The Shame Of Acne Is Real — These People (Even Derms) Reveal How They Get Through It

Posted on 04/08/2024 by Boris Clair

I’ve struggled with acne since high school and sometimes had to skip school because I felt self-conscious, judged and afraid that people would whisper behind my back.

As a teen, I went to a dermatologist who put me on a course of treatments that was ineffective and, at times, painful. As my spots only grew redder, I felt insecure and ugly because of my acne, and I felt that no one understood me. Acne took a toll on my mental health. It made me feel I wasn’t worthy.

I’ve since grown in my confidence, but I know others are going through what I used to go through — and they should know they’re not alone. Acne affects over 50 million people in the U.S. every year, with 85% of those between the ages of 12 and 24.

Various studies have shown that skin conditions — like vitiligo, acne and psoriasis — can be debilitating both physically and mentally, often increasing anxiety and depression. Another study noted that people in their late teens with acne expressed “more depressive symptoms, lower self-attitude, more feelings of uselessness, fewer feelings of pride, lower self-worth, and lower body satisfaction than those without acne.”

There’s a myriad of acne products on the market, often targeting our insecurities. The size of the acne medication market in 2022 was at $9.9 billion, while Statista estimates it will reach $17.5 billion by 2032.

But sometimes just getting rid of the spots is a temporary fix. Self-acceptance, which doesn’t come easily, can be a more effective tool.

HuffPost spoke to people who struggled with acne and acceptance to learn the different ways their skin condition affected them, and how they got through it.

“My biggest advice to others is to seek help as early as possible.”

“I felt very insecure about my skin and I used to hate taking photos. It didn’t stop me from enjoying school or extracurricular activities, but it did make me feel much more self-conscious and negatively affected my self-esteem.

“Interestingly I didn’t feel judged by others, but I felt judged by myself. I wanted clear skin like most of my peers and I tried many different OTC products to ‘treat’ it, only to make it worse. I specifically remember going to a dermatologist for acne. It felt somewhat frivolous and fluffy, like I should be worried about things that actually ‘mattered’ and not acne. However, I remember going to a dermatologist and having a dedicated conversation about my acne and all the available treatments. He acknowledged my acne, validated my concerns, and actually came up with a very precise treatment plan. I remember feeling justified and reassured. It sounds silly, but I felt heard and it made an impact.

“There are so many effective treatments for acne, and they work incredibly well for the most part. The only treatment that really worked for me was Accutane, and I needed to take it twice. And I still have acne flares occasionally, but it’s much more manageable. My biggest advice to others is to seek help as early as possible. It’s much easier to manage earlier on and you can avoid deep acne scars that are very difficult to treat, so go see a board-certified dermatologist if it’s been bothering you. You don’t have to live with acne if you don’t want to.” — Dr. David Kim, board-certified dermatologist at IDRISS Dermatology in New York City

“I know I am not alone in this. These are the same sentiments I hear being echoed by my patients in-clinic, on a daily basis.”

“As a teenager, my skin problems caused a world of pain. I was about 12 years old when my acne started. Sadly it developed around the same time as a bereavement, which resulted in my personal circumstances changing. In the space of a few short weeks, I was suddenly confronted with bereavement, a new school in an unfamiliar place, and trying to make friends, all whilst having dreadful acne. I was painfully shy and it was hard. I didn’t want people to look at me. All I could see in the mirror were my spots. My eyes would not catch the normal skin between them. They disgusted me and I was certain that anyone who looked at me would feel the same. Unsurprisingly, I didn’t make many friends.

“As an adult with acne, spots continue to evoke shame, embarrassment and feelings of inadequacy. It also generates anger: ‘I should have grown out of this by now!’ In meetings, you wonder if others are taking you seriously when inside you feel like a spotty teenager. Or, if your skin is bad enough, you cancel the meetings altogether for fear of being looked at or, worse still, judged. I know I am not alone in this. These are the same sentiments I hear being echoed by my patients in-clinic, on a daily basis. Acne can have profound effects on self-esteem and confidence.

“It was this personal firsthand experience of acne and how it can affect one’s mental health that led me to specialise in the treatment of acne. I know what it’s like to be in my patient’s shoes and I’m passionate about treating acne before it scars, which is much harder to treat.” — Dr. Anjali Mahto, consultant dermatologist at Self London

“My struggle has made me understand that it’s only human of me and how my skin looks doesn’t define me as a person.”

