“Treat your makeup like jewelry for the face. Play with colors, shapes, structure—it can transform you.” – François Nars

When it comes to makeup, most of us have learned the basics, such as how to remove waterproof mascara, where to apply blush, and how to disguise a zit with the appropriate concealer.

Even if you’ve been wearing eye shadow and foundation for decades, there are some advanced techniques that will have you wondering, “How did I not know this?” So you’ve come to the perfect place if you want to discover a few smart beauty secrets that will save you time and money while making you appear more stunning than ever!

We’ve picked together the top tips and tricks advised by makeup artists and cosmetic junkies alike, from tried-and-true beauty insider secrets to the makeup methods celebs rely on (we’re looking at you, highlighting and contouring).

Whether you’re trying to remedy common makeup issues like creasing, smearing, or fading, or simply want to switch up your appearance, here are the top makeup hacks you should try right now.

Create your own tinted moisturizer at home.

You don’t have to discard your foundation in the summer if you want something lighter – you can turn it into a tinted moisturizer.

Mix equal amounts of foundation and moisturizer in your palm with a cent size quantity of each.

Add a few drops of gel bronzer for a summery tan look. Add a few drops of liquid highlighter for a dewy, glowy look.”

Taking care of your skin allows you to apply beautiful makeup. Before applying any makeup always prepare your face so it can serve you well in the world of makeup for both everyday and special occasion looks.

Don’t put foundation on your wrists to see whether it works.

While swiping foundation or concealer on your inner arm to test if it matches your skin tone at the store is convenient, it’s not really precise.

“Foundation and concealer should be tested on your face or neck, not your arm or hand. Because your hand is most likely a different color than your face, this is the only method to get a close match!”

Make sure your lashes are powdered.

What’s the secret to longer, fluffier lashes? A small amount of transparent powder. Dust your lashes with a light application of loose powder after your initial coat of mascara to give them more volume and make them appear fuller. You’ll notice a change yourself if you apply a second layer of mascara to hide the dustiness.

In a triangle, apply concealer.

Rather than dabbing concealer under your eyes, apply it in an upside-down triangle to brighten any dark circles and attract attention to your pupils.

As an eyeliner, use eye shadow.

What, no eyeliner? “Don’t worry, your eye shadow palette will suffice.” Simply dampen an angle brush with water or setting spray before using.

After dipping the wet brush into your eye shadow, line your eyelids as you would with regular liner. Allow the wet shadow line to dry before softly running a Q-tip along your lash line and blending for a smoky finish.

Make sure your brows are in place.

If you don’t have any brow gel on hand, try this DIY approach to keep even the most unruly brows in place. “Using a clean spoolie or toothbrush, brush your brows into place with a small quantity of hair gel or hairspray. Quick and simple!

Your cupid’s bow should be highlighted.

Highlighter attracts attention to specific areas of your face, making them appear larger — and you can apply this same idea to your lips to make them appear fuller.

Simply dab some highlighter on the cupid’s bow of your lips after applying lipstick, and you’ll notice a difference right immediately.

Use a translucent powder to set your lipstick.

This old-school technique has been around since the time of your grandmother. And there’s a reason for that: it works. As you normally would, apply your favorite lipstick.

After that, cover your lips with a tissue and apply translucent powder over the tissue. You’ll have a matte pout that won’t budge all night.

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