Lately, I’ve been in a real rush to get my makeup on (that’s when I look in the mirror, hours later, and see a smudged mess). And there are plenty of times I don’t even have time to apply it and I go bare-faced the whole day (that’s when I look in the mirror and see a pale, tired-looking stranger staring back at me).
So, when I received the book, InStyle: Ultimate Beauty Secrets, I was really excited. Because FACE it, I need all the help I can get when it comes to tips, tricks and shortcuts.
Here are some of the best ones I learned from the team of beauty editors, dermatologists and makeup artists who had a hand in putting together this guide (there are 200+ in all). I’m hoping it lessens my time in front of the mirror and that when I do happen to catch a glimpse of myself, I can greet that stranger with a smile instead of a sneer.
- For an at-home facial:
Mix one teaspoon of raw oatmeal with one teaspoon of honey. Apply to skin for 5 minutes, then rinse. Honey hydrates; oatmeal’s minerals are soothing.
- Clean your cell phone:
To prevent breakouts on your cheeks and chin, use antibacterial wipes on your phone a few times a week.
- Wash your brushes:
If you use makeup brushes, keep them clean with a clarifying shampoo once a week.
- Look for the ingredient niacin in your cleanser:
It has been proven to increase cell turnover and help with dark spots by ridding the skin of dead cells that contain excess pigment.
- For oil and shine:
Splash your face with cool black tea, which is a natural astringent. Don’t rinse.
- To refresh your complexion:
Dip a washcloth in soy milk and apply to your face once a week for 10 minutes. Soy is a natural skin brightener.
- To calm down a pimple:
Spritzing it with a small amount of nasal decongestant can lessen inflammation, just like it does for your nose.
- Use sunscreen properly:
Apply it 30 minutes before going outside (that’s how long it takes to fully absorb into your skin). Reapply every two hours.
- Calm down unruly brows.
Use clear mascara, brow gel or mustache wax for the extra-stubborn hairs.
- No blush? Use lipstick:
Rub your finger over the lipstick 3-4 times then mix with a bit of moisturizer. Dot on cheeks and blend.
- No eyeliner? Use powder shadow:
Add a few eye drops to the shadow and apply with a fine liner brush.
- Don’t throw out cracked eye shadow:
Instead, pop it out of its tray, crush it and mix with a dab of Vaseline or eye cream. You’ve just created some cream shadow.
- Reduce puffy eyes:
Place a cold compress of cold cucumber slices on eyes for five to ten minutes. Pat with eye cream or gel that’s been stored in the fridge.
- Keep your mascara from drying out:
Don’t pump the want into the tube; this pushes air into it.
- Brow-tweezing tips:
Tweeze after showering so the steam has a chance to open the pores and make it more comfortable. After tweezing, swipe with alcohol to prevent ingrown hairs. Cold cucumber slices or chilled green-tea bags can reduce any redness.