“I remember I started getting acne very early, as soon as I turned 13. It wasn’t severe in the beginning, but within a year, my face was full of painful cystic acne all over it, and suddenly that was the only thing people noticed about me wherever I’d go. From name-calling in my own house to visiting different dermatologists and ‘experts’ for wild advice, it was simply traumatic.

“The most difficult part was dealing with unsolicited opinions from people who weren’t even aware of the root cause but were always ready with tips that I never asked for. Even visiting dermatologists wasn’t very helpful, as most of them would put me on hardcore treatments, which would only make it worse. I remember I slowly started isolating myself and started making excuses for being home. I remember breaking down in front of my parents on multiple occasions just so that I could skip school on my worst days.

“After fighting severe cystic acne for almost two years, I started doing my own research just to understand my skin better. … Slowly, the condition improved. Almost 10 years down the line, I’m a content creator talking about beauty. While I still get a little conscious if someone talks about my skin (even good comments) and getting frequent breakouts as acne in most cases is chronic, my struggle has made me understand that it’s only human of me and how my skin looks doesn’t define me as a person.” — Yashwant Singh, content creator, @yashwantsngh

“Don’t let acne control your life.”

“While my acne didn’t keep me from doing daily activities as a teen, it made me feel self-conscious. I was constantly worrying about what others were thinking of me. I remember I would always compare myself to others, whether they were friends or other people my age, basically asking why they weren’t struggling with this in the same way I was. So, in a way, I think I was judging myself. My confidence was impacted in a way I wasn’t expecting. I simply didn’t want to bring attention to myself but rather wanted to blend in. I know I wanted to try anything and everything to get rid of my acne because it started to become a defining feature for me, which I absolutely hated.

“The way I overcame these feelings was by reminding myself that this wasn’t the end of the world. I had to remember that I wasn’t the only one struggling with acne, especially as a teenager. Also having support was very important.

“For anyone struggling with acne, I know how difficult it can be to in the mirror and think that there’s no way it can get better, but it can. I’m now 28, and aside from the occasional blemish, I no longer struggle with acne. Surround yourself with a good support system and continue to do things that bring you joy. Don’t let acne control your life.” — David Triana, public relations consultant in Orlando, Flοrida

“A reminder: Not everything you see online is a reality at all.”

“I felt majorly insecure. I was young, and in the early years of middle school, I was consistently late making sure my makeup was right. As I grew up, I became more and more limited, never leaving the house without makeup and never letting anyone see my bare skin.

“I felt judged in so many ways, I felt like people thought I was dirty or just didn’t take care of myself. People would stare and make remarks about my skin and I felt really excluded. I felt like people just avoided me where they could because of my skin, and it was so debilitating.

“Overcoming these feelings came after I started taking pictures of my skin and posting about it. Finding a community that was open and welcoming and seeing other people who looked like me on my socials was a big help — it made it feel more normal, less different and more included. Realising acne is so normal and widely experienced really helped shift my perspective of it being a bad thing.

“And a reminder: Not everything you see online is a reality at all. I feel my generation has so much pressure to look a certain way 24/7, which isn’t possible. It’s OK to have skin problems, and it’s OK to just be YOU in whatever capacity that looks like!” — Abigail Collins, content creator, @abis_acne

“These unsolicited comments sometimes get to me.”

“I was so insecure when I first started developing cystic hormonal acne. It’s been something that subconsciously has been holding me back from enjoying events, going out and creating content as much as I wanted to, especially since I’m in the skin care niche on social media. Someone is constantly asking, ‘Why isn’t your skin clear when you use so many products?’ These unsolicited comments sometimes get to me. I feel judged and embarrassed for the condition of my skin.

“But I’m slowly figuring things out, including how to ignore unsolicited advice and stop questioning the condition of my skin and whether my acne will ever improve. Instead, I’m focusing on being present and being more mindful instead of having negative thoughts, and also stepping away from the mirror and friendships that bring me down. All these things have helped change my perspective.” — Abby Rose Maureen, content creator, @abbyrosemaureen

“I feel like my struggle with acne shaped who I am today.”

“I struggled with acne on my face and back throughout high school and in college. It’s been quite a journey, to say the least. At first, it took a toll on my self-esteem. I felt like people were constantly staring at my skin instead of seeing me for who I am. It made me feel judged and self-conscious in social situations, and even simple tasks like changing my shirt during gym class or swimming with friends became stressful. I would make sure my back was against a wall while changing my shirt to ensure no one could see my back. I was also the only one to wear a swim shirt when swimming with friends to hide my back acne.

