How long does makeup last? Which products really work? 10 beauty questions for the editors

10 beauty questions for the BRIGITTE editorial team

1. How do I get great eyelashes?

We already know: these long, dense, but natural ones are meant. Have you tried everything with eyeliner, eyelash curlers and mascara? Then eyelash serums could be your game changer. Because they can still get a lot of length and fullness – even the products without the controversial variants of the hormone prostaglandin. They make the hairs sprout with substances such as castor oil, biotin, glycerin and peptides.

Applied daily along the eyelash line, they produce visible results after about six weeks. Eyeliners or mascaras with integrated serum that tint at the same time are also practical. Cosmetic salons offer professional treatments that achieve natural results with coloring, an eyelash lift for curl or thickening.

2. How do I get more shine in my hair?

With everything that smoothes the hair surface and improves light reflection: special shine, washing and care products, DIY rinses with lemon or vinegar water or shine sprays when styling. A real highlight are glossings and glazings at the hairdresser, nourishing treatments that bring maximum shine and luminosity.

3. What trick can you use to create an eyeliner?

It’s not rocket science, but it does take some practice. The best way to do this is in good light, while sitting with your arm propped up. This way you have the movements of your hand under control. You should also have cotton swabs and cleansers ready for correction.

Prop up your arm, look straight into the mirror and draw a line close to the lash line from the middle to the outer corner of the eye, then from the middle to the inner corner of the eye. If it doesn’t work in one go, several points on the eyelash line divide the route and connect them piece by piece. This is easy to do with kajal or liquid liner with a felt-tip pen.

4. Do you have to apply makeup with a brush?

Of course not! But it looks nicer and you can work more precisely with it. This makes a difference, especially with eyeliner, eyeshadow and lip make-up. Foundation can be distributed more finely and blush can be placed more easily with the angled blush brush. But that’s a matter of taste. Of course, clean fingers or sponges also work. It is important to clean brushes at least once a week.

5. What helps with dark circles under the eyes?

Dark circles caused by genetics, lack of sleep or lack of iron are annoying. You always look exhausted. The quickest way to conceal it is with a concealer that’s slightly lighter than your own skin tone – a shimmering one brightens it up even more.

Highlighters under the brow and in the inner corner of the eye make the look more awake. Eye care with hyaluronic acid, retinol or coenzyme Q10, brightening mulberry or grapevine extract also helps in the long term.

6. Can Gua Shas and facial rollers really tighten skin?

Even if the hype surrounding massage tools made from energetic stones such as rose quartz, jade or rock crystal is too esoteric for many people, they have a noticeable effect on the skin and muscles. Massages with facial oil or other lubricating care relax you deeply, so that facial wrinkles can actually be alleviated. They also increase blood circulation and ensure that congested lymph fluid is removed better. Therefore, the cool hand flatterers are great for combating swelling and making the face look tighter and more contoured – at least for a few hours. And me-time is good for the soul.

7. Do nutritional supplements really do anything?

Yes – when the body needs it. If we are healthy and eat well, this is rare. But stressful times can throw the micronutrient balance out of balance. And then the preparations can help balance things out.

However, your doctor should clarify in advance what exactly is wrong with you. Often it is vitamin D, iron, vitamin B12 or omega-3 fatty acids. In addition, antioxidants protect cells, collagen peptides have been shown to improve skin elasticity and biotin strengthens hair and nails.

8. How long do cosmetic products last?

Not forever. If they are less than 30 months, they even have a best-before date. If they last longer, the symbol of the opened cream jar with the number and an M shows how long the product can be used after opening, approximately “6M” for six months. But this only applies if stored correctly. If you find forgotten treasures like the lipstick from back then or the scented sunscreen from vacation, you should trust your instincts. If the consistency or smell has changed, it’s better to get rid of it straight away!

9. What to do to make makeup last long?

Eyeshadow and lipstick in particular like to go their own way. If you want to prevent this, prime your eyelids with primer and then fix creamy eyeshadow with powder.

Prime the lips with base, outline the contours with lip liner and then fill in with color. Dab with a cloth, apply again and repeat. Alternative: color your lips with liner.

10. How do you know what will be trending?

We base ourselves on the hair and make-up looks from international fashion shows and are in close contact with experts from the industry such as cosmetics companies, hair and make-up artists, perfumers, dermatologists and beauticians: inside what is currently current for them. If something seems exciting to our readers, we check how we can implement it, whether it needs a lot of pictures, such as a make-up trend, whether it needs more explanation, whether perhaps an expert needs to say something about it (e.g to a new active ingredient). Or whether we can take readers behind the scenes in a report, for example to the blossom harvest of a luxury perfume house or into the metaverse.

Bridget