DIY Makeup Tricks for Women

Flip Your Bobby Pin

“Most people don’t know that the rippled side is supposed to lay against your scalp,” says celebrity hairstylist Nathaniel Hawkins. Those little waves are what anchor your hair to your head. Who knew?

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Give Your Pin More Grip

Listen up, fine-haired girls: Spritz your bobby pins with dry shampoo before you put them in your hair and they’ll be less likely to slide out, says Dove celebrity hairstylist Mark Townsend. [Tweet this tip!]

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Apply Blush in an X

X marks the spot—on your cheeks. For the most natural-looking flush, apply your powder blush in an “X” motion, says Stila celebrity makeup artist Sarah Lucero. This ensures blended, flawless application. No edges, just perfectly pigmented cheeks.

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Whiten Your Nails

If dark polish has left you with discolored, yellow nails, scrub them with whitening toothpaste. Make your own with one tablespoon of peroxide and two and a half tablespoons of baking soda. Rub the mixture on nails and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing off with warm water, says manicurist Jin Soon Choi.

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Stick It to Wrinkles

Not ready for Botox? Prevent lines that can come about through muscle contractions when you sleep with Scotch tape. Use the sticky stuff to smooth out wrinkle-prone areas (like your forehead), says Umbreen Sheikh, founder of Wink Brow Bar. [Tweet this tip!]

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Turn Eyeshadow to Liquid Liner

Visine refreshes eyes in more than one way: Use the solution to transform any powder eyeshadow into liquid liner, says celebrity makeup artist Troy Surratt. Add a few drops along the outer edge of the shadow pan, dip an eyeliner brush into it, and apply to lids.

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Stop Raccoon Eyes with a Post-It

It’s happened to all of us: You’ve just applied the most perfect smoky eyeshadow only to realize you now have dark circles from eyeshadow that’s fallen onto your under eye area. To prevent it, Surratt says to stick a Post-It or piece of toilet paper under your eyes before you apply your shadow.

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Think 3-W

While it’s tempting to dust bronzer all over your face, the result is usually more garish than glow-y. For the most believable bronze, stick to the number three. Starting in the center of your face, run a bronzer-dipped makeup brush along the curve of your hairline and down your cheekbone. Then sweep it back toward your ear and down your jawline. Repeat on the other side of your face with a reverse three. Extra credit: Dust bronzer on once more, this time in the shape of a “W.” Sweep it down your cheekbones, up the bridge of your nose, and down your other cheekbone. Surratt says you can use both tricks at once, as long as you keep the application light.

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Make(up) Your Own Dry Shampoo

Got greasy hair and no dry shampoo on hand? Use a makeup brush to dust your roots with oil-absorbing face powder, says Surratt. In a pinch, swipe hair with blotting papers, he adds. [Tweet this tip!]

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Tone Your Skin with Green Tea

It has long been touted as a top beauty tonic, but sipping the green stuff isn’t the only way to reap its benefits. Cooled green tea makes for an excellent skin toner when applied topically, says David E. Bank, a cosmetic dermatologist in Mount Kisco, NY. “Green tea has a high level of antioxidants and has antiseptic and astringent qualities,” he says. “Plus, it tightens your pores and is gentle on your skin.”

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Detox with Aspirin

To zap a zit fast, dissolve a tablet of salicylic-acid rich aspirin in a small amount of water and apply the paste directly to your pimple. Another aspirin trick: Add a crushed tablet to your shampoo. It acts as a clarifier, removing strand-dulling product buildup, says Kyle White, colorist at Oscar Blandi Salon in New York City.

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Curl Up

We already know that curling lashes wakes up tired eyes instantly, but Lucero’s lash-curling method is a real eye-opener: As you clamp down on the base of your lashes, gently flick your wrist up toward the ceiling. You’ll get more lift at the root, Lucero says.

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