The Most Googled Beauty Questions of 2021, Answered

Question #1: Is There A Way To Make Lashes Look Longer Without Applying Falsies?
Answer: “It’s perfectly possible to get a strong and thick lash without using false eyelashes,” says make-up artist Jessica Kell. “Start by smudging a soft black kohl pencil right into the bottom of your lash line and blend it out slightly. This creates a shadow at the root of the lashes which makes them look longer when they’re finished. Then, use an eyelash curler starting at the root and give them a good curl at the bottom, middle and just below the tip for a full dimensional curl. After that, apply a lengthening mascara, really working it at the root and apply pressure as you swipe it to the ends. Do one eye and then the other and go back in for a second and third coat, keeping the brush pushed up against the lashes. My favourite mascara is the Hourglass Cosmetics Caution Mascara.” 
 
Question #2: What’s The Correct Order In Which To Apply Skincare?
Answer: “In the morning, you should always begin with a cleanse, followed by a toner, then apply your serum, followed closely by your moisturiser, and finally an SPF,” advises facialist and skincare expert Michaella Bolder. “In the evening, start by cleansing and toning again, but after that, exfoliate (at least twice a week), then apply your serum and a retinol before finishing off with a night-time moisturiser or facial oil. This is the routine I recommend to all my clients for visible results. It’s also the correct order in which to apply all your different skincare textures, so you never get any pilling – maximum absorption means maximum results.” 
 
Question #3: Do You Have Any Easy Tips For Feline Flicks & Cat Eyes? 
Answer: “Create your cat eye with shadows first, then amplify it with liner,” says Jessica. “Start by creating the shape with a matte shadow in the crease and taking the crease to more of a wing in the outer corner. Once you’ve created the shape with the shadows, exaggerate it with a soft kohl liner by lining the lashes and bringing the liner into a lifted flick. Always finish with a couple of coats of very black mascara.”

Question #4: Why Is Vitamin C So Beneficial In Skincare?
Answer: “Vitamin C in a stabilised condition travels deep into your cells to stimulate collagen production,” says Michaella. “It also repairs free radical damage (caused by pollution), brightens the skin and promotes healing through its antioxidant powers, which keep our cells healthy and strong. In short, it’s the kind of ingredient that works hard to keep everything in check. It’s why it’s often referred to as an anti-ageing powerhouse.” 
 
Question #5: How Can You Fix Make-Up That’s Become Cake-y? 
Answer: “Cake-y make-up can be a real problem, especially throughout the day or if you like fuller coverage, but there are a few tricks to fix it,” advises Jessica. “Often, make-up starts to appear cakey because there’s too much product build up on the skin, so starting with a clean and really well prepped base is key. Make sure you properly hydrate the skin before make-up application with a great hydrating serum and moisturiser – I love the Hydrobio range from Bioderma. Then, apply your make-up in light layers – especially your primer and foundation. Start with less than you think you need and add it sparingly only to the areas that need it most. Use a round buffing brush and apply your foundation onto the skin in circular motions. Also, try switching from a heavy pressed powder to a lightweight finely milled loose powder when it comes time to set your concealer in place. The Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder is a pro favourite.”
 
Question #6: Niacinamide Is Everywhere Now – Is It Worth A Try?
Answer: “Niacinamide – also known as vitamin B3 – carries high anti-inflammatory benefits,” says Michaella. “It helps to balance your skin’s pH levels and regulate excess oiliness. Niacinamide also improves our lipid barrier function, which means it restores hydration and reduces oxidative stress. The result? A calmer, smoother and healthier-looking complexion. It’s a must-try for those prone to sensitivities.” 

Question #7: What Are Some Of The Best Make-Up Brushes?
Answer: “Make-up brushes do a lot of the work for you, so it’s worth investing in the right ones,” advises Jessica. “You’ll find My Kit Co. brushes in almost every professional make-up artist’s kit. I couldn't live without My Flawless Face Brush. Kit Stars is another great budget-friendly brand that offers brushes with both natural and synthetic hairs depending on your preference. My favourites are the fluffy eyeshadow brushes and the synthetic Shaping Veil Brush. If you’re looking to splurge on a brush that will last a lifetime, try the Suqqu brush range. They deliver the perfect amount of product and can totally transform your final look. The Smudging Eye Brush is always in my kit, and I also love the Black Blush Brush.”
 
Question #8: Which Skincare Products Don’t Mix Well Together?
Answer: “Vitamin C likes to be kept in a dark place on its own,” explains Michaella. “Apply this ingredient to clean skin and leave it be for at least two to three minutes before you apply anything else. Likewise, mixing acids and retinols can be too stimulating, so try to balance these ingredients out by applying only one of them a day, rather than all at once. Another rule is to stick to vitamin C in the morning and retinol at night – never the other way around as retinol sensitises your skin in daylight, whereas at night it has time to absorb properly. Finally, avoid using vitamin C and AHAs together too often. They can over-stimulate the skin and can cause sensitivity, so again, try to avoid using them both on the same day.” 
 
