We are so excited to share with you this incredible list of makeup tips and tricks. They are perfect for a beginner because they are super easy and so smart! You will be thinking, why didn’t I think of that?
We also tried to incorporate a number of videos actually demonstrating the tips because, if you’re like us, videos makes it so much easier to follow and show that it actually works!
Note: post may contain affiliate links
1. Contour your nose with a fork to create the perfect lines.
Contouring can be a bit intimidating, but this genius makeup hack takes some of the guesswork out! Use a fork to create perfectly placed straight lines when contouring your nose. While I think doing a full contour on your face every day can be a bit over the top, I have been amazed at the results of nose contouring.
2. Use scotch tape for amazing winged eyeliner.
Do you dream of perfectly drawn winged eyeliner you see on other girls? But when you go to do it ends up looking…well, not perfect. Try this for a guaranteed straight line. It’s like training wheels for eyeliner.
Simply take a piece of scotch tape, pull it on and off the back of your hand a couple times to make in a bit less sticky so as not to harm your more sensitive eye area. Then, place it where you want the bottom line to be. Draw on your eyeliner like usual, pull off the tape and voila! Skip to 2:30 in the video above to see how it is done.
3. Use a straw holder to store your makeup brushes.
This is brilliant! It keeps the dust and bacteria out and easily displays your brushes so it is easy to select the right one. Speaking of genius storage makeup tips, our next one is…
4. Use a pill box to store your false eyelashes.
We love this next storage hack on our list of makeup tips. Have a pill box lying around from that supplement kick you went on last year? Put it to use to organize & store your false lashes. It will keep them separate, clean, and in good shape to reapply the next time you want to wear them. You can have a different pair for each day of the week.
5. Make any lipstick matte using translucent powder.
With this makeup hack, you can instantly transform any lipstick you own into a matte one! How awesome is that?! You don’t have to find a matte version of your perfect lipstick shade. You can make it yourself! Simply take a tissue, hold it over your lips, and dust on translucent powder so it transfers through the tissue. Then, reveal your gorgeous matte lips! Keep out your translucent powder for this next one on our list of genius makeup tips…
OR you can buy this genius product: Insta Matte from Smashbox also shown in the video above.
6. Dust your lashes with powder before applying mascara to gain instant volume.
I love makeup tips using products you already have in your makeup bag. Just apply some of your translucent powder (or baby powder) after applying your first coat of mascara. Then, finish off with a final coat and reveal your gorgeous, thick lashes. Now, at the end of the day, you’ll need this next makeup tip…
7. Use coconut oil to clean off your eye makeup and help you grow longer lashes.
There is nothing worse than sleeping in eye makeup. It feels heavy and itchy and you wake up with raccoon eyes. What if I told you that by removing your eye makeup, you can also help your lashes be healthy and grow longer? That’s the perfect motivation I need after a long night. Here’s what you do:
Gently rub a small amount of coconut oil on your eyelids and lashes to loosen eye makeup. Then, take a cotton pad and easily wipe it all off. You’ll be left with clean, nourished skin and it helps you grow longer lashes! See step-by-step pictures on the super popular beauty blog Maskcara. This is no joke; she is a beauty expert and raves about this cheap and easy solution!
8. Add highlighter to any lipstick to make it metallic.
We already showed you how to make any lipstick matte in our makeup tips above. Now, you can make any lipstick metallic. Yes, that means that all lipsticks you own are now a 3-in-1! And again, this is just with an item already in your makeup bag.
Simply scrape a bit of your highlighter and add the powder to your lipstick for a gorgeous metallic shade. You can use a less expensive highlighter too if you don’t want to waste some of your favorite. This is the perfect makeup hack to take your look from day to night.
9. Use a spoon when you put on mascara to protect against those annoying black spots.
Isn’t it so annoying when you have just created a gorgeous eyeshadow look and you ruin it with those annoying little mascara dots? Well, we’ve got the fix for you! Just take a spoon (plastic or metal works) and hold it behind your lashes as you apply your mascara to act as a shield against any pesky stray marks. Without having to worry about making a mess, you will find you can apply your mascara better for a thicker, more voluminous look.
10. Make a clipboard or plastic plate into a brush cleaning mat.
Makeup brush cleaning is essential to prevent bacteria that can cause acne from getting on your skin. Cut down the time it takes to clean out your brushes with this brilliant hack. You’ve probably seen those mitts with the little grooves that you can buy in the store that help dislodge the gunk in your brush and clean it out faster.
Well, you can easily make a DIY version with this makeup hack. Simply use a hot glue gun and add a pattern of zig-zag lines and dots to either a plastic plate or the back of a cheap plastic clipboard. It’s like a much more glam version of the washing boards from the olden days.
Don’t have the time or supplies? Buy a cleaning mat or the mini version for super cheap!
11. Stop your brushes and makeup from falling in the sink with this brilliant product.
We’ve all done it. You are applying your makeup with limited counter space and you accidentally drop your brush or push it into the sink accidentally. It feels like slow motion as you watch it fall into the sink and then it’s wet and you worry it’s covered in bacteria and you can’t use it. It’s so annoying.
Well, no more – The Matte to the rescue! This genius product can be rolled out over your sink area to not only prevent this from happening, but give you more counter space to work with. Win-win!
