57 Life-Changing Makeup Tips Every Woman Should Know

We recently asked members of BuzzFeed Community for their most life-changing makeup tips. We couldn't believe what we learned, so it was only right to share the tips with everyone.

1. ----For winged eyeliner:
   Place your pen at the outermost part of your nostril, then angle it upwards to meet the outer edge of your eye. Lower the tip of your liner where it lands and draw down toward your lash line. Watch this tutorial to get a real handle on things.

—Submitted by Kylie Casino (Facebook)

1. -----For a smoother mascara application:
   While you're applying your other makeup, tuck your mascara tube in your bra for a few minutes. Warming up the mascara will soften the formula and make it go on much more smoothly. Or, hold the bottle between your palms and roll it a few times… it also warms it a little for a much smoother application. For a less clumpy and smoother application for your mascara, NEVER pump your brush. That does nothing except pump air in and out of the bottle, which dries it out quicker.

—Submitted by Billie-Lyn Devine (Facebook)

1. -----For bigger eyelashes:
   Wiggle your mascara brush in little left-right motions as you apply. It reduces clumps, separates your lashes, and gives a more even application.

—Submitted by Kelly Shea (Facebook)

1. -----On how to tightline your eyes:
   Tightlining your eyes can make your lashes look fuller and thicker. Use a brush like this with gel liner. Load up your brush, and push the liner into the base of your upper lash line. It gives your eyes a very subtle lined look, while making your lashes look fuller and thicker. And if you don't have $30 to drop on a push liner brush, a short shader paint brush does just as well for a fraction of the price. I like Royal & Langnickel, which you can easily find at Michaels. They also go on sale constantly!

—Submitted by Tohnia Yun (Facebook)

5.--- How to line your lower lashes:
Get a cheap felt tip black eyeliner. Cut a little off the top to give a blunt edge. Use this to do tiny dots along your lower lash line instead of eyeliner, eyeshadow, or mascara. It will give the impression your lower lashes are fuller and thicker by filling in the roots. Just three tiny dots at the outer corner is usually enough, but sometimes I do it all along to the middle of my eye.

—Submitted by kirsteeb

1. -----For the best mascara combination:
   Use two different mascaras: one lengthening and one waterproof. Underneath use regular and on top use waterproof. That way waterproof will easily come off and it makes a huge difference in volume! Also I find that the waterproof seals in the regular mascara, preventing smudging.

—Submitted by Maria Lisa Summers (Facebook)

1. ---For the best pencil eyeliner application:
   Pencil eyeliners should be warmed up before application. Either draw your eyeliner on the back of your hand until the dragging stops, or use your hair dryer on its lowest setting for six to seven seconds before applying. Application is a lot easier, so you get the look you want on the first try without dragging your eyelid.

—Submitted by Erin Hicks (Facebook)

1. ----Which eyeliner color to use:
   Use eyeliner that has the undertones of the opposite color of your eyes. Blue eyes, use copper eyeliner. Brown eyes, use navy blue eyeliner. Green eyes, use purple eyeliner, etc. Complementary colors help each other stand out, making your eyes pop!

—Submitted by Emily Anderson (Facebook)

1. -----For a cheaper alternative to makeup brushes:
   Use paint brushes as makeup brushes. Many paint brushes are shaped similar to makeup brushes, and many companies (like Royal & Langnickel) make makeup brushes in addition to paint brushes. Lots of craft stores have weekly coupons you can use to lower the price, and the brushes themselves go on sale constantly. It's a great way to get some good brushes at a more reasonable price point.
   10.---- To conceal under eye bags:

Simply cover the shadow of the bags with concealer and a brush. Watch this tutorial for the complete process.

1. ----On what not to do with your eyebrows:
   Do NOT over-pluck your eyebrows. Brows make a huge difference for everything, so make sure that they're kept and look groomed, but DON'T OVERPLUCK YOUR BROWS! Only two people on the planet can do the pencil-thin look, and one of them is Betty Boop.

—Submitted by Laura Donnelly (Facebook)

1. ---For how to actually use an eyelash curler:
   Use your hair dryer to SLIGHTLY heat up your eyelash curler (be sure to hold it against your wrist to make sure it isn't too hot), and then curl your eyelashes while holding the curler horizontal to the floor rather than perpendicular. Immediately apply a first coat of mascara, dust the tips of your lashes with a Q-tip lightly rolled in baby powder before the first coat dries, then apply a second coat. Instant false eyelashes.

—Submitted by Shannon Runge (Facebook)

13.---- How to find the best line for your eyebrows:
The inner part of your eyebrows should line up vertically with your tear ducts. If you lay a makeup brush vertically along the edge of your nostril, the end of your eyebrows should just touch the brush, but not intersect it.

