3 Makeup Tips I Wish I Knew Sooner

I remember the first time I tried to wear a full face of makeup.
It was for my school disco. I was 13.

I had no idea what I was doing, but I had watched one video on YouTube where a girl used foundation, bronzer, blush, eyeshadow, mascara, lip gloss, and something called “setting spray,” which I assumed was just water in a fancy bottle.

I copied everything she did.
But what looked like a soft glam on her somehow translated into a blotchy, orange, cakey mess on me.

I looked like a confused Victorian ghost who had been baked in the oven.

Still, I walked into that disco like I was the moment. Confidence was at 100, even if my foundation was not.

Since then, I’ve had a long (and sometimes painful) journey with makeup. There were times I didn’t blend my jawline. Times I accidentally shaved off part of my eyebrow. Times I confused eyebrow pencil for lip liner (don’t ask).

But through all the chaos, I’ve learned a few things that completely changed how I do makeup.

These are my top 3 makeup revelations, and trust me, they’re easier (and cheaper) than you may think.

 

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Revelation Number 1 – Skin prep is 80% of the look.

 

 

If your skin is dry, flaky, or oily in weird places, no amount of expensive foundation is going to save it. 

I used to treat makeup and skincare like they were in two separate universes. Skincare was for bedtime. Makeup was for looking hot. End of story.

But I was wrong. So wrong.

If you’ve ever put on foundation and wondered why it looks patchy, or why your concealer creases 15 minutes after applying it, check your prep game.

You don’t need a 15-step routine. 

Just:

• A gentle cleanse
• Moisturiser (like, a real one, the rich, glowy kind)
• And primer (I used to skip this because I thought it was a scam… it’s not.)

Bonus tip: Mix a drop of facial oil into your foundation if your skin is dry. You’ll look like you just stepped off a runway in Milan. Or like you’ve been drinking eight glasses of water a day since birth.

 

Revelation Number 2 – Not everything has to be “snatched.”

 

 

I went through a phase where I thought every part of my face needed to be sculpted: my cheekbones, my nose, even my forehead.

I was contouring so hard I nearly disappeared.

But here’s the truth: you don’t need to change the shape of your face to look good in makeup. You don’t even have to contour.

I started experimenting with softer makeup looks, cream blush instead of contour, highlighter on the high points, a fluffy brow, and a lip tint instead of an overdrawn liner.

And I looked… cute?? 

Let me say this loud for the people in the back: natural makeup is not lazy makeup. It’s smart. It’s strategic. It’s hot girl math.

Now, I still love a dramatic look. But I’ve learned to ask: “Am I doing this because it enhances me… or because I’m trying to make my nose look like Bella Hadid’s?”

 

Revelation Number 3 – The lips make the whole vibe.

 

 

The most slept-on part of a makeup look? The lips. 

They can completely change the energy of your face. Glossy = playful. Matte = boss. Tinted balm = I woke up like this.

When I first started wearing lipstick, I only owned two shades: 

A bright red that made me look like a mime.
And a foundation-coloured nude that made me look like I’d just licked a spoonful of peanut butter.

Then I discovered lip combos.

The holy grail.

Now my makeup bag has:

• A rosy liner (for overlining just the Cupid’s bow)
• A pinky-nude lipstick
• And a clear gloss that smells like vanilla cupcakes

Some days, I just wear the liner and balm. Other days, I layer all three and call it a “look.”

It’s low-effort, high-impact. 

 

So here’s what I’ve learned, after years of bad blending, mascara clumps, and contour regret:

• Take care of your skin first
• Not every day needs to be full glam
• And your lip combo might be the most powerful accessory you own

Oh, and one last tip? Lighting is everything.
If you think your makeup looks off, just walk to a window. The sun exposes all, for better or worse.

 I hope this helped you rethink your routine (or at least feel seen in your makeup mishaps).

Thank you for TRUSTING me
– Tess <3