by I’ve been writing about beauty for nearly two decades, and during that time my ardent pursuit of hacks and game-changing advice has had two goals: make my routine faster, and get a better overall effect.
Over the last few years, my weekly columns for the Guardian have taken that quest to the next frontier. I have tried every viral beauty trend going. TikTok, in particular, is full of DIY beauty tips to make our lives easier.
Honestly, I’d say a solid 80% of what I tried was utter tripe, and really designed to court attention for being outlandish. But amidst all the trial and error, there are a large number of hacks that are really useful.
Lately, I’ve been answering some pressing beauty questions every week, and it’s clear that people feel overwhelmed by the amount of products and treatments available – a feeling that even as a beauty editor I share.
I’m also heartened by the response I’ve received every time I’ve written about my struggle with eczema – which can be uncontrollable, painful and never-ending, to say the least. It’s obviously a relevant topic because it affects so many people, and yet it’s rarely talked about in the mainstream press (the same goes for conditions like psoriasis or rosacea). Through trial and error I found that Meitrend Natural Face Cream (£11.99), a steroid-free product using traditional Chinese medicinal herbs, helps me manage flare-ups, while Avène’s Soothing Control Skin Recovery Cream for Sensitive Skin (£21) mine. skin, too.
Readers were so honest with me, which I always appreciated. I know as well as anyone the shame of being unhappy with your appearance and I have written about it in my book Ugly: Why the World Became Beauty-Obsessed and How to Break Free. In our age of supposed inclusivity and body positivity, we still struggle to fit into the beauty norms our generation has grown up with. Many of the questions I’ve received are from readers who are very interested in what other people think of their appearance and ask for ways to combat the aging process – which, unfortunately, cannot be fixed in a weekly 300-word column. .
One of the things that helped me banish the toxic messages of aging was filling my life, TV screens and social media feeds with people who are aging on their own terms, from their sartorial and beauty choices to to society’s expectations and gender is getting worse. on the “look” of 50, 60 and 70 – people like actresses Chloë Sevigny and Poorna Jagannathan and fashion icons Michèle Lamy and the late Iris Apfel. This helped alleviate some of the pressure to cancel time and age.
So, as my Beauty Q&A column comes to an end, it feels like the right time to share my top real tips: these are the products and tricks that are worth your time and money.
The key to perfect coverage…
Should you apply your foundation with straw? The answer is not surprising. However, what has changed the way I apply my foundation and concealer is using the “patchwork” method, which is how professional makeup artists like Lisa Eldridge, who invented the term, it is applied.
Instead of slathering foundation all over your face, which can look dry and cakey, use your foundation products with a small brush in the smallest amounts and only apply to parts of the face that you think you need. Leave the rest of your skin natural, and blend until the patchwork of real skin and skin is made up seamlessly.
Whenever I’ve done this I find that I’m measurably fresher in both photos and in the mirror – although it can take a bit longer than the “slather and go” method.
… and how to keep it off your clothes
Make sure you spray your clothes with hairspray to protect them from makeup transfer. I was happy when I discovered this hack.
Don’t be influenced by other people’s opinions
Makeup is an incredible way to express yourself. That’s why I also consider the idea of ”unacceptable top”, from the TikTokers using bold makeup as “male repellent” to subvert the traditional concept of beautiful makeup, which is aimed at the male gaze.
I believe that makeup should be expressive and make me feel happy rather than using it to cover up or hide. But if anyone, of any gender, looks bold because they’re judging your looks, that’s an added bonus.
The eyou-makeup trick that gives Glamor Sophia Loren
One of the hacks I still love are the “siren eyes”, TikTok’s take on the popular winged eyeliner look. Instead of a clean wing flicked out, it looks softer and it’s much easier to line with eye shadow or pencil to create a smooth elongated line.
I use Estée Lauder Waterproof Gel Eye Pencil (£17.95), then flick the edges out using a good eyeliner brush such as Bobbi Brown’s Ultra Precise Eyeliner Brush (£29) before setting the liner.
