.
Everyone has one, two, or more stray hairs on their face and body. If you want to remove them, don’t just blindly stab with tweezers. Instead, dust a little loose powder over the hairs to make them easier to spot, snag, and pluck — no stabbing required.
28Quickly amp up your hair with dry shampoo.
If your hair is falling flat, bring it back to life with a spritz of dry shampoo. Part your hair, spray dry shampoo along the roots, then tousle and go.
29Break in your shoes with your dryer.
If those new shoes don’t have quite the “give” you’d like, wear them in a bit with this solution: First, put on a thick pair of socks, then put on the shoes. Turn on your blowdryer and point it at the shoes until the material becomes softer and more pliable. One heads up: Not all materials will bend to your blowdryer’s will and, frankly, it’s smarter to buy a pair of shoes that fits comfortably from the start (but, yes, we know sometimes a really cute pair on sale is hard to resist).
30Add matte highlight to open up your eyes.
Highlighting your eye area is a great way to make yourself look more awake, but if shimmery shadows aren’t your thing, you should skip all those pearly and iridescent products. Instead, try using a concealer a couple shades lighter than your skin tone, applying it under the arch of your brow, at the inner eye corner, and in the center of your lid, then ble
