We spent most of 2020 indoors. But, if you’re a makeup enthusiast, we’re sure you did more than just stare at your bedroom walls during the lockdown. All the free time on hand gave people the chance to experiment and how. Instagram and TikTok are loaded with insane beauty hacks, and as beauty buffs, we had to try most (if not all) of them.

As we near year-end, we decided to go through all the makeup hacks we learnt this year and rounded up the top five for you. If you haven’t tried them yet, now is your chance.

 

Hack #01: Using a dried-out eye pencil

Hack #01: Using a dried-out eye pencil

Using a dried-out kohl pencil is a real struggle. It doesn’t glide on smoothly, and the pulling and tugging can end up irritating the delicate eye area. But don’t throw away the pencil just yet, because we have the perfect solution – heat it. Most creamy eye pencils contain wax that makes it glide on like butter after minor heating. Simply place the pencil over the flame of a lighter or candle for two to three seconds. Allow it to cool down and get gliding.

 

Hack #02: Perfect smokey eye

Hack #02: Perfect smokey eye

Image courtesy: @Brit Morin on Pinterest

Smokey eye is one versatile eye makeup that we just can’t get enough of. But if you’re a makeup noobie, creating the perfect smokey eye can be tricky. While practice does make perfect, a little shortcut never hurt anyone. All you need to do is draw a hashtag on the outer corner of the eyes using a creamy eye pencil. Then, simply blend it inwards using an eyeshadow blending brush and voila! It seriously can’t get easier than this.

 

Hack #03: Contoured cheekbones

Hack #03: Contoured cheekbones

Want chiselled cheekbones, but can never seem to get contouring right? Here’s a solution. Take a thin makeup brush or any eye pencil and place it right under your cheekbones — from your ear to the corner of your mouth. This will help you find the perfect angle of your face. Post this, simply trace the brush handle using a contour powder or stick and blend it the product upwards for a lifted look. And there you have it, perfectly contoured cheekbones. Simple, right?

 

Hack #04: How to apply mascara to lower lashes

Hack #04: How to apply mascara to lower lashes

Image courtesy: @Seventeen on Pinterest 

While most of us are total pros at defining our upper eyelashes with mascara, the same can’t be said about the bottom lashes. So, what’s a girl to do? Well, simply grab a clean spoon, turn it around and place it right under your lower eyelashes before swiping on some mascara. This will prevent the product from transferring onto the skin and creating a mess.

 

Hack #05: How to prevent your lipstick from smudging

Hack #05: How to prevent your lipstick from smudging

Image courtesy: @Cosmopolitan on Pinterest

No one likes smudged, bleeding lip colour or one that needs constant touch-ups. But before you blame your lip colour, try this little hack that most makeup artists swear by. After applying the first layer of lipstick, place a clean tissue on your lips and dust on some loose powder with a large fluffy brush. Next, take off the tissue and apply another layer of lipstick to lock it in place. This will ensure your lipstick doesn’t smudge or transfer and will also eliminate the need for touch-ups. Win-win!