12. Turn your blush brush into a fan brush for contouring with just one bobby pin.
Feel like there are so many types of makeup brushes you need, but just don’t have the budget? Or, you may be traveling and can’t bring them all with you? Either way, this makeup hack is perfect for you. With just one bobby pin, you can easily turn your general blush brush into a fan brush by just clipping it over the bristles to fan it out. Once done, just make sure you take it off so the bristles don’t get permanently fanned out.
We love makeup tips that save us money by making our existing products more versatile!
13. Spray hairspray on an old toothbrush and use it to tame your brows.
Wake up in the morning and your eyebrows looking a bit funky? Just spray your hairspray on an old toothbrush and use it to shape and tame your brows for an instantly more polished look. Plus, they will stay in place all day long!
14. Use micellar water to instantly refresh dry face wipes.
I love face wipes. They are a necessity for me that I rely on when I am just too tired to properly wash my face or I use before going to the gym or when I just want to feel a bit refreshed. But, sometimes you forget to close the little sticky flap and are left with face wipes that are just a bit too dry and are not nearly as effective. Don’t throw them away! Just add a bit of micellar water to instantly revive them good as new! Speaking of reviving dried up products, next on our list of makeup tips…
15. Use a few drops of saline or Visine to stretch out your mascara that may be running low.
Is your perfect mascara running out during a busy week when you just don’t have time to get to the store or are still waiting on your Sephora shipment? We have the perfect solution. Just add a few drops of saline or Visine to your mascara to stretch it out for a few more uses and hold you over until you can pick up a new bottle. BUT, keep in mind that your mascara is not something that you should keep forever. How long does it last you ask?…
16. Labeling your makeup products with the expiration date when you open them.
Using the chart above, you can determine what the expiration date is of all your products when you open them. Then, write the date on one of those circle labels or directly on the packaging with a sharpie so you’ll know when to throw it out.
How do you find out your makeup’s expiration date?
Also, a little know makeup hack is that makeup products have the recommended expiration date on them, right under your nose. You just have to know where to find it! Take a look.
17. Heat up your eyelash curler before using it with a hair dryer.
This hack makes perfect sense considering we use heated curling irons to make sure our hair holds a curl. Similarly, heating up your eyelash curler using your hair dryer will lead to better-curled lashes that last longer. It should only be heated up slightly though. Make sure that you don’t make your eyelash curler too hot by testing it first on your wrist before you use it.
18. Use a coffee filter or tissue paper as oil blotting sheets.
Go into the office bathroom and look at yourself in the mirror to see that dreaded shine? You don’t have powder or oil blotting sheets in your purse. No problem! Just grab a coffee filter from the break room. They are super effective and you will be shine free in no time. You can even grab a few extra a cut them up, store them in a Ziploc or an Altoids case and you have DIY oil blotting sheets for a fraction of the price.
Not a coffee drinker? Another great alternative for oil blotting sheets is tissue paper. Now for more DIY makeup tips…
19. Create a DIY drying rack for your brushes using hair ties and a towel rack.
20. Fix broken lipstick with a lighter.
Next time the top of your lipstick breaks off, you’ll be ready! All you have to do is heat it up with a lighter and then push the two ends back together. It is kind of like welding lipstick. Good as new! (Watch the video here). Continuing on with makeup tips that rescue our favorite products…
21. Fix broken powder with a bit of rubbing alcohol.
You drop your favorite blush or bronzer compact and it shatters. Noooooooooo! Fear not, this hack is like makeup magic! All you have to do is add rubbing alcohol to the broken compact and press it back into shape. Then, let it dry and it’s fixed! This brilliant tip can really save you money.
22. Warm up your mascara or eyeliner so it will apply flawlessly.
You know how when you have your chapstick in your pocket and you go to put it on and it is so much smoother and easy to apply? Well, the same can work for your mascara and eyeliner.
Just warm them up for a smooth, buttery application using one of these makeup tips:
- Put your closed mascara bottle in a cup of hot water before you use it
- Heat up the tip of your eyeliner pencil with your hair dryer
- Stick your eyeliner or mascara down your bra while you start your makeup to heat it up (my personal favorite because you don’t need any extra tools)
23. Store your Beauty Blender in a plastic egg to easily take it with you on the go.
I adore my Beauty Blender. I think it makes my foundation go on so much more naturally. Plus, I like that I can wash it after every use so easily to make sure it is not transferring bacteria to my face. But, after I wash and dry it, I often struggle with where to put it to keep it clean. I have tried a Ziploc, but it ends up looking a little beat up quickly.
This hack is so much better… use a plastic Easter egg! It is the perfect size, keeps your Beauty Blender clean and easily fits in your makeup bag or purse when on the go. Just make sure that it’s dry before you pack it because you don’t want it to be damp and get moldy in there.
Speaking of genius products for beauty blenders, I was thrilled when I found this Beauty Blender drying rack (below) and immediately went to snatch one up! Buy one for yourself here.
24. Test your foundation on your neck to find the perfect color match.
We all live in fear of the dreaded foundation line of a poorly matched foundation. To prevent this, make sure you test your foundation color with a swatch on your neck right by your jawbone for the best match. Also, make sure you look at it in various lighting to verify it is a good match.
25. Create your own BB cream using products you already have!
Doesn’t it seem like there are endless variations of beauty products out there? Buy them all and your wallet and bathroom storage will be seriously hurting. Instead, we say, use what you’ve got! You can create your own BB cream using products you probably already have for a 4-in-1 beauty win!
Read more: Drugstore Makeup Favorites of Top Youtube Beauty Stars
Which makeup tips were your favorite? Share them with a friend or pin for later.
