3 Easy Makeup Tips Everyone Should Know According To This Pro

Somehow, I've ended up in a corner of TikTok that can only be described as "the most complicated makeup tutorials known to man." Every time I open the app to scroll, I'm met with faces dotted with pigments and come with instructions that rival pro-level paint-by-numbers. I'm someone who has worked in the beauty industry for several years now (and grew up loving makeup), and yet their routines leave me feeling like a novice. 

But as global makeup artist and wellness influencer Alexandria Gilleo reminded me on today's episode of Clean Beauty School, "We don't need to overcomplicate beauty. It can be something that we just do for fun." Instantly I felt better about my finger-painted makeup and easy-breezy aesthetic. "I always tell people to go for soft additions that will enhance your look," she says. 

"I never put concealer under the whole entire eye because when it's like under the outer corner of your eye area and underneath, you really can see all of those fine lines," Gilleo says. "And I want to look as young as possible."

While makeup has the incredible ability to transform you, it also can age the appearance of your skin when you go overboard. Yes, one of the easiest ways to look more vibrant and youthful is to pare back how much you're applying. 

When all else fails, tend to your brows. "We love a brow pencil," she says. But many people may be wearing the wrong shade for their hair and skin tone. So Gilleo says to find "something that's like two shades darker than your hair. You don't want to go too dark, and you don't want to go lighter than your hair color." Here are our favorite brow pencils, should you be in the market.