Make-up can be difficult to master, especially with hundreds of trends going around the internet each month; it’s hard to even just establish a daily routine that works for you and your features. However, what happens when you want to look that extra bit special for an occasion, or you want to boost your everyday routine to look younger? Where do you even begin?

 

To avoid spending hours in front of a mirror attempting to upgrade your everyday look to just wipe it all off in the end, we have 5 makeup hacks that can instantly elevate your look. From small tweaks to useful techniques, our expert-approved list for beginners can make you feel confident, so you can go about your day feeling like your best self.

 

So, without further ado, here are 5 hacks that can instantly elevate your look that everyone can benefit from, ranging from beginners to experts. 

 

What Determines How Good Your Makeup Looks?

There can be several reasons why your makeup doesn’t look exactly how you imagined it to, some of which are in your control and others which are not. One of the most obvious factors is your skin’s health. Many consumers spend their time researching the most popular makeup products and brands, only to use them and see no real improvement.

Skincare is just as important, if not more than the products you use, and you need to find products that work with your skin type – rather than against it. Here are the skincare non-negotiables to help elevate your makeup look.

• Start by making sure the skin is cleansed with a water-based cleanser so that the skin doesn’t dry out.
• Follow with a hydrating moisturiser – even better if it’s tailored to your specific skin type.
• Finally, apply a moisturising and gripping face primer evenly across the face.

A second factor that can influence how your makeup sits on the face is the brushes and techniques you use to apply your products. Makeup techniques tend to change depending on what’s trending, but there are a handful of core techniques that have been used and recommended by professionals for decades. Some of these include layering the skin in a strategic order, starting with base products like foundation, contour and concealer, then building powder products on top. 

As well as makeup techniques, which brushes you use will also affect how your makeup applies on the skin. It’s important to recognise that while professionals and makeup enthusiasts will suggest which brushes and makeup accessories to use, the best way to see what works for your skin is to try different brushes out and see which gives the best results. Now let’s explore some of the most popular makeup hacks to elevate your look.

 

1. Use concealers to lift, not just cover

 

Traditionally, concealers are a product used to cover dark circles from busy days and lack of sleep, or to hide any annoying acne. Modern makeup techniques have revealed that concealers have further uses that can instantly help to open your eyes. By placing concealer in special spots, it can open the eyes whilst also lifting the rest of the face for a contoured look.

 

How to do it: Start by placing dots of a concealer lighter than your complexion in a V shape around the eyes. It’s important that you avoid heavy layers so that your makeup doesn’t look heavy and doesn’t crease, which can counteract the effects of this look. Blend upwards onto the cheeks and towards the hairline for a seamless and awake look.

 

1. Prime your face for a long-lasting look

 

One way to ensure that all of your products apply smoothly, whilst also lasting all day long, is to use a good face primer. There are a variety of primers made for each skin type and skin issues. For example, if you have red skin or suffer from rosacea, there are green-based primers which counteract red colours, enabling a smoother base or even primers made for long wear, if you need your makeup to last all day.

 

How to do it: Apply a generous layer of primer to your skin after skincare and before foundation and concealers, not forgetting your eyelids and the outer edges of your face. It’s important to gently put it in to avoid irritation and ensure that all of it is properly rubbed in before you start. 

1. Ombre your lips for a dimensional look

Lips can be difficult to perfect in a routine, especially if you don’t usually wear lipstick. It can also feel impossible to evaluate your look when you have a signature lip colour that you wear every day. This is where technique comes in to transform your look without any additional products, just by using your favourite lipstick or liner in your favourite colour and a bit of gloss or highlighter.  

 

How to do it: You can achieve this look using the ombre technique, which involves focusing most of the product on the outer edge of your lips and then using less product on the centre. It can create a dimensional effect. Top it off with a gloss on the centre of the lips or even a dot of highlighter in the centre and on the cupid’s bow, and your lips can look fuller in a matter of minutes. 

 

4. Sculpt with cream products 

Cream products can be scary to use, due to the amount of blending involved when using them, especially for new beginners. However, cream products can have a high impact on the overall look of your base and makeup. The formula of these products allows for a seamless look as they mimic skin texture, creating a natural and blended look. Cream products are also very accessible now, with drugstores to high end make up companies making cream blushes, bronzers and even cream highlighters, making it easier than ever to have a natural makeup look.

 

How to do it: Apply all of your cream products sparingly to the appropriate areas and, using a finger or a damp sponge, blend upwards in a patting motion to avoid streaks. It’s best to build these products up as they are known to be quite pigmented and allow you to control where the product is going more easily.

 

5.  Set strategically for the perfect finish

Setting makeup can make or break a makeup look. Whether you’re after a dewy look, matte look, or long-lasting makeup that can survive a hectic day, an appropriate setting method can affect the finish and the wear. From power to sprays, you find which method works best for your skin type and your goal for your look.

 

How to do it: If you’re using powder, ensure that you focus on your t-zone areas and under your eyes, as these are the areas that crease the most and are the most oil-prone. Loose powders and sponges are the most effective ways to control oil production and ensure long wear. Alternatively, if you have dry skin and want a dewy look, setting sprays are the most effective method and should be used generously after makeup application.

 

6. Choose an eyeshadow shade that complements your eye colour 

There are an impressive number of different eyeshadow colours and shades to choose from and experiment with. While it can be expressive to use bold and unique colours to stand out from others, you can find an elevated, everyday look by using colours and shades that complement your eye colour. Here are typical tones that blend perfectly with common eye colours:

Blue – Warm neutrals like bronze, copper and warm brown

Brown – Shades like purple, plum, emerald greens and sapphire blue

Green – Red-toned purples like maroon and earthy tones like mocha-brown and khaki

 

How to do it: Using a fluffy brush, blend a darker shade of the colour you choose into the outer crease of the eyelids, taking the product over the eyebrow bones and up to the side of the forehead to snatch the face. With a dense brush, pick a lighter shade of your chosen colour and gently press it onto the inner corners and mid-section of the eyelids. Finish with a glittery colour on the very inside corner of the eyes.