13 Essential Beauty Tips

What are some of the easiest and most essential beauty tips out there we hear you cry. Well, we've compiled a list of our top 13 bits of advice to make sure you kick off 2013 looking your absolute best!

While following all of the latest make-up and beauty trends is super important, so too are the tried and tested beauty basics we've learned to love over the years.

1. Choose your Shade

It’s important when choosing a foundation to test it on the skin nearest your jawline in natural light. This way you’ll ensure that the foundation tone you choose for your face isn't a drastic contrast to the tone of your neck.

2. Foundation Before Lipstick

No matter what brand you are using, you can make any lipstick last all day by applying a dab of foundation to your lips first.

3. Apply Mascara to False Lashes

Want your false lashes to blend seamlessly with your natural ones? Add some mascara and you’ll instantly have volumized natural looking lashes.

4. Regularly Replace Old Products

The effectiveness of a products wares after only a few months, so ditch old items and replace them with new ones regularly. This way you’ll also be avoiding the bacteria they bread from using daily.

5. Use Powder to set Foundation

Foundation can make skin look greasy and probably won't hold all day. Lightly dust over a setting powder to banish shine and keep your foundation in place.

6. Give Curls Bounce

Add a volumizing spray to your roots before you start blow drying your hair, this will give your locks some added lift. If you want a bit of extra bounce, never brush curls out with a brush. Instead, loosen them with your fingers - added curls without flattening them!

7. Dry Out Spots

Big date or special night out planned? Fear not, dabbing toothpaste onto a spot is a quick and easy way to dry it out.

8. Apply Eye shadow before Foundation

Always apply your eye makeup before your foundation. This way, it's easy to wipe away with cleanser without ruining the rest of your makeup.

9. Draw Attention to Cheekbones

Apply bronzer directly under the cheekbone to make them appear higher and to give them more structure.

10. Banish Greasy Hair

Usually greasy hair is caused by adding too much conditioner to the root of your hair, so a great tip is to just apply the heavy moisturizing cream to your locks' ends.

11. Avoid Shaving Redness

Stand under warm water for a few minutes before you shave your legs or underarms. This will help open up hair follicles and soften hairs so they're less coarse to shave.

12. Switch up your Routine

Change up your beauty routine based on the seasons. Our skin needs different care depending on the time of year. Now that it’s winter, add more moisturizing creams to your daily beauty routine and in the summer ensure you're using lots of SPF.

13. Wash your face regularly

Wash your face at least twice a day with a cleanser that suits your skin. Select your cleanser depending upon your skin type i.e. dry, oily or normal.