“Overcoming these feelings wasn’t easy. I started by understanding that acne is an issue many people struggle with. I spoke to dermatologists about medical treatments, and my skin slowly improved. Beyond medical treatments, I found that self-acceptance was crucial. I realised that my worth shouldn’t be defined by the state of my skin. I began to surround myself with only supportive friends and family who didn’t judge me based on my acne which was out of my control. Today, I still get some acne breakouts, but I no longer let it affect my self-esteem.

“Through my journey, I learned the importance of perseverance and self-acceptance. I feel like my struggle with acne shaped who I am today. I never judge people by their appearance, because I know what it feels like. I enjoy sharing my acne story to help others know they’re not alone and that they will get through it just like I did!” — Vin Cirisano, content creator, @sirisano

If You Have To Choose 1 Skin Care Step Before Bed, Make It This One

Posted on 13/04/2024 by Boris Clair

There’s so much that your body does to reset and refresh while you’re sleeping, and your skin is no exception.

“Just like our entire body, the skin has a circadian rhythm,” said dermatologist Dr. Helen M. Torok. “It repairs at night and protects during the day. The skin works hard to renew itself from the damage done throughout the day. Your skin cells regenerate at night, recovering from high levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, that can wreak havoc on your body during the day.”

As such, it’s important to make the most of the money you’re spending on skin care during the overnight hours, when it can work its magic most effectively. Essentially, it’s your chance to undo everything that you did to your skin throughout the previous day.

“The repair of damage from UV exposure, pollution and other environmental stressors occurs at night, when the skin’s blood flow increases,” said dermatologist Dr. Sonia Badreshia. “This is also when collagen production is boosted and harmful free radicals are neutralised.” Dermatologist Dr. Blair Murphy-Rose added, “It’s believed that the rate of skin renewal doubles at night.”

Your skin absorbs products better when you’re sleeping.

As productive as the skin is at night, you can make it even more so with the application of products it can really drink in and use. “If you aren’t doing targeted nighttime care, you’re missing the opportunity to support skin’s natural repair mechanisms,” Badreshia said.

“Your nighttime skin care routine should facilitate repairs and regeneration,” Murphy-Rose said. “The nighttime skin care product you apply can boost the skin’s hydration overnight or target cell turnover while you rest,” Wolinsky said.

There’s one thing you MUST do at night.

Each of the experts revealed what they believe to be the biggest non-negotiable for nighttime skin care.

Murphy-Rose insists on using an eye cream. “Our skin undergoes significant water loss through the skin at night if we don’t take measures to prevent it,” Murphy-Rose said. “While some will tell you that an eye cream is unnecessary, the truth is that an undereye cream, which is typically richer than your facial moisturiser, can help to prevent water loss through this very thin skin while sleeping. Dehydrated eyes are more tired-appearing eyes, so I do recommend applying an undereye cream before bedtime.”

Wolinsky suggests using your most potent products at night. “Night is a good time to use any products that may have a slight odour, or may bleach clothing, like benzoyl peroxide, or which may be deactivated by the daytime UV rays, like tretinoin and some other retinoids,” Wolinsky said.

Retinol gets another vote: “My opinion is that with the exception of people with rosacea or overly sensitive skin, everyone should be using a retinol, and they’re ideal for nighttime use,” said dermatologist Dr. Corey L. Hartman. “The benefits are numerous and unparalleled and are arguably the most important step that you can take for overall skin health and anti-aging after sun protection factor. Retinols regulate cell turnover, promote effective exfoliation, prevent acne, even discolouration, control oil, smooth fine lines and wrinkles, unclog pores and so much more.”

And if you can’t even with the idea of slathering something on, at least wash the dirt off, experts said. “The biggest mistake people make is not washing their faces,” Hartman said. “The one thing you must do is wash your face at night before you go to sleep. You want to remove makeup, oil and other impurities that are “stuck” to the face from the day. If you go to bed with your face unwashed, you are asking for a breakout, or oily skin.”

KISS = Keep it simple, skin.

If the thought of caring for your skin is the last thing you want to do most nights, know that these dermatologists understand the struggle is real. One way to ensure that you’ll follow through is to simplify this one part of your life. “The majority of patients tell me that they are more consistent with their morning routine versus their nighttime routine, as a result of being tired from the day and just wanting to crawl into bed out of sheer exhaustion,” Torok said. “Others find their nighttime routine overwhelming and are not confident on how to layer their nighttime skin care routine.”

