Kat Von D Shade + Light Eye Contour Palette, $73
Kat Von D Shade + Light Eye Contour Palette, $73

Brown eye shadow for filling your brows

This is an ultra fuss-free way to fake fuller eyebrows, especially if you think brow mascara is too troublesome or if you forgot to sharpen your brow pencil. Simply press a small angled brush into your dark brown eye shadow (black might be too harsh), tap off the excess and lightly fill in your brows while following the direction of your hair growth. This trick gives you a natural look without really having to use a spoolie brush to spread out the colour.  

The Balm Nude Eyeshadow Palette, $71.90

White eye shadow for highlighting

Besides using it on the inner corners of your eyes to brighten up your peepers, you may not know what else to do with that elusive white eye shadow in your palette. Well, you can use it as an all-over highlighter – on your brow bone; on the highest point of your cheekbones; on your nose bridge and your cupid’s bow. This extra dash of luminosity will make your features pop for a multidimensional and sculpted look.

FRESH Sugar Tinted Lip Treatment Sunscreen SPF 15 $34
FRESH Sugar Tinted Lip Treatment Sunscreen SPF 15 $34

Tinted lip balm as blusher

Your tinted lip balm is awesome for doubling up as blusher because most formulas boast a sheer-to-medium colour payoff that’s just nice for application on your cheeks. It’s also moisturising – after all, it’s good for your puckers, so it won’t harm your skin, either.

MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Lip Liner
MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Lip Liner

Lip liner as lipstick

If you’re into lip liner, why not use it as a lipstick? Your lips will be perfectly defined and you don’t have to worry about finding a matching shade of lipstick. Common sense prevails, of course: Don’t use it to fill in your entire pout too often as your lip liner will run out pretty soon!

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Burberry Beauty Light Glow Peony Blush, $68
Burberry Beauty Light Glow Peony Blush, $68

Powder blush as eyeshadow

Blusher is important in any minimal makeup look as it makes all the difference in breathing life into your face. But don’t put your powder blusher away after you’re done with your cheeks – quickly use your ring finger to dab some on your eyelids to lend a bit of warmth around your peepers. Hurrah to looking polished without fumbling with bulky eye shadow palettes!

Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Powder $62
Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Powder $62

Translucent powder as lash plumper

Guess what? It’s possible to get fuller lashes without piling on coat after coat of mascara. Simply apply one full coat of your favourite tinted mascara, use a clean eye shadow brush to add a bit of translucent powder to your lashes, then end off with a final coat of mascara. The powder seals in the tint for luscious lashes – the result is a gorgeous fringe to the windows to your soul.

Chanel Gloss Volume Plumping Lipgloss, $45
Chanel Gloss Volume Plumping Lipgloss, $45

Lip gloss to create cream eyeshadow

If you want to experiment with the glossy eye look but don’t want to invest in separate pots of cream eye shadow, try putting some clear lip gloss on your lids before applying eye shadow. Be sure to apply the lip gloss with a flat brush, or you’ll have to deal with sticky lashes. The result? Beautiful gleaming lids with intensely pigmented colour.

Prevent eyeliner smudging - eyeshadow setting

Eyeshadow as gel liner

Gently dampen both sides of your angled brush in water (make sure it’s not too wet, or the eyeshadow will run), coat it with a dark eye shadow, tap off the excess and voila, you’ve got yourself a gel eyeliner. Keep your eye closed for a while to let the eyeliner set and dry down. This trick is fun because you can easily play around with other colours without actually having to buy different eyeliners.

Text:  Loh Pui Ying, Her World Plus / Additional Reporting: Arissa Ha 

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