The art of makeup doesn’t mean you have to have a bag full of high-end products, it’s about knowing how to use them effectively, so the good news is you can do so on a budget. The right techniques can take your look from basic to brilliant, all while saving you time and frustration. Try these pro secrets to achieve a polished and long-lasting look.
Prime with Skincare, Not Just Primer
The secret to flawless makeup starts long before you reach for your primer, because healthy, well-prepped skin is the ultimate base. Think of skincare as the undercoat: a rich moisturiser tailored to your skin type keeps dryness at bay, while a serum with active ingredients can smooth and plump your complexion.
Apply Foundation with a Damp Sponge
Ever wonder how makeup artists achieve that airbrushed, skin-like finish? It’s all about the damp sponge, because instead of streaks from a brush or cakiness from over-application, a damp sponge presses the foundation into your skin, creating a soft, even coverage, while the tapping motion is key to a natural result.
Colour-Correct for a Flawless Base
Covering redness or dark circles with just foundation can sometimes leave your makeup looking ashy or uneven, and that’s where colour correction comes in. The idea might sound a bit intimidating, but it’s actually simple: green tones cancel out redness from blemishes or rosacea, peach or orange hides blue-toned under-eye circles, and lavender can brighten dull or yellowish areas.
Set Your Eyebrows with Soap
Forget expensive brow gels; soap is the unsung hero of a fluffy, defined brow look. The trick is to use a clear bar of soap—glycerin-based ones are best—lightly dampened with water, coat a spoolie with a small amount of soap and brush through your brows, styling them into place.
Mix Liquid Highlighter with Foundation
For those who love a soft, radiant glow that doesn’t scream “highlighter,” mixing liquid illuminator with your foundation is a game-changer, because a few drops added to your foundation create a luminous finish. This technique is particularly great for dull or tired-looking skin, as it gives the illusion of being lit from within.
Use Lipstick as Blush
Here’s a classic hack that’s stood the test of time: using your lipstick as blush, because it’s perfect for those on-the-go moments when you want to keep your makeup bag light. Simply dab a small amount onto the apples of your cheeks and blend with your fingers or a sponge.
Double Up on Mascaras
If you’ve been using just one mascara, it’s time to rethink your routine, as pro makeup artists often layer two formulas to achieve maximum impact. Start with a lengthening mascara to separate and elongate your lashes, then follow up with a volumising one for that extra boost of drama.
Tightline for Bigger Eyes
Tightlining is a trick that takes your eye makeup to the next level without looking overdone. It involves lining your upper waterline—the area just beneath your lashes—with a waterproof pencil, which makes your lashes appear naturally fuller and your eyes more defined, perfect for days when you want to skip heavy liner or shadow.
Heat Your Eyelash Curler
If you’ve ever curled your lashes only to have them fall flat minutes later, heating your curler could be the solution, and you can warm it up with a hairdryer or under hot water (just be sure to test the temperature first), then curl as usual. The added heat helps your lashes hold their shape much better, similar to how heated styling tools work on your hair.
Bake Your Concealer for Creaseless Wear
Baking isn’t just for Instagram trends; it’s a tried-and-true technique for long-lasting, crease-free under-eye concealer. After applying concealer, use a fluffy brush to pack a generous amount of translucent powder onto the area and let it sit for a few minutes, and this process “bakes” the product into your skin, ensuring it stays put all day.
Highlight the Inner Corners of Your Eyes
A small but mighty trick for looking instantly awake is to add a touch of highlighter to the inner corners of your eyes by using a shimmery champagne or light pearl shade and applying it with a small detail brush. This tiny touch reflects light in just the right way, brightening your entire face.
Blend Eyeshadow Upwards for Lift
Eyeshadow placement can make all the difference, especially if you want your eyes to appear more lifted, so instead of following the natural curve of your crease, blend your shadow slightly upwards and outwards, toward the end of your brow. This technique creates the illusion of a more open, lifted eye shape, and you can pair it with a lighter shade on the lid.
Line Your Lips Before Applying Lipstick
Before applying lipstick, outline your lips with a liner that matches your natural lip tone or your lipstick shade. This step helps prevent your colour from feathering and gives you a clean, polished edge—and you can even slightly overline for a fuller pout (but keep it subtle for the most natural effect).
Freeze Your Beauty Blender
If your skin tends to look red or puffy in the mornings, this hack is for you: pop your beauty blender in the fridge or freezer for a few minutes before using it. The chilled sponge feels refreshing, and it also helps calm your skin while blending your makeup.
Use Setting Spray Between Layers
Did you know that setting spray, despite its name, isn’t just for the final step? It works wonders when used throughout your makeup routine, so after applying foundation, powder, or even blush, try giving your face a light spritz. This technique locks in each layer and creates a seamless, skin-like finish.
Choose Your Contour Shade Wisely
The trick to a great contour is all about mimicking the natural shadows of your face, therefore look for cooler, ashier tones rather than warm bronzers. Apply sparingly under your cheekbones, along your jawline, and at your temples, blending carefully for a subtle, sculpted effect, where less is more.
Apply Lip Balm Before Eyeshadow for Glossy Lids
Glossy lids have that chic, editorial vibe, but they can be tricky to achieve, so a simple hack is using a dab of clear lip balm on top of your eyeshadow. It gives a shiny, high-fashion finish without the mess of traditional glosses, and you can even skip the shadow altogether and just wear the balm for a more understated look.
Conceal Strategically
Think precision over quantity for concealer, so instead of layering it all over, target specific areas, and use a peach-toned concealer under your eyes to counteract darkness. You should then use a shade matching your skin tone on blemishes, and a slightly lighter tone to highlight key areas.
Brush Your Lips Before Lipstick
Smooth lips are the foundation of great lipstick application, therefore before applying your favourite shade, gently exfoliate your lips with a clean toothbrush or a sugar scrub. This removes dead skin and ensures the colour glides on evenly, and you can then follow with a hydrating lip balm to keep your pout soft and supple all day.
Experiment with Multi-Use Products
If you love keeping things simple, multi-use products are a must. Tinted moisturisers with SPF save you from layering too many products, and sticks that double as blush, lip colour, or eyeshadow streamline your routine—perfect for busy mornings or when you’re travelling and need to pack light.