Try face gloss for a natural glow
Face gloss is a clear gel that reflects light for a believable ‘no make-up’ effect. Dab a bit along the tops of your cheekbones (and even your eyelids and lips) to add a healthy-looking luminosity without glitter.
OUR PICK: CIATÉ LONDON DEWY STIX LUMINOUS HIGHLIGHTING BALM, $67.76
Nail a perfect mani
To keep polish on your nails (and off of the skin around them), apply a small amount of skincare ointment around the edges of your nails before painting on the colour. Wait for your manicure to dry and then wash your hands – any polish that has landed on top of the ointment will wash off.
OUR PICK: Lanolips 101 Ointment The Original Multipurpose Superbalm, $18.95
Use dry shampoo before bed
Dry shampoo is a hair saviour when you don’t have time to wash, but you can get more out of your bottle by applying it at night prior to going to sleep. That way the formula gets absorbed as you rest, so there’s less risk of powdery residue, and your hair will look clean and refreshed when you wake up in the morning.
OUR PICK: BATISTE ORIGINAL DRY SHAMPOO, $17
Pick a skin-specific concealer
To get optimal results, consider your main eye-area concerns when choosing a cover-up. For puffiness, try a matt formula and avoid anything creamy or luminous, which can exacerbate bags. If you have dark circles, look for a brightening or peach-tinted concealer to counteract shadows. For lines, choose a lightweight cream that won’t settle into and emphasise creases.
Choose a blush formula based on your needs
One kind of blush doesn’t suit all skin types. Thanks to their blurring, oil-absorbing properties, powders are best for those with oily skin or large pores; the emollience of cream blushes makes them good for dry skin or those looking for a dewy finish; and for those with combination skin, gel or liquid formulas deliver staying power with a sheer finish that’s not drying or overly luminous.
Get groomed brows in no time
No need for a complicated eyebrow routine to get fuller, defined arches. Just grab a brush-on brow pomade. These combine the filling and tinting of an eyebrow pencil or powder, the taming of a brow gel and the shaping of a brush in one swipe for a foolproof flattering effect.
OUR PICK: BENEFIT COSMETICS GIMME BROW+ VOLUMIZING EYEBROW GEL, $45
Go light on concealer
Contrary to popular belief, heavy layering of concealer won’t erase under-eye woes like dark circles, bags and crow’s feet – it can actually draw attention to them by sinking into lines or caking. Instead, start by dabbing a thin layer of sheer concealer around eyes to even out your skin tone, adding more only to problem areas as needed.
OUR PICK: REVLON COLORSTAY SKIN AWAKEN CONCEALER, $26.95
Master eye make-up
Follow this handy visual reference: Apply a single or base eyeshadow shade all over the lid; for depth, add a darker colour to the crease. Glide eyeliner along the upper lashline, plus the outer V, waterline and lower lashline for more impact, if desired. Dot highlighter (or cover-up one to two shades lighter than skin) onto inner corner and browbone to brighten eyes.
OUR PICK: MAYBELLINE CITY MINI EYESHADOW PALETTE IN MATTE ABOUT TOWN, $19.95
Make eyes pop with beige liner
The classic make-up pro secret for illuminating eyes by lining them with white eyeliner has been given a modern upgrade: Rather than using white, which can be harsh, glide a beige eyeliner along your lower waterline only.
OUR PICK: RIMMEL SCANDAL EYES WATERPROOF KOHL EYELINER NUDE 005, $51.75
Instantly plump your lips
No need for pricey injections or special plumping products to get fuller-looking lips. Instead, try this simple make-up artist trick: After applying lipstick, tap a dot of highlighter along your Cupid’s bow (the little dip in your upper lip) and in the centre of your bottom lip, either alone or on top of lip colour.
OUR PICK: REVLON INSTAFIX HIGHLIGHTING STICK, $29.95
Care for cuticles
Healthy cuticles and nails go hand in hand (literally). But don’t wait for painful, unsightly tears in your cuticle skin to start caring for them. Every night, massage a cuticle oil on and around nails to keep the skin soft. (Store it with your skincare products or on your bedside table for easy access.)
OUR PICK: OPI PROSPA NAIL & CUTICLE OIL TO GO, $17.95
Wake up with softer lips
Before you go to bed at night, apply a moisturising lip balm to condition your lips while you sleep. Twice a week, add a gentle lip scrub before applying the balm for a soft, smooth pout all year round.
OUR PICKS: LANEIGE LIP SLEEPING MASK, $28 & BURT’S BEES CONDITIONING LIP SCRUB, $10.99
'Stamp' your lashes to make them look fuller
A quick way to add depth to your eyes without using eyeliner: mascara stamping. When applying mascara, gently press the brush against the underside of your eyelashes to give them a fuller, darker look – almost like eyeliner, but more natural.
OUR PICK: MAYBELLINE LASH SENSATIONAL SKY HIGH MASCARA, $19.95
Erase smudged make-up easily
Unless you’re a pro, almost everyone gets mascara, eyeliner or eyeshadow smeared on their skin when applying make-up. But there’s no need to take it all off and start again. Instead of wiping it with your finger, which can worsen the smudge, dip a cotton swab or a small make-up brush in liquid make-up remover, then dab it on the spot to remove the errant colour.
OUR PICK: GARNIER MICELLAR CLEANSING WATER, $9.89
This article originally appeared in the Jan/Feb 2022 issue of Good Housekeeping.
Newsletter_(1)_(1)_(1).jpg&h=90&w=90&c=1&s=1)
