No Lies Were Told—These Are the Best Beauty Hacks We Learned in 2023

This year was full of beauty hacks, and we have TikTok and Instagram Reels to thank for that. I won't tell you how many hours I spent scrolling on those apps this year, but just know that none of that time was spent in vain. I was taking notes on improved ways to do my eyeliner, how to make my makeup last all night long, and all the viral trends created by my favorite celebrities. Naturally, I swapped these notes with my fellow editors and came away with three new beauty hacks to try. The one common thread in all our hacks was the viral and beloved brand, SHEGLAM.

This brand garnered millions of views this year, and for good reason. With all products available for less than $60 and a selection of viral blushes, contours, and palettes that feel and look way more expensive than they are, SHEGLAM has become a go-to destination for all things affordable beauty. I could go on and on about why you should have these products in your makeup bag at all times, but I'll just show you the hacks that dominated our editors' routines in 2023.

The key components of Beauty Director Erin Jahns's everyday makeup look are glowy skin, glossy and plump lips, defined brows, fluttery lashes, and her natural freckles, of course. But when summer comes to a close, her freckles start to fade, so she's creating faux freckles this holiday season. "It's such a brilliant hack to use a liquid liner or brow pen that you already have—like the 2-in-1 Brow Pencil from SHEGLAM—to create a faux freckle," she says.

Pro tip from Erin:

"Apply your base makeup first. For me, that's foundation, concealer, bronzer, blush, highlighter, mascara, eyeliner, lip balm, and brows. Applying my freckles is always my second-to-last step before I use a setting spray. I make sure I'm using the very tip of the pen and start creating dots all over the tip and bridge of my nose, where the majority of my natural freckles are. I usually start with one side: dot, dot, dot, and then tap, tap, tap to diffuse the dots and color so they look sun-washed and natural. Then I do the other side to mirror the results."

If there were a competition for the best multiuse product, this brow pencil would win. "You get two types of brow products (it's dual-ended!), and I love that you can also use the pen side as a liquid eyeliner or to create freckles like I do," Erin tells me. It's also waterproof to ensure that all your work stays put and won't fade or slide off your face as the day goes on. Erin gives it bonus points for the fact that "the tip is so precise, so you have really great control over your finished look. The whole point is for the freckles to look natural, after all! The results are just as good as or better than those of a dedicated freckle product." I don't know about you, but I'm bringing my summer makeup look back, and my new faux freckles are key.

When creating beauty looks, Director of Branded Content and Beauty Caitie Bellamy goes for minimal effort, high impact. "I'll be the first to admit that I'm lazy with my makeup," she tells me, and that's why she's a pro at finding game-changing beauty hacks. "The L-shaped blush application method is so easy and can easily trick people into thinking I'm more of an expert than I am," she says. She credits TikTok for this discovery and admits she never used to think much about her blush placement. 

Pro tip from Caitie:

"To create an L shape with your hand, use your thumb and pointer finger, lining your thumb up with the base of your nose. Add a few dots of the Color Bloom Liquid Blush above the webbing between your thumb and index finger, and blend it out with your finger or brush."

"I don't wear a lot of makeup daily, but I still want to have fun during the holidays, and SHEGLAM lets me do that," she says. According to Caitie, "Every product I've tried from SHEGLAM has unmatched color payoff and strong staying power, and nothing is more gratifying than finding a brand you can trust that can take your looks from day to night without breaking the bank during the busiest time of year." On that note, I'll be placing an order for the Color Bloom Liquid Blush and practicing that L-shape method in the mirror later.

The holidays are the perfect time to experiment with bolder beauty looks, and senior editor Anneliese Dominguez agrees. "My everyday makeup is so basic: tinted sunscreen, blush, concealer, and lip gloss. But something about the holiday season makes me want to amp it up," she says. She's constantly saving beauty hacks on TikTok and admits that "some stay in the Saved folder, but this one made its way out, and I'm so glad!"

Pro tip from Anneliese:

"You can apply this powder with a puff or a beauty blender, which I did here. (I prefer a beauty blender because it blurs my face more, but a puff is great too.) There are two sides of the powder: compact powder and loose powder. I went with the loose powder. I took my beauty blender and lightly tapped it in the pot. You don't want to get too much! I dabbed the powder under my eyes and brought it up the sides of my face a bit. Applying powder is sometimes a little messy, but you can always clean it up with a brush afterward!"

"The holidays are expensive as it is, so it's nice to have a place where you can find all the latest and greatest in makeup without having to spend a fortune," Anneliese says. With all the beauty trends to keep up with, it's nice to know that SHEGLAM has high-quality, affordable options. Most people go for translucent or brightening loose powder, but the pink powder corrects dullness and gives a nice natural flush. "This just gives such a youthful look! It's true what they say about pink brightening your face. Dark winter days have nothing on me," Anneliese says. It's safe to say that pink powder is a true winner for bright, radiant skin in all seasons.