“Patients tend to overdo skin care and add unnecessary steps,” Wolinsky chimed in. “My recommendation is to cleanse the skin with a gentle cleanser and then follow with a small amount of a retinoid if tolerated and a hydrating thicker moisturiser. If skipping retinoid that evening, then just moisturise.”

“Consistency is key,” Badreshia said. “The benefits of nighttime skin care accumulate over time, and a consistent, targeted approach can lead to significant improvements in skin health and appearance. Listening to your skin and adjusting your routine as needed can also help address emerging issues before they become more significant concerns.″

So THAT’s Why We Lose More Hair In Winter

Posted on 11/01/2024 by Boris Clair

The temperatures are plummeting, we’re trying to keep nice and cozy and for some reason… we seem to be losing more hair than normal?

While we sometime notice changes to our hair growth and thickness at certain points in the year (hello summer shine amirite?), it can be alarming and distressing when unexplained.

So what the heck is going on with this winter hair loss? We spoke to Dr Sara Perkins, Advisor of Dermatology for Hims – the digital health platform connecting patients to licensed healthcare professionals in the UK – to get the lowdown on seasonal hair loss.

The good news? Although it’s incompletely understood, there is some data to support the notion of seasonal hair loss.

Changing levels of ultraviolet radiation or temperature may shift follicles from the growth phase into the resting, and subsequent shedding, phase.

One study found the highest number of follicles in the telogen (resting) phase in July, with another smaller peak in April. Hairs are typically shed at the end of the telogen phase, roughly 100 days after it begins, corresponding to the shedding in autumn that many people anecdotally notice.

According to Dr Perkins, seasonal hair shedding, and most cases of telogen effluvium, are self-limited and new hair re-grows.

However, if you’re noticing prolonged shedding, or start to see thinned hair density across the scalp, it’s important to seek an evaluation to consider other potential explanations, including genetic and hormonal factors, as in androgenetic alopecia.

Androgenetic alopecia can progress slowly and subtly at first, but may become more noticeable after a shedding event occurs.

Is there anything I can do?

If you want to be an active part of solving the problem, there are treatments available.

Topical minoxidil helps to shift follicles from the resting phase back into the growth phase, and also stimulates increased blood flow or circulation to the follicles themselves to support healthy growth.

Dihydrotestosteron (DHT) can damage hair follicles by shrinking them down, resulting in thinner, finer hairs. Finasteride blocks the conversion of testosterone to DHT, preventing further damage and stimulating healthy hair growth.

Because they work differently, combination products, like this topical finasteride and minoxidil formulation, allow people to benefit from both treatments at the same time.

Day-to-day hair care practices and exposures can also vary seasonally and impact the hair’s appearance. In summer, it’s all about protecting your hair from the sun’s harmful UV radiation.

Exposure can damage proteins like keratin and disulfide bonds, leading to increased fragility and frizz.

And sorry swimming lovers, but chlorine exposure from swimming can dissolve lipids within the hair shaft as well.

In the winter months, wearing hats and scarves may create friction, which can contribute to strand fragility and breakage. Finding the perfect balance between weather protection and a vibrant appearance is the key to conquering winter hair blues.

Understanding seasonal hair shedding provides valuable insights into the dynamic relationship between environmental factors and hair health. While some shedding is a natural and cyclical process, persistent or excessive shedding, or visible hair thinning, may require more attention and professional consultation.

Wondering Why Everyone’s Buying Skin Care With Niacinamide? Here’s Your Answer

Posted on 18/11/2023 by Boris Clair

If niacinamide were a person, it would already have earned a Nobel Peace Prize. As a skin care ingredient, it can go pretty much everywhere, calm things down right away and get everything working well together. But until they start awarding global honours for skin creams (and really, why not?), mighty niacinamide continues to prove there’s little it can’t do for beleaguered, stressed and irritated skin.

What It Is And How It Helps Skin

Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3, a water-soluble vitamin that’s a powerful antioxidant everyone needs to support a number of cellular processes. “It’s not produced naturally by the body, so you must use skin care products specifically formulated with niacinamide to experience the ingredient’s benefits,” Tom Allison, senior vice president and global head of professional marketing at CeraVe, told HuffPost.

