12 TikTok Beauty Hacks We Learned in 2021

Searching for ways to simplify your hair routine or nail a new makeup trick? Look no further than TikTok, a goldmine for beauty hacks.

If you’ve somehow managed to avoid downloading TikTok all this time, consider giving in now. Built for bite-sized videos, TikTok has been a proper goldmine for hacks of all varieties in 2021, especially when it came to beauty. We love an over-the-top makeup look, but always welcome ways to simplify our routines — if only to pass the time by learning something new. We’ve rounded up some of the best TikTok beauty hacks of 2021 — from heatless curls and the wolf cut to slugging and lip contouring — as demonstrated by some of our favourite TikTok users, below.

1. Retain moisture by “slugging”

The name could use a rebrand, but slugging might be the easiest hack we’ve learned all year. To retain moisture (especially in the dry winter months), simply finish off your nighttime skincare routine with Vaseline or another occlusive product. Here, TikTok user @_rakhstarbeauty opts for CeraVe Healing Ointment, which she says is like a “big hug for your skin.” Sign us up!

@_rakhstarbeauty Slugging! #slugging #skincare #skincareroutine #vaseline #cerave @cerave ♬ original sound – R A K H S T A R

2. Use tape for the perfect winged eyeliner

Does doing your winged liner send you into a tailspin of anxiety? Tape might be your answer. TikTok user @kat_longoria demonstrates how she uses the tape to create a template for the most perfect, crisp wing. The best part? You can just smudge on the colour with your fingers. This trick is excellent for people with hooded eyes who struggle to make their liner look perfect, too.

@kat_longoria##eyeliner tutorial❤️‍🔥♬ original sound – xxtristanxo

3. The key to hair roller success

If you’re into a perfectly set roller blowout but struggle to achieve long-lasting results, TikTok user @acquiredstyle shared her top tip: Just leave the rollers in a little longer. She recommends a minimum of 10 minutes, but has left the rollers in for up to an hour at times. Her end result speaks for itself.

@acquiredstyle The secret to roller success #hairrollers #hairtutorial #salonblowoutathome ♬ original sound – ACQUIRED STYLE

4. Get flowy, healthy curls with socks

We might have tons of time on our hands these days to manually curl our hair, but who wants to toil away with a curling iron when there’s an easier way? TikTok user @222bev showed her followers how she gets her long hair curled beautifully just using socks. Simply apply a leave-in conditioner and grab some fuzzy socks to twist around your hair sections. Sleep with the socks in overnight and wake up with bouncy curls.

@222bev Reply to @brooke.simondsx has made my hair so healthy too! #hairtutorial #heatlesscurls #sockcurls ♬ original sound – Bev

5. Put soap in your eyebrows

This tip has quickly gained popularity on TikTok as we trade in exaggeratedly dark brows for bushy, more natural-looking ones. TikToker and model @blueeyedcai demonstrated running a spoolie along a bar of damp soap, and combing it through her eyebrows. This technique allows each strand of eyebrow hair to stand out, giving brows a fuller, more polished look without being overdone.

@blueyedcai Eyebrow tutorial ✨ using @benefitcosmetics eyebrow pencil and Pears soap to sculpt! ✨ #fyp #foryou #eyebrows #soapbrows #makeuptutorial #makeup ♬ streets x needed me by adamusic – Adam Wright

6. Do your makeup backwards

Apparently, we’ve been doing our makeup wrong this whole time. To avoid creasing or runny makeup, TikTok user @sylvi.uhh says we need to switch things up a bit. Follow up your moisturizer with a bit of powder, setting spray and primer, and then use your regular foundation. Definitely a hot tip for weather-proofing our makeup looks this spring and summer.

@makeup My foundation has NEVER looked this smooth 🤩🤩 @sylvi.uhh #foryoupage #foryou #fyp #grwm #makeuphack #foundation #foundationhack #makeuptips ♬ original sound – Jarida🖤

7. Get the illusion of fuller lips by contouring your mouth

As aggressively contoured cheeks are feeling increasingly tired, we’re looking towards contouring our mouths now. TikTok’s @kyliekillzzzz showed her fans how, and all you’ll need is a contour stick in a shade that works with your skin tone. Line the sides of your top lips and underneath your bottom lip, and blend it out with a makeup sponge for an instantly lifted lip.

@kyliekillzzzz WHY I CONTOUR AROUND MY LIPS. Try this contouring technique, tag me and use the hashtag #lipcontourchallenge ♬ original sound – Kylie Larsen

8. The wolf cut

Who didn’t try an at-home pandemic hair cut? (Be honest, we won’t tell your stylist.) If any hairstyle defined TikTok beauty hacks in 2021, it was the rocker-chic wolf cut. Feeling brave? Grab your sharpest scissors and follow @ochenwaves video to live your best textured life.

@ochenwaves i wanted more body & texture in my hair so i followed a brad mondo tutorial #greenscreenvideo #wolfcut ♬ LATCH SLOWED DOWN – ISA

9. Use lip balm to amp up your shadow

As lip balms are usually formulated with petroleum jelly, beeswax or cocoa butter, one of TikTok’s resident makeup and skincare gurus @glamzillaxo explains this makes them emollient, and therefore the perfect mixing medium for pigments. The opportunities are endless — lipbalms, blushes, you name it.

@glamzillaLIP BALM TO AMP UP YOUR SHADOWS?!? #viralvideo #fyp #makeup #makeuphacks♬ original sound – GLAMZILLA

10. Get a face lift with blush

Does it feel like the stress of a pandemic is aging you? Are you still applying your blush like it’s 2016?  TikTok user @alessa.miki has the solution. Blush isn’t just for the apples of your cheeks anymore — it can literally change the way your face looks when correctly applied. Use it to give off the appearance of high cheekbones, or for a sunburned youthful glow without the damage.

@alessa.mikiHow blush literally changes your face shape ##makeup101 ##beginnermakeup ##blushhacks♬ Kiss My (Uh Oh) – Anne-Marie & Little Mix

11. Turn your eyeshadow into lip gloss

Transform your favourite eyeshadow colour into a poppin’ lip gloss with this simple trick demonstrated by TikTok’s @makiyarobale1. Simply apply your shade of choice to moisturized lips with a small eyeshadow brush, dab a little concealer in the middle to brighten and finish the look off with some gloss.

@makiyarobale1 Sooo I used eyeshadow to fill In my lips👄 #liptutorial #lipgloss #creative #mua #hijabi #makeuphacks #liphack ♬ My One and Own – Kylie

12. Apply foundation with a jade roller

The most luxurious foundation applicator of 2021? A jade roller, of course. Here, TikTok user @avonnasunshine demonstrates how to use the facial massage tool to blend in your favourite base. Typically reserved for rolling on serums, Avonna explains this method shrinks the appearance of pores for a smooth surface and full coverage.

@avonnasunshineGAME CHANGER!!!! @Maybelline New York fit me 340♬ original sound – Avonna Sunshine