10 Easy beauty tips that make a big difference

Creating a beauty routine that works for you takes a lot of trial and error. However, when you find yourself running out of time, energy, and patience planning your makeup and hair, it helps to turn to others for advice. So, Shop TODAY contacted several experts to walk us through what small upgrades you can make in your daily routine that will save time and make the biggest impact overall.

From where to concentrate your foundation to adding a facial massage, read on as the pros help us break down what they consider some of the easiest and quickest rules you should know to make your beauty routine work harder and smarter for you.

1. Spot blot your foundation
Looking to achieve that effortless “no makeup” makeup glow? Experts say it comes down to optical illusion. “The eye is drawn to the center of the face. If these areas (including freckles, the bridge of the nose, and between the brows) have less product on them, it indicates that you’re wearing less makeup overall, while perfectly concealing any imperfections,” explains Leiah Scheibel, a makeup artist and beauty expert based in Arizona.

2. Change your concealer application
Instead of applying concealer in an upside-down triangle pattern underneath your eye, apply it to the dark inner corner and under the outer edge of the eye into your temple, advises Helen Phillips, a national makeup artist for Sephora Collection. “You don’t want the center of your cheeks next to your nose to be accentuated, as it can make your nasolabial folds appear more prominent and can age you. Instead, this application lifts and strategically brightens your undereye to create a more youthful effect,” she explains.

3. Contour above your temple
“Contouring above your temple into your hairline instead of just up to your temple helps lift the eye,” says Phillips.

4. Twirl your powder brush
If you, like many, take the dip and swipe approach to your blush, experts say you’re missing out on a crucial step. “If you go straight from your loose or pressed powder to the face, most of the powder will transfer to wherever the brush lands, resulting in uneven powder application for the rest of the face,” cautions Scheibel.

5. Line your upper lashes
“Applying liner to the upper lash line makes for a more defined eye and creates the illusion that your eyelashes are far more voluminous,” explains Scheibel.

6. Always apply a light layer of eyeshadow base
Another one of Scheibel’s makeup rules to live by? Sticking to a thin layer of eyeshadow primer. “Our eyelids produce a lot of warmth from movement and get oily throughout the day, allowing your eyeshadow to crease and slide around,” she says. Adding a light layer of primer will minimize the appearance of creases.

7. Expand your palette
Consider adding a pop of color. “After months of wearing masks, many are in need of a fresh start. Incorporating a colored eyeliner (such as green, blue, purple, or bronze for a more natural look) is an easy, fun way to update a simple look,” says Tai Young-Gardner, a celebrity makeup artist and author of Glamdemic.

8. Go fuller (yet lighter) on your brows
According to experts, the trick to good, full brows is make sure they don’t come across as heavy. “Strong brows can overpower your features if they aren’t natural. This technique adds maximum fluff without being heavy,” says Phillips.

9. Add glycolic acid
Perfecting your beauty routine is nothing without proper skin care underneath. While generally recommended for those with acne-prone skin, glycolic acid is a powerhouse ingredient you should add to your regimen that does more than treat breakouts. “The game-changing ingredient is an exfoliant so it helps shed dead skin cells and reveal the newer, brighter layers. Because it has effective skin-renewing properties, it can also help smooth fine wrinkles, improve skin tone and texture, plump the skin, and help boost hydration levels,” explains Craig Ziering, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, hair transplantation surgeon and restoration specialist.

10. Throw in a facial massage
Terrie Absher Kochman, a licensed medical aesthetician and founder of Total Glow considers a facial massage a non-negotiable when it comes to the health of your skin. “Just like it’s important to keep the body moving, the skin needs toning and circulation. We need to work our muscles to help firm and increase circulation, while also detoxifying the skin and providing a nice glow.”