—Submitted by Courtney Mohr (Facebook)

14.---- How to use an eyebrow pencil:
Use brow pencil in just small, light strokes over thinner spots in your eyebrows. This will make your eyebrows look more natural. They'll otherwise be way too dark and inky if they are completely colored in. Plus, blend with a brow brush for the most natural look.

—Submitted by cocosand

1. ----The right order in which you should apply mascara:
   Apply mascara on lower lashes first, that way you don't get transfer on your eyelids and mess up your eyeshadow! I find that if I do the top first, when you get to applying to the bottom lashes, you tend to angle your face and open your eyes wider and the mascara goes all over the lid, messing up your hard work! Especially useful if you're in a rush!

—Submitted by Mömö Kö (Facebook)

1. ----How to get rid of mascara clumps:
2. On what not to do with your eyebrows:
   Do NOT over-pluck your eyebrows. Brows make a huge difference for everything, so make sure that they're kept and look groomed, but DON'T OVERPLUCK YOUR BROWS! Only two people on the planet can do the pencil-thin look, and one of them is Betty Boop.

—Submitted by Laura Donnelly (Facebook)

1. -----For how to actually use an eyelash curler:
   Use your hair dryer to SLIGHTLY heat up your eyelash curler (be sure to hold it against your wrist to make sure it isn't too hot), and then curl your eyelashes while holding the curler horizontal to the floor rather than perpendicular. Immediately apply a first coat of mascara, dust the tips of your lashes with a Q-tip lightly rolled in baby powder before the first coat dries, then apply a second coat. Instant false eyelashes.

—Submitted by Shannon Runge (Facebook)

1. ----How to find the best line for your eyebrows:
   The inner part of your eyebrows should line up vertically with your tear ducts. If you lay a makeup brush vertically along the edge of your nostril, the end of your eyebrows should just touch the brush, but not intersect it.

—Submitted by Courtney Mohr (Facebook)

1. ----How to use an eyebrow pencil:
   Use brow pencil in just small, light strokes over thinner spots in your eyebrows. This will make your eyebrows look more natural. They'll otherwise be way too dark and inky if they are completely colored in. Plus, blend with a brow brush for the most natural look.

—Submitted by cocosand

1. ---+The right order in which you should apply mascara:
   Apply mascara on lower lashes first, that way you don't get transfer on your eyelids and mess up your eyeshadow! I find that if I do the top first, when you get to applying to the bottom lashes, you tend to angle your face and open your eyes wider and the mascara goes all over the lid, messing up your hard work! Especially useful if you're in a rush!

—Submitted by Mömö Kö (Facebook)

1. -- How to get rid of mascara clumps:
   

Use a clean mascara brush or the plastic comb part of an eyebrow brush to un-clump your eyelashes. It gives a nice, fanned out look.

—Submitted by Korah Elaine Gillard (Facebook)

1. ----Why you should practice a nude smoky eye:
   Practice a good nude smoky eye. It's great as a daily look, or good for a quick and professional look for interviews or for going out with the girls. I've practiced mine enough that I can do my entire face including a smokey eye in about 15 minutes, sometimes less depending on how good my skin has been.

—Submitted by Kendell Erickson (Facebook)

1. ----How to make your eyes look brighter:
   Use white eyeliner on your lower lash waterline, and then also white liner with a tad of shimmer on the inner corners of your eyes. This will make you look so alive and bright. This is my most complimented makeup look and it LITERALLY takes me two minutes to do.

—Submitted by Liora Osipov (Facebook)

19.---- For an easy way to clean up smudges:
Q-tips are one of the best tools you can use. Get creative! When I'm done with my eyebrows, I pull the cotton off of the end of the Q-tip and use what's left on it to clean up any smudges or whatever on my face. It's super effective.

—Submitted by Alexa Silva (Facebook)

20.---- For an easy way to make your eyeliner stand out:
Use gel eyeshadow as primer underneath powder eyeshadow. Seriously. If it's the same color as your shadow, it makes the color pop and it's so easy to blend into the crease of the eye. Or you can use a neutral color and it helps you use a really bold color of eyeshadow without looking like a clown.

—Submitted by Allison Frankfother (Facebook)

1. -----The right way to apply liquid liner (without getting a crease):
   Apply liquid eyeliner by lowering your mirror (handheld is best for this) and looking DOWN into the mirror. That way your eye lid is fully exposed and not folded, meaning you won't get the crease that so often happens with liquid liner.

—Submitted by Rachel Gantz (Facebook)

22.---- How to look more awake:
Use a highlighter pen instead of traditional concealer on your eyes. It has a lighter texture and illuminates the entire area, which makes you look wide awake and glowing. I like the version MAC makes in the shade Light Boost.

