Just Add Water. It's the Best Beauty Trick—and It's Totally Free!
Getting your freshly made-up face wet seems like a major beauty faux pas, no? Well it turns out that a little water may be just what you need to give your beauty routine a boost! Now don't go running outside in a rain storm, but dampening your skin directly, applying a small amount to your application tool of choice, or getting some right on your product can create innovative new looks. The results are often more pigmented, dewy, and longer-lasting.
Celebrity makeup artist Elle Leary is breaking down four ways to try this cool beauty technique. Click through to get the scoop!
1/5A little H2O can transform your makeup routine and double (or triple!) the uses of your beauty essentials.
Photo courtesy of Sephora2/5Turn Colored Powders into Eyeliner
"Add water to any loose pigment to make it into a liner that’s super vibrant," says Leary. "Start by applying a little bit of one you like (I’m a fan of the Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics shimmery ones) onto a clean flat surface or on the back of your had and add a few drops of water to it. Then take your finger, a small cosmetics spatula, or a brush, and mix them together. You want the consistency to be like a smooth paste, not too watery or clumpy. Now apply the product on a thin brush and line away! This also works with eyeshadows. Just take your angled liner brush, run it under water, and dip it into a small section of the shadow. You instantly have any liner color you like!"
Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Pure Color Pigment in Turquoise, $14. Sephora.com.
Photo courtesy of Sephora3/5Spray and Go
"If you’ve over-powdered your face and it’s lot its luster, just spritz on a bit of water. You can fill your own spray bottle or use one like the Evian Mist. It immediately returns the makeup to a healthy glow! You can also use a hydrating setting product like the one by ColoreSciences. This little tip will save your makeup from looking too matte."
Evian Mineral Water Spray, $12 for 5 oz. Sephora.com.
Photo courtesy of Sephora4/5Pump up Your Shadow
"Add water to shadow to make it more intense. Use a small spray bottle to mist your shadow and press the brush into your product. Don’t rub or swipe it around because you want to really pack the shadow into the brush. The key is to go easy on the water, adding a little bit at a time. Then pat it onto the lid for your most pigmented, shadow look ever."
Make Up For Ever Eyeshadow in Pearly Orange, $20. Sephora.com.
Photo courtesy of Sephora5/5Lighten Your Foundation
"This is one of my favorite pro tips and I think everyone should try it! You can sheer out your foundation to create a lighter coverage for warm spring and summer months without having to buy any new products. The secret is dampening your makeup sponge before using it to apply your foundation of choice. I like the Beauty Blender, but you can always use a sponge from the drugstore. Start by running it underwater. Then squeeze it a couple times under the stream to make sure it is saturated evenly. Dry it in a towel so it is just slightly damp to the touch. Dip it in your favorite foundation and you are all set!"
Beauty Blender, $20. Sephora.com.
