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 #02: Perfect smokey eye
- Hack #03: Contoured cheekbones
- Hack #04: How to apply mascara to lower lashes
- Hack #05: How to prevent your lipstick from smudging
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
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
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
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
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!
Written by Urvi Dalal on Dec 16, 2020
Writer, avid reader and hardcore beauty enthusiast is the best way to describe Urvi Dalal. With over 5 years of writing experience in the beauty industry, you can trust her to have the latest skin, hair and makeup tidbits on her fingertips. In her time working as a beauty writer, she has had the opportunity to interact and work closely with a string of dermatologists, makeup artists and hairstylists. All that knowledge exchange, coupled with her flair and love for writing make it possible for her to bring you some authentic yet fun beauty content. When Urvi isn’t working, you’d usually catch her curled up with a big, fat book, drinking a cup of tea or practising her makeup skills; there is no in-between!