Looking for ways to simplify your hair routine or nail a new makeup trick? Look no further than TikTok, a goldmine for beauty hacks.
If you’ve somehow managed to avoid downloading TikTok within the past year, consider giving in now. The popular social media platform built for bite-sized videos is a proper goldmine for hacks of all varieties, especially when it comes to beauty. We love an over-the-top makeup look, but always welcome ways to simplify our routines — if only to pass the time by learning something new. We’ve rounded up some of the best TikTok beauty hacks — from heatless curls and bobby pin eyeliner, to crease-free foundation tips and lip contouring — as demonstrated by some of our favourite TikTok users, below.
1. Do your makeup “backwards”
Apparently, we’ve been doing our makeup wrong this whole time. To avoid creasing or runny makeup, TikTok user @sylvi.uhh says we need to switch things up a bit. Follow up your moisturizer with a bit of powder, setting spray and primer, and then use your regular foundation. Definitely a hot tip for weather-proofing our makeup looks this spring and summer.
@sylvi.uhhMy foundation has never looked this smooth #foru #foryou #fyp #foryoupage #foundationhack #makeup #makeuphacks #beauty #beautyhacks #OutfitChange♬ original sound – Jarida🫀
2. Use bobby pins for the perfect winged eyeliner
Does doing your winged liner send you into a tailspin of anxiety? Bobby pins might be your answer. TikTok user @annnarka demonstrates how she uses them by painting the flared end with liner and using it as a template for the most perfect, crisp wing. This trick is excellent for people with hooded eyes who struggle to make their liner look perfect, too.
@annnakraЛюблю красивые стрелки❤️♬ オリジナル楽曲 – kk
3. Set your naturally curly or wavy hair using a t-shirt
If you’re into perfectly set curls, but not so into heat damage, use TikTok user @shakkarwarrior’s T-shirt trick. Leaning forward with your hair loosely hanging down, “plop” your ends onto a t-shirt and tie it up.
@shakkarwarriorReply to @s.shajii how I plop my hair! It’s a great way to set your curls or waves before letting them dry #wavyhair #curlyhair #ploppingtutorial♬ Electric Love – BØRNS
4. Get Disney princess curls with socks
We might have tons of time on our hands now to manually curl our hair, but who wants to toil away with a curling iron when there’s an easier way? TikTok user @allisonnkayyy showed her followers how she gets her long, red hair curled beautifully just using socks. Grab four long socks and twist them around your hair sections, securing them with a hair tie or two. Sleep on them overnight and brush them out in the morning.
@allisonnkayyyAnd that’s on how I get my Ariel curls. Oh and Happy Valentine’s Day! #sockcurls #littlemermaid #fyp #foryоu #formyvalentine #ariel♬ original sound – Mia🕊🥥🌊🌿
5. Put soap in your eyebrows
This tip has quickly gained popularity on TikTok as we trade in exaggeratedly dark brows for bushy, more natural-looking ones. TikTok makeup artist @blaxvz demonstrated running a spoolie along a bar of damp soap, and combing it through her eyebrows. This technique allows each strand of eyebrow hair to stand out, giving brows a fuller, more polished look without being overdone.
@blaxvzSoap Brows 🧼 #soapbrows #browsonfleek #browstutorial #eyebrowtutorial #anastasiabeverlyhills #abhbrows #fyp #makeup♬ Falling Harry Styles – Angelena
6. Nail the pink no-lipstick lipstick look
A lip tint would typically work well for this look, but if you don’t have one on hand, all you need is your favourite red liquid lipstick. One of TikTok’s resident makeup and skincare gurus @glamzillaxo showed her followers how, by putting a dab of the colour in the middle of your lips — top and bottom — and rubbing it into your lips with your finger or a fluffy brush. And there you have it: “Naturally” pink lips.
@glamzillaxoBEAUTY HACK : PINK LIPS! #fyp #foryoupage #makeupchallenge #makeup #beautyhack #makeuphack #easymakeuphack #glamzilla♬ original sound – GLAMZILLA
7. Get the illusion of fuller lips by contouring your mouth
As aggressively contoured cheeks are feeling increasingly tired, we’re looking towards contouring our mouths now. TikTok’s @amlmakeup showed her fans how, and all you’ll need is a brown lip pencil in a shade that works with your skin tone. Line the sides of your top lips and underneath your bottom lip, and smudge it out with your finger for an instantly lifted lip.
@amlmakeupeasy lip contour #makeuphack #makeuptutorial #beforeandafter #liplift♬ You and I – Washed Out
8. Clean your sponges and brushes with household products
It’s easy to forget to clean your makeup sponges and brushes regularly, but you can make it much less of a hassle with this simple combination of dish soap and olive oil. TikTok user @kammymakora demonstrated how she gets her beauty sponge clean as new by soaking it in the mixture and squeezing it out under a running tap.
@kammymakoraAnd it’s cheap too sooo😳👍🏼!!#beautyhacks♬ original sound – ♡ kammy ♡
9. Breathe new life into dried-out lipgloss with this easy trick
Items like lip gloss and mascara can dry out well before they expire, especially if you’re pumping them too much. TikTok user @themichellephan fills a mug with water and microwaves it for one minute. Following that, she places her dried-out lipgloss in the water. After 30 minutes, they’re ready to be used again.
@themichellephanMy Favorite Lipgloss Hack #makeup #beautyhacks OG viewers, you already know 😉♬ death bed (coffee for your head) – Powfu & beabadoobee
10. Transform light-coverage foundation into full coverage with a simple step
If you don’t own full-coverage foundation but find yourself needing it one day, simply add loose setting powder to it. The powder will cause the foundation to thicken, providing your skin with a heavier coat than normal, as TikTok @seldaasan demonstrates.
@seldaasanSome can’t afford to have it all.. so DIY then 😉 #beautyhacks #diy #foryourpage #howto #tutorial #foryoupage #fyp #tiktoktraditions #diyideas♬ God Is A Dancer – Tiësto & Mabel
11. Turn your eyeshadow into lip gloss
Transform your favourite eyeshadow colour into a poppin’ lip gloss with this simple trick demonstrated by TikTok’s @mireyarios. Swatch the shadow colour onto the back of your hand and rub your lip balm in it. Then, simply apply it to your lips.
@mireyariosTag a friend 🙂 #lips #lipgloss #makeuphack #hacks #coolhack #diy #diyproject #diyhow #diymakeup #beautyhacks #beauty #beautyguru #beautytipsbymireya♬ original sound – Mireya Rios
12. Control face oil with an eye product
Have an out-of-control oily T-zone, and your regular oil-control primer just isn’t cutting it? TikTok makeup artist @jayiziahbeauty uses eyeshadow primer on the oiliest parts of his face after regular moisturizer and SPF.
@jayiziahbeauty#beautyhacks Control Oily Areas w/ Eyeshadow Primer #tiktokpartner #oilyskin #makeup @tiktok♬ original sound – Jay Iziah