15 Beauty Tricks That Stand the Test of Time

These days, beauty tips, tricks and trends are a dime a dozen, and you’re lucky to discover anything that has any real shot of longevity. Then, there are the ones that you’ll use until the end of time—and maybe pass on to your own kids. Over the past 15 years, PureWow editors have tracked major trends and interviewed dozens of experts in dermatology, trichology, hair and makeup, so we’ve sifted through what’s actually worth incorporating into your beauty routine. From sunscreen to red light therapy and advice on going gray, these are the 15 best beauty tips we’ve learned and swear by.

Read more PureWow 15th Anniversary stories here.

With the rise of TikTok, we jocularly threw around the phrase “OK, Boomer” as a verbal eye-roll. But this generation actually has the most solid beauty advice I’ve ever heard. It’s the timeless but oft-forgotten wisdom that we should use makeup to highlight our features, instead of as a tool to change who we are. In an industry that is constantly creating problems so that it can sell us the solution, this is comforting and refreshing.

As the skin ages, it responds differently to products that may have once been your go-to. When reporting on the best foundation for mature skin, my favorite makeup artist, Jenny Patinkin, emphasized that less truly is more. By that, she means both less product but also lighter formulas that won’t settle as deeply into wrinkles and creases. Opt for foundations that are dewy as opposed to matte, and prioritize ones with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin and plant-derived oils.

As far back as ancient Mesopotamia, we’ve been chasing a good red lipstick. While it’s always been a classic and dependable eye-catching color, the surge of the “red lipstick theory” has brought the shade to new heights within the past few years. Many are reminded of—or rediscovering—the instant confidence that comes with the first swipe.

If you still haven’t figured out how to perfectly apply your mascara, this is the PureWow beauty tip that you need now. Nine years ago, we introduced readers to this genius technique for elongated lashes, nary a clump in sight, and it’s exactly what it sounds like. Using the mascara wand, smush it onto your lashing in the direction of the inner corner of your eye, then pull the lashes apart by dragging the wand towards the outer corner.

One of the best tricks I’ve picked up as a PureWow editor has been the power of applying makeup with my fingers. Sounds like a no-duh, but with a brush on the market for every inch of your face, you can sometimes feel like you have to use one. My fingers have never failed to perfectly pat on lip gloss, smudge eye shadow, blend foundation and stipple blush. The bonus—no brushes to wash.

As an editor with fine, thin hair, one piece of advice I’ve been offered repeatedly by celebrity hairstylists is to pick up some texture spray. While it doesn’t give you a zero-effort blowout, a few generous spritzes make it look like you actually have hair. Plus, if your hair is slippery like mine, texture spray is indispensable for getting claw clips and bobby pins to stay in place. I can’t believe I went 26 years before discovering it, but now I swear on Bumble and bumble.’s Dryspun ($37).

Yeah, hear me out. It’s incredibly frustrating to have a dent, smudge or chip in your freshly painted nails three minutes after you thought they were dry. Never again. After painting your nails, let them air-dry for the typical two minutes, then dunk your fingers in a bowl of cold water with some ice cubes. When you see water starting to bead off, that means you’re good to go.

When it comes to makeup for mature skin, one of the best things you can do is cocktail your foundation with skincare. Mixing a medium-coverage formula plus some liquid highlighter will yield a dewy, brightening effect that still provides great coverage.

For the non-dexterous among us, achieving a good blowout is…challenging, to put it nicely. One tool that has stood the test of time has been the blow dryer brush, which removes the need for mirror antics and superb hand-eye coordination with your round brush and blow dryer. The Dry Bar Double Shot ($155) and Revlon One Step ($60) are both PureWow editor favorites to achieve bouncy, textured tresses and perfectly curled end pieces.

Whether you were overzealous with the hair dye or have patchy results, fret not. When it comes to fixing hair color mistakes, there are easy remedies. For areas of your hair that you’ve over-colored, use clarifying shampoo and generous elbow grease to wash away some of the pigment and reduce the appearance of uneven color. On the flip side, if you’ve got a spotty dye job, some tinted dry shampoo to blend uneven color.

“Strawberry legs” can be caused by a variety of factors, including ingrown hairs, folliculitis and keratosis pilaris. PureWow’s best tips for clearing up the condition: exfoliate! Lactic and/or glycolic acids are your friends. If you suspect the condition is a form of acne, try salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide or retinol instead. Finish your skincare routine by moisturizing—hydrated skin is less susceptible to inflammation.

I’m as guilty as anyone for picking at my skin, but take it from the pros and resist. Instead, opt for salicylic and glycolic acid treatments or retinoids, which can help with skin cell turnover and exfoliation. And if you can’t resist popping one, be sure to apply antibiotic ointment and keep it out of the sun.

Who knew that a few swipes of well-placed concealer could make a difference? It won’t be as drastic as an actual facelift, but it’s a subtle, though meaningful result. Choose a concealer that’s a bit lighter than your skin tone, then apply in the outer corner of your eyes and mouth. Add dabs to the inner corner of your eyes, underneath the middle of your eyes, the sides of your nostrils and underneath your cheekbones. Blend, add any additional makeup and say hello to a refreshed look.

Honestly, this might be one of my favorite PureWow beauty tips. Several years ago, we interviewed a handful of women on how they handled going gray. While everyone’s approaches and reactions were different, no matter what path they took—embracing it, dyeing it and seasons of swinging between the two—they found joy. Amen.