We all know that applying makeup is no easy task. With so many options to choose from and so much information online, it’s easy to get tricked into spending money on makeup you don’t need and miss out on game-changing products that can transform your beauty routine and make your skin look flawless. In this article, we’re debunking 6 most popular beauty myths to help you get the most out of your makeup and save money at the same time. Check them out below!
1. Makeup Does or Doesn’t Cause Acne
View this post on Instagram
Everyone’s skin is different, and every product is different- so finding the best fit for you is a difficult process. Find out what ingredients your skin doesn’t like, such as silicone (which appears in many primers), or talc (which shows up in blushes). That’s the first step to keeping your skin clear while enjoying makeup.
The second is makeup hygiene. You can avoid breakouts by making sure that your skin is properly cleansed before and after you put makeup on: the first, to give yourself a healthy canvas to work with, and the second to make sure no makeup blocks your pores. And make sure to wash your brushes! Bacteria love makeup brushes. Not cute.
2. Not Everyone Can Wear Red Lipstick
View this post on Instagram
The only difference between you and someone flawlessly wearing red lipstick is that they put it on one day and just went with it. You can wear red lipstick, and if you want to, you should! The key to pulling it off is in finding the perfect red lipstick to flatter your colouring. Check out helpful guides to find out what your skin’s undertone is and what shades would look best on you. A quick rule of thumb is to shoot for cooler tones if you have red (or cool-toned) skin, and warmer ones if you have more yellow/orange (or warm-toned) skin.
3. You Don’t Need Primer or Setting Spray
View this post on Instagram
Yes, you do. A new myth circling the beauty sphere is the idea that primer isn’t necessary, and moisturizer will do. Listen, primer exists for a reason, and it’s to protect your skin! Without it, the only thing standing between your skin and makeup is…well, nothing. Primer acts as a helpful, smoothing barrier to applying your foundation perfectly, minimize imperfections, and yes, keep your makeup from clogging your pores. Prime your face! As for setting spray, it’s not a must in your makeup routine, but it does help set your final look. It also helps cut down any powderiness you might have. Plus, that mist feels nice on your skin!
4. You Can’t Apply Your Makeup With Your Fingers
View this post on Instagram
Many people have been told time and time again that applying makeup with your fingers will give you acne, or ruin your makeup. Not so! If done properly, it’s perfectly fine to use your fingers. For foundation, make sure that you’re not dipping your fingers into a jar or pot–that will only cause bacteria to accumulate in the product you’re sticking your hands in again and again. Make sure your fingers are clean, too, and free of any cuts or abrasions.
Fingers especially help when you want to get a really pigmented eyeshadow look, or to apply glitter to your eyelid. So go ahead, try using your fingers out. Just keep in mind that your look might not be as smooth as it would be if you’d used a brush or sponge.
5. Vegan Eyeshadow Is Always Safe
View this post on Instagram
Many companies (including the biggest Sephora ones) proudly declare that their eyeshadow is vegan and cruelty-free–and that’s great! But sometimes, the compromises they make to ensure those things can be a disadvantage to you. In particular, some vegan reds, purples, and oranges are not actually eye safe. For most people, nothing will happen. For some, the reaction can range from mild staining to actual skin irritation and swelling.
If you have sensitive skin, keep an eye on how you react to any red pigments. The red dye used in vegan eyeshadow palettes is not FDA approved for use near the eye area.
6. Your Concealer Should Always Be Lighter Than Your Foundation
View this post on Instagram
Modern-day makeup is all about highlighting and contouring – and much of that is done with concealer. However, if you’re using concealer for its intended purpose, aka concealing blemishes or undereye bags, lighter isn’t always better. For true elimination of the red from acne or the blue and purple from undereye bags, a concealer wheel with specialized colours is your best bet. Then, when you’re done cancelling out the discoloration you don’t want, move on to using your light concealer to highlight the parts of your face that you want to have dimension.
Featured image: Instagram/ @nikkietutorials
Wouldn’t it be great if you could spend a little less time in front of the mirror getting ready in the morning, clear some space on your bathroom counter and maybe even save some money along the way? Say hello to multitasking beauty products.
When have you actually had the luxury of being able to do just one thing at a time? Probably not that often. We’re a generation of multitaskers; we watch Netflix while we cook dinner, we answer emails while brushing our teeth, we call our mothers while commuting home from work – we do it all simultaneously. And our beauty routine should be no exception.
From lipstick that doubles as blush to moisturizer that becomes primer, multitasking beauty products are perfect for those always on the go. Consider these products your secret allies, ready to save the day. Here are 8 of the best multitasking beauty products that are sure to save you time.