It appears in products intended to alleviate fine lines and wrinkles, acne, eczema, discolouration, rosacea, large pores, oily skin and sun damage, among other things. If that seems like a tall order for one ingredient to address all those issues, niacinamide is up to the job, experts say.

Erin Greer, executive director of education and training at Alastin Skincare, explained that one of the ingredient’s superpowers is restoring the moisture barrier function of the skin. “As we get older, we can lose the lipid barrier that makes skin radiant and luminous. Niacinamide produces ceramides that help to restore that barrier, reduce dehydration and help skin look better.”

In a sign of our overstressed times, dermatologist Dhaval Bhanusali said, “In general, there’s a trend toward ‘calming’ ingredients. Niacinamide is a popular option since it’s so well-tolerated. It’s truly a star ingredient and one I recommend often.”

Good For Dry Skin, Oily Skin — Pretty Much Good For Skin In General

You knew we couldn’t get this far into a skin care article without talking about free radicals, those pesky molecules with unpaired electrons that can build up and cause oxidative stress, which harms other cells and speeds up aging symptoms like wrinkles. “As a true multitasker, niacinamide neutralizes free radicals and helps to address the slowing of skin aging through repair and rejuvenation,” dermatologist Melissa Kanchanapoomi Levin said. But wait, she said, there’s more: “Because it’s also been shown to regulate oil secretion and cell skin turnover, it’s recommended for both dry, sensitive skin and oily, acne-prone skin types, too.”

It might be hard to find a skin care ingredient that plays so well with others. “Niacinamide tends to complement and work well when layered with several other active ingredients that compose a typical skin care regimen,” said dermatologist Janiene Luke, co-chair of the Skin of Color Society technology and media committee and associate professor and director of the dermatology residency program at Loma Linda University. “It typically can be used in people who also use retinoids, salicylic acid and other chemical exfoliants, as well as hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid.”

How To Get Started And When You’ll See Results

“Most people can tolerate niacinamide, but I’d suggest looking for concentrations that range from 2% to 10%, since higher concentrations sometimes can cause irritation,” Luke said.

“With my patients, I’ve seen them do well with up to 6% niacinamide,” Bhanusali said. “If it’s higher than that, you should spot treat first and make sure you tolerate well before applying all over.”

If you like the results you’re seeing on your face, try using it all over your body, Deanne Mraz Robinson, dermatologist and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Yale New Haven Hospital, told HuffPost. “Look for it as an ingredient in body lotion, as well. It’s a helpful ingredient for dry, itchy skin.” She did note some caveats: “It shouldn’t be used simultaneously with skin care products that contain vitamin C. When combined with vitamin C, it turns into niacin, which can cause redness and irritation in sensitive skin.”

Once you begin regular applications, you’ll need to be patient. “Niacinamide typically takes eight to 12 weeks to work if you’re using it regularly,” dermatologist Ellen Marmur said. “But in some cases, you will see almost immediate improvement.”

And, as always, use common sense: avoid it if you’re allergic to it, of course. And go slowly. “Some people do get irritated by higher concentrations of niacinamide, so you can get too much of a good thing,” said Michelle Wong, the chemistry Ph.D. behind the Lab Muffin Beauty Science blog.

Skin Cycling For The Body: What It Is And How To Do It

Posted on 02/09/2023 by Boris Clair

Skin cycling has to be one of the biggest skin care trends to trend on TikTok over the past year. The #skincycling hashtag has over 3.5 billion views on the Gen Z-led platform and unlike many skin care trends, this is one experts can get behind. Until now, it has always referred to a skin care routine for your face. But now, our bodies are getting in on the action.

The coin “skin cycling” was termed by New-York based dermatologist Dr. Whitney Bowe, whose now-viral TikTok video has amassed more than 2.4 million views to date.

“Skin cycling seems to have resonated with so many people around the world because it’s a very intuitive, flexible framework that serves as a blueprint to teach you to listen to your skin,” Bowe told HuffPost. “You have a guide which provides structure, organisation and dials down the guesswork and stress when it comes to optimising your skin care routine.”

Let’s talk about why skin cycling is a practice that can be applied to the skin on your body, not just your face.

What is skin cycling, anyway?

Skin cycling promotes the idea of using fewer skin care products per day. Many followers adopt a four-day cycle (see details here), changing the skin care products they use each night, rather than piling them all on at once. This not only offers a more balanced routine but also a much-needed break from acids and strong active ingredients. It looks something like this:

Night one, exfoliation
Night two, retinol
Nights three and four, recovery

“People were adding layer after layer onto their skin care routines and experimenting with ingredient combinations that were irritating and damaging,” Bowe said. “It was a recipe for destroying your skin barrier.”

