25 beauty hacks you need to know

From makeup and skin care to hair and body, the marie claire team reveal their best ever beauty tips and tricks.

#1 / Speed styling

“For a chic updo in seconds, create a high ponytail, twist your hair and wrap it around the elastic, then pin into place. Muss up your makeshift bun with your fingers, and accessorise with a cute clip.” – Bianca

#2 / Mascara replacement

“Left your eyeliner at home? Run an angled brush along the rim of your mascara tube and sweep across your lash line – the creamy, gel-like consistency is perfecting for creating a budge-proof feline flick.” – Jessica

Try: M.A.C Angled Brush 266

#3 / Curled lashes

“Every morning I blast my eyelash curler with a hairdryer before applying to lashes- the heat holds the curl, which makes the eye appear wider. A few swipes of mascara and I’m ready for the day.” – Nicky

Try: Shiseido Eyelash Curler

#4 / DIY scrub

“I like to make a scrub from one cup of coconut or body oil and two cups of raw sugar. Use in the shower starting from your feet, working your way up in circular motions.” – Jenna

Try: Sodashi Crystalus Body Oil

#5 / Calming cleanser

“For a soothing facial cleanse before bed, place a few drops of lavender oil in the bathroom basin with warm water and remove the day with a face washer.” – Chloe

Try: Jurlique Lavender Pure Essential Oil

#6 / Quick dry polish

“To set a manicure, I dip my digits in ice water for one minute, post paint job.” – Kimberlee

#7 / Easy beach hair

“For beachy waves without a heat styler, apply a sea salt spray, twist hair into two buns and blast with a hairdryer. Finish dressing and doing your makeup, remove the buns and ruffle with your hands.” – Tara

Try: Evo Salty Dog Cocktail Beach Spray

#8 / Sunscreen primer

“Make mineral sunscreen mandatory after skin care: a physical formula wears really well and it’s a great base for your makeup.” – Jessica

Try: Ultraceuticals Ultra UV Protective Daily Shield Mineral Defence SPF 50+

#9 / Wing colour combo

“For a simple statement look, I like to match coloured winged liner to a pair of earrings. Turquoise is my hue right now.” – Bree

Try: Lancôme Ombre Hypnôse Stylo in Turquoise Infini

#10 / Fix fly-aways

“When I was a ‘bottle blonde’ I had a lot of breakage, so I would spritz hairspray onto a toothbrush and use that to smooth down fly-aways.” – Erin

Try: Matrix Style Link Style Fixer Finishing Hairspray

#11 / Lush lashes for less

“Splurge on an expensive mascara you love and when it runs out, wash and reuse the wand with a budget-friendly option – it’s all about the wand!” - Robyn

#12 / Post-shower moisturiser

“To get more moisture into dry skin, I apply a body or coconut oil after stepping out of the shower – the steam helps it absorb better.” – Liz

Try: NIVEA 4 in 1 Body Oil

#13 / Makeup remover

“I replace makeup remover with coconut oil – a small amount dissolves makeup and softens dry skin.” – Melissa

#14 / Multi-masking

“I like to double up on masks – I start with an exfoliating, clarifying or refining mask (depending on my needs), and follow up with a hydrating or brightening one.” – Sherine

Try: L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Mask Purify & Mattify

#15 / Smooth strands

“Tame unruly strands by smoothing a pea-sized dollop of hand cream over ends.”  – Bianca

Try: Natural Instinct Softening Hand and Nail Cream

#16 / Softening scrub

“I put a dollop of sugar- or salt-based exfoliator on an exfoliation mitt to buff away dryness. The oils from the scrub replenish skin, too.” – Daniela

Try: MOR Sugar Crystal Body Scrub in Marshmallow

#17 / Night-time layering

“Layer a vitamin A serum underneath a replenishing overnight mask – the barrier will trap the actives, allowing for more effective ingredient absorption.” – Aimée

Try: Philosophy Time in a Bottle Daily Age-Defying Serum

#18 / Hint of tint

“To get some colour on my legs, I mix liquid bronzer with a body lotion and slather.”  – Monica

Try: NARS Liquid Laguna Bronzer

#19 / Shiny hair

“After conditioning, rinse hair with cold water to close the cuticle and boost shine.” – Jana

#20 / Big eyes

“To accentuate smaller eyes, cut fake lash strips in half and apply only to the outer half of each eye for a more natural look.” – Larissa

Try: shu uemura Natural Volume False Eyelashes

#21 / Overnight hair

“To refresh hair while you sleep, spray roots with dry shampoo and fasten lengths into a high ponytail using the waistband of a pair of tights as a hair elastic. You’ll wake up with voluminous clean hair due to the absorption of oils overnight.” – Anne-Marie

Try: TRESemmé Instant Refresh Translucent Dry Shampoo

#22 / Multi-task

“For a fast beauty look when I’m on the go, I blend my favourite rosy lipstick onto lips, cheeks and across my lids – the heat from your fingertips makes blending a breeze and it nixes the need for extra products.” – Lisa

Try: Chanel Rouge Coco Ultra Hydrating Lip Color

#23 / Soft hands

“It’s my Michael Jackson tip: to keep hands hydrated I apply hand cream and balm and then put cotton gloves on overnight.” – Anjelika

#24 / Anti-frizz

“For a frizz-free finish, I dry my hair with a clean cotton T-shirt rather than a towel – the smooth fabric causes less friction and makes for the sleekest, silkiest blow-dry.” – Kathryn

#25 / Contouring formulas

“When contouring, stick to matte formulas for shading and iridescent for highlighting.” – Anita

Try: Estée Lauder New Dimension Shape + Sculpt Face Kit

Want to know which products our beauty editors reach for time and time again? These are their summer must-haves.

For more beauty advice from the marie claire team, stop by marieclaire.com.au

Main image credit: Getty