Ready To Impress

Using dry shampoo is a seemingly simple process. You take your hair, spray it in at the roots to soak up any grease and oil, and then you walk around with a totally refreshed look. But according to Olivia Munn’s stylist Christian Wood, there’s one secret that will totally change the game. “Everyone uses dry shampoo, but very few apply it properly,” he told Elle. “Apply thoroughly at the roots then blast `{`it`}` out with a dryer. Most people rub it into the hair and leave it, but you need to remove the product to get rid of excess dirt and oils.”

Bangs can be hard to deal with—especially if you let them air-dry after a shower, allowing them to get all sorts of kinky and frizzy. Instead of waiting to style them, start working on them immediately for the most flawless results. “When styling bangs, you have to do it right out of the shower,” Sarah Potempa told Self, recommending using a little mousse then lightly blow-drying them with the nozzle aimed downward. To finish them off, pin them to one side for a few minutes using a clip and a tissue to avoid creasing, then switch to the other side. “This gives your bangs the perfect amount of movement and natural bend.” And if you’re still using some of that trusty ol’ hair gel to get your desired look.

There are plenty of different ways to use a curling iron, but if you want to curl like a pro, you have to switch from holding it vertically to horizontally. It sounds weird, but it works—just ask Gwyneth Paltrow and Miranda Kerr’s stylist who certainly knows his way around the tool. “When you wave your hair vertically around the iron, you end up with a big Farrah Fawcett-type style when you really want Victoria’s Secret waves,” Harry Josh told Forbes.

Everyone has experienced taking the time to do their hair only to go outside and have it instantly frizz up. Luckily, Beyoncé’s stylist has a tip that will keep your tresses tame: Doing all the hard work the night before. (It’s a big time-saver, too!) “If you’ve got a big event but your hair is unruly, wash and blow-dry your hair the night before then loosely plait it or twist into a top knot,” Mark Leeson told Glamour. “After sleeping on it, the frizz will have settled and your locks will be smoother, with a natural looking wave.”

The way you put up your hair could be causing major damage—especially if you’re tying it back too tightly. Whether it’s a ponytail or a fancy updo, Mark Hill recommends taking it easy—otherwise you could see balding and other issues pop up in the future: “Over time, this will put a strain on the finer hair around the front hairline and make it go thinner and become weak,” Hill told Style Caster.

Always apply foundation using downward strokes. Most of us have a thin layer of hair on our face, and applying foundation in an upward stroke will make the hair strands stand out. Looking fresh and pink like a peach may be your goal, but highlighting your peach fuzz definitely shouldn’t be.

There are mainly two types of face powder – loose powder and pressed powder, and both come in dewy and matte finishes. It is important to know which one to use for what purpose. Loose powder is basically used to set the makeup in place and make it long-lasting. Though it comes in both tinted and translucent forms, it is best to use the colorless translucent one for setting the makeup as it will not disturb the color of your foundation and concealer. Pressed powder, however, is best suited for touch-ups on the go. Also, a dewy finish gives a glowing appearance to the skin, and a matte one provides a porcelain look with fine textures.

This is also a clever way of reversing the order of applying the product to get smashing results. All you have to do is apply the blush first and then apply the foundation over it. The end result looks like you are glowing naturally from within.

For an instant lift in the eyes, use your highlighter just above the arch of your brows and blend it out. It will not only define your eyebrows perfectly but also have a dramatic impact on the appearance of your entire face.

If you are stuck with an eyeshadow with less pigment or you want that extra pop of color, create a white base by filling in your eyelids with a white eyeliner pencil first.

For a perfect wing, use the scotch tape method. Just stick a scotch tape in an angular fashion on the sides of your eyes and let the ends guide you to achieve that killer winged eyeliner every single time. You can also use a spoon, business card, debit card or basically anything with a straight edge as a guide.

Instead of scrapping your flaky mascara, add a few drops of the same solution you clean your contact lenses with to it. The formula would be back to a usable consistency. You can also put the tube in a glass of warm water to liquefy the formula.

To make sure your pout looks perfect for the longest time, dab a little translucent powder onto your lips after you apply your lipstick. You can also use a colorless eyeshadow for the purpose. If you use a shimmery eyeshadow, it will also act as a highlighter and give your lips that extra dimension.

There is absolutely no excuse for not cleaning your brushes, unless a serious skin breakout is the look you are going for. Unclean brushes are breeding grounds for bacteria and makeup residues impact their performance as well. Clean them with a mild shampoo at least once a week.