13 Beauty Hacks Every Pro Needs To Know

Because being a pro isn’t about working hard, it’s about working smart…

1. Use mascara as liner

Out on location for a client’s big event and just realised you’re all out of liner? Don’t panic. Simply use the liner brush to grab some product from your mascara wand. No one will be able to tell the difference.

2. Cheat ombre nails

Up your mani game by using two or three different nail polish colours painted onto a makeup sponge in horizontal stripes. Simply press the sponge onto the nail and repeat the process until all nails are done before cleaning up any residue on the skin with a clean brush and some polish remover.

3. Use nude lip liner to freshen up tired eyes

Got a client with a big event on who’s showing the telltale signs of a hangover or an all-nighter? Simply use a nude lip liner to line their bottom waterline for an instantly fresher, more wide-awake look.

4. Use a foundation spatula to save money

Invest in a foundation spatula (a mini spatula shaped sponge designed for scraping hard-to-reach remnants from the bottom of product jars) to avoid makeup wastage, and save yourself some moolah in the long term. You can pick a packet up from most online beauty stores for just a few bucks.

5. Lighten foundation with moisturiser

Caught in a pickle because you don’t have a shade of foundation light enough for your client’s Winter skin? Simply mix in some moisturiser to instantly lighten the shade. Works like magic every time.

6. Make eyeshadow pop with white liner

If a shadow’s not as pigmented as you’d like it to be, or you simply want extra striking look, colour in the lid with white eyeliner before applying eyeshadow for peepers that really pop.

7. Extend your mascara’s life with baby oil

Running low on mascara? Make it last longer by adding a few drops of baby oil (eye drops work just as well) to the bottle and shaking. Just be careful to never use mascara on a client that’s past its shelf-life date.

8. Fix a broken lipstick in seconds

Lipstick break in half mid-way through a makeup session? We’ve all been there, don’t despair. Simply grab the broken end with a tissue and use a lighter to melt the broken section. Once the lippie starts to liquify, quickly press it back onto the remaining stump. Pop in the fridge for five minutes to set and you’ll have a new lipstick again.

9. Use coconut oil to remove stubborn eye makeup

Whether you’ve got a client with particularly sensitive skin, have just run out of makeup remover or are struggling to make stubborn makeup budge, coconut oil will do the job. Simply dip a clean cotton pad into the jar, swiping out just enough to cover the pad and apply.

10. Make your own tinted moisturiser

To give a client a quick and easy temporary sunkissed glow, simply add equal parts bronzing powder and moisturiser to a clean bowl and mix (alternatively the back of your hand will do the trick).

11. Avoid messy manis with Vaseline

Avoid clean-up after a mani by dipping a cotton tip in Vaseline and tracing around the edge of nails. The Vaseline will form a protective barrier, stopping any stray nail polish from sticking to the skin.

12. Fix a smashed pressed powder or shadow instantly

Don’t cry over spilled makeup. You can fix a broken pressed powder easily and quickly, saving yourself the heartache and expense by following these super simple steps. (Prepare to have your mind blown.)

13. Organise your makeup in seconds

Don’t waste money on exxy makeup stands. Instead, re-purpose everyday objects for a cost-effective, quick and pretty way to organise your salon’s beauty products – check out our organisation porn inspo here for more ideas!

Have your say: What’s your fave personal beauty hack?