—Submitted by mjb7

1. ----For an eyeliner alternative:
   Don't underestimate the power of using a dark eyeshadow as an eyeliner. The powder is really easy to work with and doesn't leave a gap at your lash line (so there's no need for tightlining!). The subtle definition is perfect for people with a tiny lid space, like me!

—Submitted by sarahreaves

24.--- For girls with glasses:
If you wear glasses, use a colored eyeliner on your lower lash line and black on the top. It makes your eyes really stand out from behind your frames!

—Submitted by Melissakah

1. ----For a natural eye makeup remover:
   Olive oil is a great DIY eye makeup remover. Unlike other oily removers, olive oil is actually good for your skin!

—Submitted by Morgan Beyer (Facebook)

26.--- The right way to apply concealer under your eye:
Do your eye concealer in a triangle going down to your cheek instead of small dots along the curve of your eye. It'll cover up the darkness much better.

—Submitted by Abby S

1. ---The concealer color best for under eye circles:
   Use a salmon or orange-toned shade of concealer for under eye circles. The Benefit Cosmetics Erase Paste is amazing! If you use a more yellow-toned concealer it will make your undereye circles look gray.

—Submitted by hollipinter

1. ----How to get your eyeliner to last all day:
   After lining your upper lash line with eyeliner pencil, use a small stiff brush and go over the liner with a matching shadow. Not only does this soften and smooth the line, but it also sets the liner to give it more staying power. You can also try different liner and shadow combinations for an endless variety of looks.

—Submitted by MarjorieAllison7254

29.--- To make your eyelashes grow:
Before you go to bed, put Vaseline on your eyelashes. It'll help them grow and make them look great!

—Submitted by Nour Alameh (Facebook)

30.----- To never get lipstick on your teeth again:
After applying lipstick, put your finger in your mouth, close your lips around your finger, and pull it out. This gets rid of excess lipstick and stops it from going on your teeth.

—Submitted by Samantha Walford (Facebook)

31.--- For incredibly smooth lips:
Brush your lips with a toothbrush and Vaseline. Do it before you apply lip color and it makes dramatic lipstick look smoother.

—Submitted by Laura Morgan (Facebook)

1. --- To make your lips look bigger:

Put highlighter on your cupid's bow and in the center of your bottom lip. It gives more lip definition and makes them look fuller.

—Submitted by Katie Halsey (Facebook)

1. ---To make your lipstick look brighter:
   Use nude lip liner to line and fill in your entire lip. It makes the color of your lipstick pop. Before lining, apply lip balm and blot. I find it helps the lip pencil glide more easily.

—Submitted by Kayla Carroll (Facebook)

1. ---For lipstick that lasts longer:
   Use powder foundation as a lip primer. Dust a little bit on your lips before putting on a bright color and it will last wayyyy longer and keep it from bleeding off the edges. Makes such a huge difference, I swear.

—Submitted by Samantha Frandino (Facebook)

35.---- Which product you should be applying first:
Put on cheek color before you do your eyes or lips. As a cosmetologist, this is the coolest trick I've learned throughout my career. When you make cheeks your first priority, you can easily tell if the eye color will look clown-like before you even begin!

—Submitted by lizw45b3e4d04

36.---- How to make matte lipstick look flawless:
Exfoliate your lips before you wear matte lipstick. Nobody wants crusty lips, and mattes only make it more noticeable. E.l.f. cosmetics makes an awesome — and cheap — exfoliator in stick form you can use with baby oil, but you can always use a washcloth or soft bristle toothbrush and warm water!

—Submitted by Morgan Beyer (Facebook)

1. ---To make your foundation look light and airy:
   If you use powder to set your makeup or use a powder foundation, lightly spritz your face with water to set your makeup. It'll to take away any heavy look. Evian water works really well.

—Submitted by Lori Nehrig (Facebook)

1. ----How to pull off bold makeup colors:
   If you're wearing bold looks or colors, make sure you're only going bold on one area of your face. Feeling like bright red lips? Awesome! But make sure to do a subtle eye look. Want to go with bright blue eyeliner? Great! But try a nude lip. This will help you look less like a clown, and more like the sophisticated woman/man that you are.

—Submitted by Steph Grant (Facebook)

1. ----How to make your face look fresher instantly:
   Always use primer (even if you aren't wearing makeup). It makes your face look fresher and your skin less oily OR dry.

—Submitted by Eliza Travis (Facebook)

1. ----How to find a foundation that works for you:
   Foundation is formulated with specific skin types in mind, so don't just buy what your best friend uses. A matte foundation would look fabulous on acne-prone or oily complexions, but would look cakey on someone with dry skin! Similarly, a hydrating foundation for more mature complexions could slide right off someone with oily skin.

—Submitted by ashleyr4c629152a

1. ----Why you shouldn't start with your foundation:
   Put on your foundation AFTER doing your eye makeup. Especially if you're doing winged liner. This way, you can erase all your mistakes until it's perfect! It also allows you to wipe off any eye shadow that fell under your eyes.

