7 Unexpected Beauty Hacks Makeup Artists Use

“When I am working with a client all day and I want to refresh her makeup halfway through (this is also great when you’ve worked all day and need to go out that night but have no time to redo your makeup), instead of layering on more makeup, I will use a makeup wipe and just dab under the eyes and the fold of the nose (or anywhere you crease)—use a dampened beauty blender and stipple it around the area with a light moisturizer. I then add the concealer and stipple again to blend seamlessly into the rest of the makeup. This gives your makeup an instantly refreshed look without having to remove all your makeup.”

—Celebrity makeup artist Coleen Campbell-Olwell

“If we are pressed for time, say for live TV, and don’t have time to apply false eyelashes, I will dip a spoolie eyebrow brush into some loose setting face powder and brush it through the eyelashes before mascara. The powder coats the lashes and gives them thickness and volume in seconds.”

—Celebrity makeup artist Quinn Murphy

Instagram/@chelseahandler

“Use the same product on your lips and cheeks to allow your makeup to look cohesive. Use your cream blush as your lip color or your lip color as your blush—it takes all the guesswork out of choosing your blush or lipstick. For flawless skin that looks completely natural, skip foundation and use a creamy concealer. Dab and blend onto areas only where needed and keep the rest of your skin bare, allowing your real skin to shine through. It’s the fastest way to perfect your complexion using only one product.”

—Celebrity makeup artist Monika Blunder

Instagram/@monikablundermakeup

“As a makeup artist, I tend to get crafty with products and items around the house. For a quick fix, try putting honey on blemishes or dry skin for 10–15 minutes to kill bacteria and add moisture.”

—Celebrity makeup artist Denika Bedrossian 

“To keep a look fresh and makeup looking clean, I like to finish by actually removing a bit. When you’re done with your makeup, take a Q-tip dipped in a little cleansing water and swipe under your eyes, directly under the lash line and gently remove any excess makeup. This will keep any concealer or foundation from setting into fine lines around your eyes. I like to also swipe a Q-tip around the sides of the nose and around the mouth (anywhere makeup can collect and look obvious). This will keep your makeup vibrant.”

Instagram/@tamahk

“If you’re in a pinch or getting ready for a long weekend, try applying a flesh tone cream blush or lipstick on your cheeks, lips and lids for a soft, fresh, monochromatic look.”

—Celebrity makeup artist Carl Ray

“My favorite beauty hack is to use oil-blotting sheets to blot lipstick. They remove all the oils and waxes from the first application of lipstick, but leave behind the pigment, so when you apply the second time you have twice as much pigment for stay-put lips!”

—Celebrity makeup artist Kate Lee