Most beauty advice sounds good in theory, but falls apart in real life. After years of testing products, trends, and so-called “must-dos,” I’ve narrowed it down to three simple but totally doable beauty hacks. The best part? They actually make a difference. These are affordable tips I use regularly for skin and makeup. No gimmicks. Just practical beauty shortcuts that save time, money, and deliver real results.
DIY Beauty Hack #1: Turn Your Concealer Into a Crease-Free Under-Eye Color Corrector
This is my number one daily beauty hack. I have not found a traditional color corrector for mature skin that does not crease or flake. Instead, I create my own by mixing a small dab of pink lipstick with my regular concealer. I mix the two on my hand (topside near my thumb). After mixing I then use a damp makeup sponge to pick up and apply on my under eyes. The pink tone neutralizes darkness, while the concealer keeps everything natural and flexible.
My go-to concealer:
- Kosas Revealer Concealer – hydrating, flexible, never flaky
Great alternative:
- L’Oréal Age Perfect Radiant Concealer – creamy, forgiving, budget-friendly
Lipsticks that work well for mixing:
- MAC Cremesheen or Satin Lipstick
- Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G. Lipstick
- Maybelline Color Sensational Cream Lipstick
Any moisture-rich pink-ish lipstick works. Avoid matte formulas.
SHOP CONCEALER HACK
DIY Beauty Hack #2: Layering Toners for Deep Hydration Before Makeup
I’ve been saying this for years and I stand by it! Layering toners as part of my Korean skincare routine has completely changed my skin. I apply multiple layers, pressing each one in before adding the next. This hydrates deeply without weight and creates the best possible base for makeup. I always follow with a deep moisturizer (especially in the winter!) to seal it all in. The skin is now prepped for the best makeup outcome. I have about 10ish toners that I use regularly but for the sake of time these are my most used.
My trusted toner favorites:
- Laneige Cream Skin Milky Toner (gives that hydrated glass skin!)
- Anua Heartleaf Toner (soothing toner, great for sensitive skin)
- I’m From Rice Toner
- Moon Glow Milky Toner
- COSRX Snail Mucin Essence (it’s actually a serum and is amazing)
Great alternatives to rotate in:
- TIRTIR Milk Skin Toner
- Hada Labo Gokujyun Premium Lotion
- Round Lab Dokdo Toner
- Etude SoonJung Relief Toner
Apply thin layers. No rubbing. Press everything in.
SHOP BEST TONERS
DIY Beauty Hack #3: Swap Heavy Foundation for a Hydrating Tinted Moisturizer
Heavy foundations can settle into fine lines and make skin look more textured especially on mature skin. I skip them and use a hydrating tinted moisturizer instead. It evens out skin tone while letting skin look like skin, and it does not exaggerate wrinkles.
My favorite:
- Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer (Long Wear)
Excellent alternatives:
- Saie Slip Tint – dewy, flexible, very skin-like
- Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint – hydrating with light coverage
- Tower 28 SunnyDays SPF Tint – great for sensitive skin
- BareMinerals Complexion Rescue – reliable and forgiving
The goal is coverage that moves with your skin, not sits on top of it.
SHOP BEST TINTED MOISTURIZERS
These beauty hacks all come back to the same idea. Work with your skin, not against it. Hydration matters more than coverage, and lighter layers always look better than heavy ones. By customizing products, focusing on moisture, and choosing formulas that move with your skin, makeup looks fresher, smoother, and more natural. These are the small changes I rely on daily, and they consistently deliver better results with less effort.