—Submitted by yconc2

1. ---The best hack for oily skin:
   
   In a pinch, take some toilet seat covers from public restrooms. Cut them up into little squares and you have perfect little oil blotters for your face that don't cost an arm and a leg. When carrying out your normal routine, apply your foundation and use your new oil blotters to remove the excess makeup before applying powder. By blotting off the excess foundation, you are left with a smooth and consistent complexion that won't get as shiny throughout the day!

—Submitted by Brooke Rogers (Facebook)

1. -----How to mix the perfect pale foundation:
   If you have really pale skin and can't find a foundation to match your skin tone, buy a white foundation. You can mix it in with other foundations to get the perfect shade. Just a little practice makes perfect! I'd recommend Manic Panic because it's cheap, gets the job done, and isn't as expensive as high-end brands.

—Submitted by Katherine Rakus (Facebook)

44.----- Damage control for when you apply way too much makeup:
If you apply way too much makeup and don't want to remove everything with a makeup wipe, tone down makeup with pressed powder and a good powder blush. This trick is a great way to really control the color!

—Submitted by Anna Peel (Facebook)

1. -----The best location for applying your makeup:
   Put your makeup on in front of a close-up mirror with natural light. This way, you can see what it really looks like.

—Submitted by KarlyC

1. -----For an easy way to seal your makeup:
   Spray a light dusting of hairspray over your makeup (close your eyes, hold your breath, duh) if you don't have sealer. Trust me. Eyeliner doesn't budge, neither does the mascara, and your foundation stays put. Also helps matte down the shine later in the day.

—Submitted by Sunshine Then (Facebook)

1. -----How to clean your makeup brushes:
   Wash your makeup brushes at least once a week. I just use a little Johnson's Baby Wash on them when I'm in the shower. Uncleaned makeup brushes wreak havoc on your skin.

—Submitted by Dani Van Zyl (Facebook)

1. -----The best way to cover up acne scars and blemishes:
   Cover up acne scars or blemishes without a trace by applying a layer of concealer, dusting with matte powder, add a second layer of concealer, blend, and dust with powder once more. It seriously works.

—Submitted by ReNae1313

1. -----A sign you've found the perfect concealer:
   Your concealer should disappear on your skin. Once it does, you know you have a match.

—Submitted by Kimberly Lewis (Facebook)

1. -----Why brushes are so important:
   It's all about the brushes you use. You can make cheap eyeshadow look amazing with a good brush, or you can make expensive makeup look like shit with a bad brush. And cost doesn't mean quality. Do your research. Get good brushes people!

—Submitted by michellef48145d217

51.---- For a DIY eye makeup remover:
Use baby oil as eye makeup remover. It's cheaper than the expensive brands but works so much better. Plus, it's kind to your skin and eyes.

—Submitted by 19sadie86

1. ----An easy trick for applying bronzer:
   Use bronzer in the shape of the number "3" along the side of your face. With the top of the 3 at your hair line, the bottom at your jaw line, and the middle part just under your cheekbones. This is the easiest way of thinking of contouring.

—Submitted by gintaw

1. ----What to do before applying foundation:
   Moisturize 5 to 10 minutes ahead of applying foundation. Your makeup will be easier to apply and it will rest better on your skin. It's so simple, yet many people don't do this.

—Submitted by Amanda Redmond (Facebook)

54.---- In a tight situation, lip gloss can save you from smudges:

Lip gloss can be used as an emergency smudge remover. Squeeze or dab a tiny portion on a tissue and wipe away your eyeliner or mascara mishap. It's best if the lip gloss is clear and non-glittery.

—Submitted by Eliza Fernandez (Facebook)

1. -----Why you should put foundation on before concealer:
   Always put on foundation before concealer. It is absolutely pointless to put on your concealer just to wipe it all around and cover it up with your foundation! Blend your concealer with your foundation brush by gently patting it into place.

—Submitted by Littlelugo

1. ----The best trick for oily skin:
   For oily skin, after applying moisturizer, powder your face with translucent powder, then apply foundation. This trick saved my (very oily) life!

—Submitted by Isabella Hanley (Facebook)

1. ----And the most important tip of all:
   Learn your face, accept it, and learn to love what you have. For example, I often wish I had the face shape to carry off proper contouring (maybe one day when I work my shadow and highlight areas better but it isn't going to change my face to the high cheekboned face of my dreams!), but my face is rounder. Instead I prefer blusher, and own a ton of shades to prove it! I'm never going to have a killer jaw line but I will have cute cheeks and a cat flick instead! Feel free to break the rules and experiment.

—Submitted by Jo Norton (Facebook)

Congratulations! You're basically a makeup ninja now.