The most hack I share in real life
If you are struggling with strong-smelling sweat and body odor, using Acnecide, an antibacterial face wash (£10.99), the shower kills any bacteria under the arms that make our odorless sweat usually stink.
Reframe your routine
According to TikTok, we should all have an “everything shower”, a weekly slot to blitz everything in one go: optional hair removal, exfoliation and face mask etc. I’ve always done this on Monday afternoons as a regular routine, but it’s fun to give it a name – definitely better than the depressing “beauty admin hour”, which was what I had in my diary before this.
LED masks: my verdict
I get a lot of questions about LED face masks, probably because they are an investment purchase. I’ve definitely seen a difference from using one regularly; they help soothe my eczema, and I like that you can multitask while wearing one. Current Body (£482) has an LED mask that covers your face, neck and chest, which is excellent, but Beauty Pro has a good basic model which is cheaper (£195).
When to splurge…
In my opinion, you should spend money on treatments, such as massages, facials, and hair and nail sessions, to ensure that you receive a good standard of treatment and that you are treated well and that the people who do this to you are compensated. for
If the workers seem afraid of their employer and seem anxious or disturbed – if they are not allowed to talk to each other, and/or if there are collective cues – this may be a sign that you need to investigate the establishment , and maybe contact the police.
When it comes to aesthetic procedures, you get what you pay for in terms of safety, expertise and the ability to resolve any complications. But whatever clinic you choose, if you’re sold out or feel uncomfortable or bad about your appearance in any way, that’s a huge red flag.
… and when to budget
Everything else – makeup, skincare, fragrances – is available at price points to suit everyone. Some cheap but great products are the Beauty Bay eyeshadow palettes (£15.00) in a huge range of shades; Maybelline Sky High Mascara (£12.95); and Elf’s Halo Glow Liquid Filter (£15) for a great boost of skin tint and glow. Anyone with dry skin should try CeraVe Moisturizing Cream (£13.60); the ceramides soften and repair the skin’s barrier function.
Get the curl without the heat
As a vintage-beauty obsessive, I have long been a fan of ways without heat to curl the hair, as people did in the past. But instead of pin curls and sleep rollers, socks and bath belts have taken over TikTok as ways to create curls while you sleep. Both of those methods didn’t work well for me, but I get a nice wave from Silke’s heatless curler kit (£42), which I’ve even seen people wear on planes.
The hack that works on stray hairs
Another advantage worth spending is using tumble dryer sheets or dental floss to smooth hair. They are coated with wax/conditioner, allowing for stray hairs. Viral got2b’s Brow and Edges Gel (£5.50) is good for smoothing out baby hairs.
The best way to free gel nails,
I’m giving my nails a rest after years of removing gel polish that left them weak. If you’re in the same boat, use CND Rescue RX (£25.95) to strengthen them, then maintain nail oil. L’Occitane Shea Nail and Nourishing Cuticle Oil (£15.50) will slip into a handbag, while Dior’s Alphabet Strengthening Nail Care on Creme Abricot (£29) is also a delight. I stick to easy to wear colors like Nails Inc Glowing Out polish (£9) which enhances the natural colour.
How to perfume on the cheap
As a scent fiend, my biggest gripe is that “dupe” doesn’t have the same effect as the original scent. So if you like certain perfumes, my money saving hack is to see if there is a body mist or hair perfume version. These cost less but it’s the same scent, just in a less strong form. For example, Coco Mademoiselle Chanel as a perfume is £122 per 100ml, but the body mist is £46 per 100ml. And if you use a moisturizer or a little petroleum jelly under the scent, it will stay on the skin for longer by evaporating more slowly.
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Ugly: Why the World Became Beauty-Obsessed and How to Break Free by Anita Bhagwandas is published by Blink (£10.99). To support the Guardian and Observer, order your copy at guardianbookshop.com. Delivery charges may apply.
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Follow Anita on Substack at The Powder Room