Benefit’s Benetint
Benefit’s Benetint is a go-to among makeup experts and beauty lovers alike. It’s a kiss-proof and smudge-proof sheer tint that gives you a perfectly flushed look. It’s rose-tint provides lips and cheeks with an innocent yet provocative glow that will keep everyone guessing.
NARS The Multiple
Arguably NARS’ most iconic invention, The Multiple is its cream-to-powder multipurpose stick for eyes, cheeks, lips and body. You can literally do a full face of makeup with just this stick. It’s quick and easy to apply with its creamy texture and sheer colour to create fresh, glowy effects anywhere and everywhere.
Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant
Created back in 1930 by Elizabeth Arden herself, this award-winning cream does more than just hydrate skin. It can soothe sunburns, rehydrate chapped lips, heal rough elbows and calluses, keep eyebrows in place, make your eyelids shiny and even maintain the health of your cuticles. There are so many different ways to use this classic cream.
Pantene Flexible Hold Hairspray
Hairspray is a lifesaver, but not just when it comes to the matters of your hair. No eyebrow gel? Spray on a toothbrush and tame away. Fashion emergency? Spray it on the ends of a run in your tights to stop it from spreading. Static cling? Spritz on areas of your skirt or dress that are bunching. Using a flexible hold hairspray option ensures little residue and no crunchy aftermath.
Maybelline Master Contour V-Shape Duo Stick
Contouring has never been so quick and simple. Maybelline’s Master Contour V-Shape Duo Stick creates the illusion of shape and highlight in just two easy steps. Apply and blend the dark shade along the jawline and the hallows of your cheeks for structure then use the light shade to enhance the high points of your face.
Shiseido Translucent Loose Powder
Loose, colourless powder can be used for much more than blotting shine. First off, it’s like the Magic Eraser of makeup, toning down bronzer, blush or even eyeshadow if you’ve applied too much. It can also help to blur the edges of a smokey eye, matte your lipstick, can thicken lashes between coats and even be substituted for dry shampoo in a pinch.
CoverGirl LiquilineBlast Eyeliner Pencil
If you’ve only been using your eyebrow pencil for your brows, you’ve been underestimating its power. With a creamier eyebrow pencil, lining your lashes is just the start. Scribble it all over your lids for a cream eyeshadow effect or you can blend it along your cheekbones for a little bit of contour. Eyes, brows and contour all in one.
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish
MAC’s Mineralize Skinfinish is a luxurious pressed powder with multi-mineral complex that adds highlights to literally anywhere you want. This velvety soft powder has a radiant finish and comes in six glowy shades. You can use it as a highlighter on your face or body, on your cheeks as a soft-focus blush or blend eyeshadow looks.
Did we miss any great multitasking beauty products? Let us know in the comments!
Featured image: Instagram/ @sephora
Posts you might be interested in:
22 Beauty Hacks to Get the Most Out of Your Makeup
Here’s Why Counterfeit Makeup Is a Real Threat to Your Health
6 Korean Beauty Products that People are Freaking Out About Right Now
8 Genius Beauty Products that will Help Banish Acne, Wrinkles
5 Awesome Dupes for High End Beauty Essentials
Whether you’re a beauty aficionado, total newb, or somewhere in between, chances are you spend a lot on makeup. A recent study in People Style stated that the average woman spends $15,000 on beauty products in her lifetime! While there’s nothing wrong with wanting to be your best self (#Iwokeuplikethis), it makes sense to save money where you can by using products effectively. Take a look at the 20 best beauty hacks to get the most out of your makeup below.
1. Apply foundation at the centre of the face and blend out.
Avoid the dreaded cake face with this trick. If you start from the outside going in, it can result in harsh, unnatural lines. Blending from the centre of your face pulls the product out, resulting in a faded look with seamless edges. You’ll also end up finishing your look with less product.
2. Apply bronzer in a 3 shape.
If the Kim K. contour seems like way too much effort for your beauty routine, try this quick bronzer trick for a quick contour. Apply your bronzer in the shape of a 3 starting at your temples to make your cheekbones and jawline more pronounced.
3. Use soap to set your brows.
Stop buying eyebrow gel! Keep your eyebrows in place throughout the day and simultaneously make your brows look thicker with a bar of soap. Run a spoolie over the bar and brush it through the hairs for a feathery texture. Head here for full instructions.
4. Test foundation on your neck.
When buying foundation, finding a seamless shade is imperative. Rather than testing the foundation on your arm or face, swatch it on your neck. No one looks good with a face two shades darker than their neck and chest.
5. Avoid harsh lines when filling brows.
Instead of drawing solid lines, use short flicks to fill in your brows – almost like you’re mimicking the appearance of a hair. This results in a more natural looking brow.