Aesthetician and product developer Alicia Lartey said that skin cycling works almost like a doctor’s prescription, whereby you use actives to combat a condition and then focus on hydration and recovery of the skin. This easy-to-follow routine is something that resonated with many people.

So what is body cycling?

The classic four-night skin cycling routine is suitable for the body, too, Bowe said. “Based on your skin’s needs, you can adjust the framework to meet your skin where it is. However, I recommend thicker, richer moisturisers for the body as compared to the face on recovery nights.”

The skin on the body is thicker, which means it can withstand stronger ingredients than the face. On the body, heavier creams normally work really well, but on the face they could clog pores.

Extra care should be taken if you are prone to eczema, psoriasis or other similar conditions and consult your doctor before following any new routine.

“The skin on the body tends to have fewer oil glands compared to facial skin, so moisturising is very important, particularly for dry skin and in dry conditions,” said New York-based board-certified dermatologist Dr. Hadley King.

Bowe explained that the face ages faster, as a result of facial expression and contracting muscles, but some areas of the body (like the knees or upper arms) are still prone to thinning. “We can see some similar skin concerns on the body as we see on the face: like breakouts on our chest and back, where oil glands are more concentrated. We see clogged pores on our upper outer arms and thighs,” Bowe said.

There are some ways to enhance this body cycling routine even further, explained board-certified dermatologist Dr. Anar Mikailov. “The key is to apply your body emollient when your skin is still slightly damp, within two to three minutes after getting out of the shower or bath.”

“For normal skin types, exfoliate two to three times a week, either in the shower with a gentle exfoliating wash, or with a gentle body serum or lotion. Look for low-dose AHA or PHA formulas. If you’re using an exfoliating wash, use your normal moisturiser after showering,” Mikailov said. For dryer skin, you might even benefit from moisturising twice a day.

The benefits of body cycling

Exfoliation not only helps with the skin’s texture, but also with dark spots and pigmentation, as well as minimising ingrown hair. Peptides and retinoids can help with the skin’s texture, while also preventing thinning skin, often seen on the hands, chest, upper arms and above the knees. “Retinoids also help to increase cell turnover, increase production of collagen and elastin, and decrease discolouration,” King said.

“Recovery nights are especially important, in my opinion — the skin barrier is just as important to support on the body as on the face,” Bowe said. The products used on recovery nights will strengthen the skin barrier and promote skin repair.

“Use ingredients like squalene, peptides, centella and all other skin conditioning agents like glycerine, hyaluronic acid, fatty acids and sometimes certain butters depending on your skin type (eg. petroleum jelly to act as a barrier),” Lartey explained.

We Tried 8 TikTok Beauty Trends To See If They Really Work

Posted on 19/08/2021 by Boris Clair

TikTok is littered with hair and makeup tutorials, ranging from the wacky to the “oh, this might actually be doable.” While some of them aim to solve common everyday problems (like a flat ponytail, for example), others are a little more out there (for instance, it’s a mystery why anyone would feel the need to draw fake freckles on their face, but that’s a viral tutorial nonetheless).

While no one should feel pressured to sport faux freckles or contour their face to look like a Kardashian, I wanted to see if these TikTok beauty hacks at least deliver on their claims. In that spirit, I tried eight viral TokTok beauty trends to see how they actually work.

1. DIY skin tint (or BB cream)

The concept behind this trend is mixing creams you already own to create a custom shade of skin tint. See an original TikTok video highlighting the trend here:

BB, which stands for “beauty balm,” is meant to be a lightweight base, so mixing your foundation with other products (primers, SPF and more) makes sense. You’ll note that in the original video above, the creator added sunscreen – but be warned that mixing sunscreen with other products diminishes the SPF factor and offers less protection. For this DIY product to work, you have to ensure your foundation and primer have the same base ingredients – for example, if one has a silicone base, the other should too; otherwise the product will roll right off your face.

Did it work?

It did! It feels like the perfect base for summer. I found it was a little tricky applying with a brush, but it was smooth and easy when using fingers. It’s like “your skin but better.” Plus, it’s great that you can customise how much glow or moisturizer you want to add.

