You don’t have to spend hours in front of a mirror to get your makeup perfect. There are all kinds of little tricks you can use that will make applying cosmetics much easier and ensure that you always have the look you are going for. Here are the top 30 makeup hacks that will change your life:
30. ELIMINATE THE FRIZZIES
Forget the towels for drying your hair. Use an old tee shirt instead. Unlike towels, tee shirts will not create friction. You will have soft curls instead of frizz.
29. FIX FRENCH MANICURES WITH A RUBBER BAND
This is so easy, and saves you from having to go back to your manicurist. Wrap a rubber band around your finger so it lies straight across the nail. Then, use some polish to fix the part of the nail that is sticking out at the top.
28. APPLY DRY SHAMPOO AT NIGHT
Use dry shampoo just before going to bed. As you move around in your sleep, the shampoo will really get worked into the hair. You will wake up with loads of volume and body.
27. GET RID OF SPLIT ENDS
26. PLUMP UP YOUR LASHES
Don’t bother with expensive lash-pumping mascaras. Instead, dust some translucent powder on your lashes between coats. This will make your lashes look much fuller.
25. USE AN UNUSUAL ITEM FOR BLOTTING
Toilet seat covers are ideal for blotting makeup. They are made from similar materials as blotting papers. So, if you are out of blotting papers, reach for a toilet seat cover to blot away excess skin oils.
24. CURL YOUR LASHES FASTER
Use your hairdryer to heat your eyelash curler. Let it cool a bit, then use as you normally would. The heat will set the curl so it lasts longer.
23. REMOISTURIZE MASCARA
Don’t throw away mascara just because it has dried up. Instead, add a few drops of saline solution. This will make it moist and it will work as well as it did when you first bought it.
22. NO MORE MASCARA ON UPPER EYELIDS
Use your spoon for this hack. Hold the rounded part against your upper eyelids while applying mascara. The excess mascara will go onto the spoon and not your eyelids.
21. NO MORE LIPSTICK ON YOUR TEETH
After applying your lipstick, put your finger in your mouth. Close your lips around your finger, then pull your finger out. The excess lipstick will get on your finger, and not on your teeth.
20. USE GEL EYEBROW PENCILS FOR CONTOURING
Mark the areas to contour with a dark-colored gel eyebrow pencil. You can easily smudge and blend this makeup for perfect contouring. Finish the look with an all-over cream highlighter on your cheekbones, the center of your forehead, and the Cupid’s bow.
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19. COVER UP PUFFY EYES AND DARK CIRCLES
Forget about dotting your concealer. Instead, apply it in a triangle shape, with the base at your lash line and the tip at the bottom of your cheek. This will hide redness beneath the eyes, and brighten up your whole face.
18. CREATE A PERFECT CUPID’S BOW
Use your lip liner (same shade as your lipstick) to draw an “X” on your upper lip. Apply your lipstick, using the “X” as a guide. You will have the perfect pout.
17. CREATE NATURAL CONTOURING
It can be difficult to figure out where to put blush or bronzer for contouring. The easy way is to use your eyeliner pencil, or even a makeup brush handle. Place the straight edge directly below your cheekbone to get the right angle.
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16. MAKE YOUR OWN LIP GLOSS
Don’t throw away your broken eye shadows. Instead, turn them into lip gloss. Crush the eye shadow into powder, then mix with petroleum jelly to make any color lip gloss you like.
15. MAKE LIPSTICK STAY ON LONGER
This old trick really works. Put on a coat of lipstick, then lay a tissue across your lips. Dust translucent powder on to make the color set so it stays on longer.
14. EASY EYELASH GLUE APPLICATION
Applying eyelash glue can be so tricky. Make it easier by putting the glue on a bobby pin. Apply the glue with the tip of the bobby pin for a more even and quicker application.
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13. EASY SMOKY EYE MAKEUP
With your eyeliner, draw a slanted hashtag at the outer corner of each eye. Blend it in with the rest of your eye makeup. You get that smoky look without a lot of work.
11. ACHIEVE PERFECT WINGED EYELINER WITH A SPOON
To get that winged effect everyone loves so much, you only need one common household item: a spoon. Start your eyeliner as you would for a cat eye look, press the rounded side of the spoon against your eyelid, and move the spoon outwards to create the winged effect.
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8. GET MORE MINERAL MAKEUP
Just because it seems like you can’t get any more out of your mineral makeup, it doesn’t mean that you need to buy more. Simply use a penny to remove the bottom part of the container. You will see that there is still a lot of makeup left underneath.
7. GET MORE OUT OF LIQUID MAKEUP
Don’t throw away makeup in tubes just because it seems like they are empty. Cut them open, and scoop the makeup into plastic pots. This is a great way to save money on makeup.
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4. SKIP THE CLEAR BASE COAT
Use a coat of white nail polish instead of a base coat. This will make your nail color stand out more. It will still protect your nails from becoming stained by colored polishes.
3. REMOVE GLITTER NAIL POLISH EASILY
Skip the base coat, and use white glue (Elmer’s works well) instead. Follow with coats of your favorite glitter polish. When you are ready to remove the polish, it will peel right off.
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2. CHECK YOUR MAKEUP UNDER DIFFERENT LIGHT
You may not have the Most Unexceptional light when you are applying makeup. When you get into your car, check your makeup before going anywhere. The bright outside light will help you to see any spots you may have missed.
1. TURN EYELINER PENCIL INTO GEL
This will make eyeliner easier to apply because it makes it softer. Simply place the tip of the eyeliner pencil over a flame for one second. Wait about 15 seconds for it to cool down, and apply.
Featured photo credit: Shandi-lee Cox via flickr.com
