Well, maybe “shared” is a better word than revealed. Our top makeup artists don’t keep these beauty secrets to themselves, but they sometimes forget to share them. I think they assume we already know what they know. Here are a few of the best tips and beauty secrets we have heard lately.

1. BB/CC Cream

We all know how popular BB/CC creams are because they are easy and save you steps. It’s a multi-functional product usually with a moisturizer, primer, SPF, color correct, coverage and glow in one. If you have all these products at home already, take a drop of your foundation, SPF, moisturizer and highlighter and mix them in the palm of your hand and you will create your own BB/CC cream. It’s a great time and money saver!

2. Stretch Your Wands

It can be frustrating sometimes when your lip gloss or concealer is still in the wand and you just can’t get it out. Take a tweezer or small scissor and pop out the stopper. Cut the stopper slightly at the bottom and then put in the wand/brush. This will allow your wand or brush to really get all the product.

3. Stretch Your Mascara

Just when you think you have run out of mascara, try adding some hot water or saline solution to your mascara wand to revive it.

4. Chapped Lips?

There are many great lip balms in the market, however, we often forget to use them! The result is dry, chapped lips. If you are using a daily and nightly moisturizer, just swipe it over your lips. Your lips are skin and you can certainly benefit from the robust creams you are using. And you will save another step!

5. Forgot Your Blush??

This is one of our favorite beauty secrets. If you are in a pinch take a little dab of your lipstick and apply it to the apples of your cheeks and blend. If the color is too intense, try mixing it with a little moisturizer before applying to your cheeks.

6. What to Use on Your Brows??

When the unexpected gray hair pops up, try using one of your eyeshadows that are close to your hair color and apply it close to the scalp where it shows. Look for a light golden champagne for blondes; a reddish brown for auburn; a taupe for medium brown and chestnut/gray for black hair.  Use either a sponge or stiffer eyeshadow brush and dab it on the scalp into the hair.

You can also use your brow tint in your hair. Apply it to the root of the gray hair and comb it through.

7. Eyeshadow on Lips?

If you want a matte lipstick, take some of your eyeshadow and apply it over and under your creamier lipsticks. A lighter shadow will lighten your color and a brown or gray shadow with darken and deepen it.

8. Highlight

If you have a soft shimmery white, gold or pink eyeshadow, try using it as a highlighter on your cheek bones or above your lip in the center.

9. Powder or No Powder?

As we get older, it’s best to avoid looking too matte or powdery as it can settle in the lines. However, powder can give you a more finished look. So rather than use powder over the entire face, just use it in the T zone or down the nose and chin and leave the rest of your face more dewy.

10. Keep it Clean and Safe

Mineral powders in loose form have become so popular but how do you avoid the mess? It’s easy; just pick up the loose powder or blush with a brush and swirl it into the cap. Keep swirling until it disappears into the brush. When it does, apply to the skin. Shaking and blowing the loose powder/blush just gets messy and you are wasting your product.

11. Face Oils

Refined facial oils such as grapeseed, argan, marula or avocado are all great moisturizers for the face. Try using them to remove your makeup. Apply over face and eyes and massage, then rinse with warm water and a wash cloth. Use them as a cuticle oil too.