Question #9: What Role Do AHAs Play In Your Skincare Routine?
Answer: “AHAs are a family of chemical exfoliating acids,” says Michaella. “They are blended into skincare products to encourage cell turnover, which results in smoother skin and less oil production. Depending on what product you buy, they can be very well tolerated by most – just make sure you patch test it first, or introduce them gradually, building up your usage over time. They’re ideal for anyone with dull skin wanting more glow.”

Question #10: Any Advice For Achieving A Natural-Looking Make-Up Look?
Answer: “Natural make-up is all about enhancing your best features, without overpowering them,” says Jessica. “It’s less about looking like you have nothing on, and more about focusing on the key areas. I love a lightweight base on top of dewy skin. For the rest of your complexion, it’s all about a soft bronzer, buffed out from the hairline, over the cheekbones and a little on the nose too for a soft glow. The Victoria Beckham Bronzer contains two shades, so it keeps you glowing all year round. A touch of chocolate brown shadow used along the lash line also adds definition, while a good layer of mascara will finish the look nicely. If you want something on the lips, but want it to look natural, try a tinted balm instead of a lipstick. It gives a softer, healthier finish. My new favourite is the Tinted Balm from Typology, which is hydrating with a lovely, juicy colour.”
 
Question #11: Do Beauty Products Really Expire? And If So, When?
Answer: “Different beauty products expire at different times depending on whether they are creams, powders or liquids,” says Jessica. “So, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on how long you’ve had certain items in the bottom of your make-up bag or the back of a drawer. To keep everything hygienic and your make-up looking fresh, it’s worth going through everything roughly every six months. Throw out anything you haven’t touched in a year or that might have a strange scent to it. The rough timeline for creams and liquids is a year and two years for powders, but always go with your gut.”
 
Question #12: If You Want To Use An Oil In Your Skincare Routine, When Is Best To Do So?
Answer: “Oil is best used at night when it can properly absorb,” says Michaella. “However, a few drops into your day cream or foundation for an added boost of nourishment during the winter is ideal. It’s always worth applying one if you use a retinol at night. Massage it in after – it’s a great way to nurture your skin overnight and let your cells repair.” 

Question #13: If You’re Prone To Acne, How Should You Apply Make-Up?
Answer: “I have suffered with acne on and off for years, so I know how frustrating it can be to have to cover flare-ups,” says Jessica. “Always treat acne-prone skin as sensitive skin, so use hydrating formulas wherever possible. Start with a light-to-medium foundation as your first base to even out tone, but not to cover everything. Once you have a light base, you can go in with a heavier foundation in the same shade, or a heavier concealer on areas you feel need it most, leaving the rest with just a single layer. Finish off with a finely milled powder – you’ll only need a single layer. Giorgio Armani’s Luminous Silk is brilliant, as is its Soft Matte Complete Concealer.”
 
Question #14: Do Toners Really Work? Where Should They Come In Your Skincare Routine?
Answer: “Back in the day, the purpose of a toner was to further clean the skin,” says Michaella. “Now, they contain key active ingredients to boost your daily skincare routine – think hyaluronic acid and AHAs. Many are now ‘focused’ on individual skin concerns and usually help anything you apply afterwards absorb better. They’re always thin in consistency, so they never feel sticky or greasy – they’re the key to brighter, more hydrated skin.” 
 
Question #15: Are There Any Quick Ways To Get Rid Of Acne?
Answer: “My first recommendation is always to visit your GP, or a registered dermatologist to discuss your acne,” advises Michaella. “Whether it is hereditary, hormonally charged or related to medication concerns, it’s important to get a thorough review and understanding of what could be driving it. From there, I would encourage a gentle cleanser, a salicylic acid serum – or a cleanser that contains salicylic acid – and a niacinamide serum. Likewise, a clay mask once or twice a week can be hugely beneficial. Finally, finish with an oil-free moisturiser – acne-prone skin still requires hydration.”

Question #16: How Can You Fill In Your Brows For Best Results?
Answer: “To achieve a natural, but full brow, you need to brush brows up into the shape you want,” explains Jessica. “Doing this first will also help you know where the gaps are, so you can fill in the shape easily. Once they’re brushed up, take a natural powder, or a fine eyebrow pen and mimic the look of more hairs by drawing soft lines in the direction of your natural growth. My go-to is the Suqqu Eyebrow Pen  – it delivers the perfect amount of product with the most realistic shade.”
 
Question #17: Finally, What’s The Easiest Way To Apply Liquid Eyeliner?
Answer: “Liquid liner can be tricky to get the hang of, but when you find the best tools for the job, it’s much easier,” explains Jessica. “When starting out, try a liquid liner pen as they’re the easiest to control. Start your line in the middle of the eye, right above the iris – this will help to gauge the width. Once you have the middle in place, pull the line to the outer corner of the eye. Here, you can either pull it up into a wing or round it off at the end of your lash line. Once you have the outer line in place, go back to the inner corner and gently add a thin line from the inner corner to meet it. My tried and tested eyeliner pens are the Chantecaille Le Stylo Ultra Slim Liquid Eyeliner for a slim and natural line or the Charlotte Tilbury Feline Flick for a thicker but controlled flick.”
 
 
Follow @MichaellaBolder & @JessicaKMakeup