6. Apply foundation BEFORE concealer.
Many people think of concealer as the base, but apply foundation first. If you do it the other way around, blending out your foundation will remove concealer, meaning you’ll use more than you need to.
7. Make the arch of your eyebrow darker.
When filling your brows in, define the shape by playing up your arches. The outer portions (where your eyebrow starts and finishes) should be lighter, while you should focus the heaviest amount of product where your natural arch is.
8. Wash your makeup brushes.
Sometimes it seems impossible to achieve clear, radiant skin, but FYI, your makeup brushes could be the culprit. Wash them weekly with a mild face soap to get rid of bacteria. Cleaner bristles will also result in better makeup application.
9. Don’t throw out shattered powdered.
Dropping a compact on the floor can seriously ruin a morning, but there’s no need to despair. You can rebuild your compact by collecting the broken pieces, pouring in a couple of drops of rubbing alcohol, and using your fingers to reshape. Let it dry and your compact is good as new.
Most of us are guilty of this; pumping mascara seems like an innate habit. However, the motion forces air into the tube, which can result in bacteria growth. Instead, try swiping the mascara brush on the inside of the tube, pulling it out at an angle, and then wiping any excess product off with a tissue.
11. Line the outside of your lips with concealer.
Don’t just apply lip liner and lipstick on your lips, but use concealer to sharpen the edges as well. Not only will the lipstick line look clean, the concealer will also keep your lipstick from bleeding out.
12. Don’t use the same concealer to cover pimples and under your eyes.
The concealer you use under your eyes should be a shade lighter than your natural skin tone. However, using a lighter shade concealer on a blemish will end up highlighting the pimple instead of hiding it. Dab a concealer the same shade as your skin on pimples and imperfections.
13. Don’t apply foundation with upward strokes.
First off, let’s start by saying that everyone has a bit of fuzz on their face. Applying foundation upwards and against the grain of these tiny hairs will result in the peach fuzz becoming more visible. Pat the foundation on or blend outwards and downwards for a more airbrushed look.
14. Add moisturizer to your face products for a dewy finish.
You may have heard the term “strobing” within the beauty world… Well, it’s all about enhancing your natural features by using light reflecting products. Add moisturizer to your foundation or concealer for a less intense strobing effect. The moisturizer will help add shine to the areas of your face that catch the light.
15. Use baby powder for fuller, longer lashes.
If the struggle is real when it comes to applying falsies, try this instead. Apply one coat of mascara, dip a Q-tip in baby powder and then run it along your eyelashes, focusing on the ends. Add a second coat of mascara and your eyelashes will instantly look longer.
16. Fake beauty marks to hide blemishes.
We’ve all experienced pesky blemishes that just won’t seem to go away. Even worse, the blemish is crusty or protruding. Instead of packing concealer on (which can actually look worse), apply a regular amount of concealer, some setting powder and then dab a matte brown eyeshadow on top. Sounds weird – but voila your blemish is now a beauty mark.
17. Use dots to get symmetrical winged eyeliner.
When applying winged eyeliner, usually one side is makeup artist-worthy while the other… let’s just say it ain’t pretty. Make your winged eyeliner symmetrical by applying dots first – kind of like a road map – and then connecting them to create a precise line on both sides.
18. Soak your mascara tube in a cup of hot water.
If you find your mascara is getting clumpy too quickly, toss it into a cup of hot water while it’s sealed. This will loosen the product from the sides of the tube and allow for an easier, clump-free application.
Using highlighter under your brows can look a little fake and add too much spotlight under your arch. Instead, use a concealer for a more subtle approach.
20. Use peppermint oil with lip gloss to plump your lips.
Don’t waste your money on expensive lip plumping products. Instead, put a couple drops of peppermint oil on a Q-tip and swipe across your lips. Rub your lips together to make sure it’s coated evenly and then put your favourite lip gloss on top. If you love the results, you can even add peppermint oil to a tube of lip gloss with a dropper.
21. Broken lipstick? Save it by melting it back together.
There’s nothing more annoying than buying a brand new lipstick and having it break right in half upon first application. But the next time it happens, you can fix it by melting the two sections back together and leaving it in the fridge to set.
This might seem like a no brainer, but you can get the most out of any beauty product that comes in a squeezable tube by simply cutting off the end. Squeeze the leftovers into a resealable container (think pill or contact lens cases) to make the most out of every last drop.
Do you know any beauty hacks that we’ve missed? Share with us in the comment section.
Posts you might be interested in:
10 things you should always buy at Dollarama
8 Genius Beauty Products that will Help Banish Acne, Wrinkles & More
5 Awesome Dupes for High-End Beauty Essentials
How to Get Free Beauty Samples in Canada
6 Korean Beauty Products that People are Freaking Out About Right Now