Here’s a video of my experiment:

2. High ponytail for long hair

This popular tutorial creates a ponytail that sits up super high and is extra voluminous. It’s done by twisting the hair tie around the bottom part of the ponytail twice. It sounds like it won’t make much difference to the height of a ponytail, but as someone with long and heavy hair, I’m willing to try anything. See an original TikTok tutorial here:

Did it work?

Not only did it work, but it was also extremely easy! And it doesn’t feel like a ponytail that’ll give you a headache. Here’s a video of my experience:

3. A makeup routine that claims to be sweat-proof

If you prep your skin and apply your base makeup products the way this tutorial suggests, it claims to be absolutely sweat-proof. This was inspired by the way drag queens do their makeup, as are many great discoveries in the beauty world. It goes like this: moisturiser, translucent powder, setting spray, makeup primer and foundation. Here’s an original TikTok tutorial:

I originally tried this trick in March 2020 and found it to be a little cake-y for my dry skin, but I was willing to give it another go.

Did it work?

Initially, yes. The base looked very good upon application. But after a while it started pilling (balling up) around my neck. I think it’s one too many layers for me, but I’d still try it again being more careful around my neck area.

Here’s a video of my experiment:

4. The scrunched-up tissue eye look

When I first saw this look, I thought there’d be no way it could actually look good. You take a tissue, wad it up, dip it in random colours of eyeshadow, and dab it on your eyelids to create an artistic, almost tie-dyed look. Here’s an original tutorial from TikTok:

Did it work?

I loved this! Who says you need expensive brushes to create something fun? All you need is a colourful makeup palette and some tissue. Sure, it looks a little messy, but it’s a fun and colourful look I’d gladly wear again. I think brighter colours work best for this beauty trend.

What I used: The NikkieTutorials x Beauty Bay palette. Here’s my take:

5. A quick way to fuller lips

Overlining lips isn’t new, though it grew in popularity thanks to Kylie Jenner. Not everyone loves the overlined look – it can look like too much (it can also look like you have a thin moustache), but this tutorial promises it’s not only easy but very quick, too. Huda Kattan of Huda Beauty recreated it, and she’s also a fan.

Essentially, you purse your lips together very tightly and apply the lipliner around and inside the lips. In essence, because the lips are stretched out, you get a more even overline more quickly. Check it out:

All you need is your lip pencil and a liquid lipstick or lipstick of choice. I tried it with red, as I was feeling adventurous.

Did it work?

I suppose so, but it’s a lot more overlined than I’m used to so it looked weird at first! It was quick and easy, though. I prefer not drawing over my cupid’s bow, and once I cleaned up that part, I liked it a lot more. I used the MAC lip pencil in Cherry and Colourpop Ultra Matte Lip in Creeper. Here’s my video:

6. 10-second contour

All you need is a stick bronzer, your foundation and 10 seconds to the perfect contour. Sound too easy? That’s what I thought, too. You simply contour over the lips, under the cheekbones and chin, and on the forehead, add your foundation on the rest of the face and blend in, like this:

Did it work?

Surprisingly, yes. It was easy and quick and blended in really nicely ― I will certainly use that hack again.

Here’s my take:

7. Using a burnt almond as eyeliner

I couldn’t believe that burning an almond could actually be used as a smoky eye liner/shadow, but apparently it works. I obviously had to try it out, as it seems like an easy and affordable way to do your eye makeup. You just take an almond, burn the tip a little bit, wait for it to cool down (this step is important!) and apply it like you would your shadow when doing a cat-eye. Watch this:

Did it work?

Somewhat so! It was a lot harder to get color out of the almond. Also, let me advise you again to wait until the almond isn’t burning hot! It’s more of a soft smoked outline and though it was a fun challenge, I think I’ll stick to my black eyeshadow and liner for future looks. Here’s my take:

8. Easy and natural-looking freckles

TikTok is full of faux freckle videos, most including fake tanning mousse, which are intimidating and can easily go wrong. However, this tutorial uses Maybelline Brow Tattoo, which is meant for your face ― so I was hoping the colour whould be more natural-looking. Here’s what it claims to do:

To be on the safe side, I picked a color lighter than my hair —colour Medium Brown — and applied it across my nose and cheeks.

Did it work?

It worked so well! It created a very natural-looking result ― I went over my natural nose freckles and did some more over my cheeks. I think leaving it on for two hours wasn’t necessary, but the product’s instructions recommend that for the colour to last three days. I will try it again, for sure. Here’s my attempt: