The best beauty hacks are often the ones looking us right in the eye, comfortably sat under our noses for a long time before we realise their function. They spark an 'Ah-ha' moment once applied, their efficacy suddenly making a task all the more easy. Common beauty hacks include perfecting eyeliner, ensuring red lipstick doesn't bleed and smudge-proof nail polish tips – but it doesn't end there. Out of a sea of many, we've collated out 10 best beauty hacks to know. You can thank us later.

Apply foundation before concealer

For some of us this may already be common practice, but one of the simplest ways to elevate your makeup routine is by applying your foundation first, then concealer. Starting with a foundation layer can help minimise redness or discolouration, creating a smooth base for the rest of your products. Then when you apply your concealer. You’ll find yourself using less product and less creasing as the day wears on.

Armani beauty Luminous Silk Foundation 

Apply blush

Blush has fallen off the radar of many when it comes to their makeup routine, however we are complete and utter blush enthusiasts for the dewy glow it can provide. A sweep of powder or dab of cream along the high points of your cheeks easily give off a bright and warm finish, providing depth to the face and leaving you look rejuvenated.

Hourglass Ambient Strobe Lighting Blush

Outline your winged liner for a crisp finish

If Alexa Chung’s now defunct YouTube channel has taught me anything, it is how to apply a winged eye with so much ease, it was to become my signature look in 2020. When wanting to step out with a wing, draw the outline of the shape first – extending the line outwards from eye to temple – and then filling it in will assist you greatly in nailing the shape and ensuring its appearance is smudge free. By using this method, you can also decide on the thickness of the wing as you go. One of the best beauty hacks we've stumbled upon.

Mecca Max Wink Super Ink Eyeliner

Set lip colour with translucent powder and a tissue

Ensuring lip colour doesn’t fade or move after application can be a struggle, especially if you’ve chosen a particularly vibrant shade of red, orange or pink. However, there is a solution involving a tissue and translucent powder to help alleviate this.

Once you have applied your lip colour, place a tissue over your mouth followed by a dusting of translucent powder over the top to help prevent bleeding and budging. Translucent powder placed directly onto the lips may dull the shade, so ensure a tissue is used as a subtle barrier. Matte lipsticks do have a longer staying power, a suitable alternative if you don't feel your MUA skills are yet up to this hack.

MAC Cosmetics Lipstick

Maintain your brows with a spoolie

For those of us with thicker eyebrows or simply without the time to fill them in on any particular day, maintaining their shape can still be achieved in a no fuss way. To tame your brows, simply comb them in an upwards direction with a spoolie, rather than taking the time to fill them in with pencil. And even when you are pencilling and filling in, first prepping brows with a spoolie can make the task simpler. If looking for a combination of the two, a clear brow gel can also do the trick.

Rose Inc Brow Renew Enriched Shaping Gel

Apply your under eye concealer in the shape of a triangle

Once you have applied your foundation – which we know now should be applied first – apply your concealer under your eyes in the shape of an upside-down triangle. This shape helps to conceal dark circles and creates the illusion your face is lifted, drawing the face upwards.

Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer

Tackle the makeup mess before it begins

While not a beauty hack in the traditional sense of application tips, we all know that applying makeup means unpacking our case in what is often a haphazard fashion. Thrown on your bed, the bathroom vanity or even the floor, products can leave a stain or mark if they haven’t been concealed properly. Placing a mat underneath can help alleviate any residual mess that may occur, making the after-application pack up process much more seamless, and one of the best beauty hacks you can employ.

The Glam Mat

Apply eyelash glue with a bobby-pin

For those who apply false eyelashes and abhor unwanted clumps or bumps, applying eyelash glue with a clean bobby pin is a handy solution. Apply a few dots of glue to the band of the lash, then spread evenly using the top of the pin. Once the glue is tacky, apply as usual.

Duo False Lash Adhesive

Speed up the drying time of DIY manicures

Nobody has time to wait for nails to dry, especially if your DIY manicure was a spontaneous decision while waiting for your Uber to arrive. A handy way to speed up the process is by filling a bowl with ice and water, and then proceed to soak your nail for a few minutes after painting. The cold water will set the paint, leaving your talons free for use once again.

Sienna Byron Bay Nail Polish 

Exfoliate your lips before applying lipstick

Kissable, plump, supple. The only adjectives that should apply to your lips. To achieve this, prep your lips prior to applying. A lip colour through giving them a gentle scrub. The exfoliation will remove any dry skin that may be sitting atop the lips, leaving them smoother and adequately prepped for application. Note: Only scrub your lips once a week as you can risk irritation occurring if any more frequent.

Frank Body Lip Scrub

Plump your lashes with translucent powder

If you’re looking to amp up the volume of your lashes, without engaging false lashes to help, there is a solution. To achieve this, dust a smidge of translucent setting powder on lashes between coats of mascara. This helps grip mascara between coats, leaving the illusion that they are fuller and hold more volume.

By Terry Hyaluronic Hydra Powder 

Employ white eyeliner to make your eyes pop...

Vibrant, doey eyes are the aim when wanting to make our face pop. If you’ve applied a sheer or less pigmented eyeshadow and are wanting to make its appearance more vibrant, blending a white eyeliner pencil over the entire eyelid first will intensify the shade.

Morphe M2 Always On Line Eyeliner

... and also use white eyeliner to highlight your brows

Speaking of white eyeliner – the unsung hero of our list – lining below and above your eyebrows with a thick white liner, followed by smudging it with a brush, will help define your brows and provide the illusion of an eye lift.

Image: Instagram