Shave 10 years off with these pro beauty tips in the new year… and it won’t cost you ANYTHING

Is your makeup actually aging you instead of making you look younger?

While there are plenty of YouTube tutorials and TikTok beauty gurus singing the praises of different techniques and pricey products, it can be hard to keep up, and even more difficult to find ones that work for you. 

Plus, it’s not worth spending hundreds of dollars on fancy cosmetics , only to find out they made you look older rather than more youthful, which sadly happens far too often. 

To find out the best ways to look ten years younger without dropping money on expensive products or treatments, the Daily Mail has spoken to various beauty pros. 

From discarding eyeliner that could make older eyes look heavy to defining and hydrating lips, they shared their most helpful hacks that won’t break the bank. 

Instead of breaking the bank on your beauty routine in 2026, invest in these expert-approved helpful self-care tips to look younger instantly, including tossing out dirty old makeup brushes and spending time massaging your face (the right way, of course). 

These free hacks will lead to better skin and don’t require a trip to Sephora.

Here’s how to look dewy, hydrated and youthful without breaking the bank. 

Ditch the heavy eyeliner 

Rodial Group founder Maria Hatzistefanis, who’s in her early 50s, shared her favorite ‘no spend tweaks that make you look fresher in minutes’ with the Daily Mail.

The London-based beauty CEO said the best way to look younger instantly is by only lining the upper lash line to ‘keep things lifted.’ 

‘Skipping any pencil under the eyes makes an immediate difference, as it avoids dragging the eye down and prevents emphasizing dark circles,’ the How to Make Your First Million author explained. 

But just because you’re not heavily lining your eyes doesn’t mean you have to throw out your eyeliner completely. 

RMS Beauty founder Rose-Marie Swift said she still ‘loves a sexy smudge,’ adding that the best way to achieve the perfect look is by going ‘straight into the upper lash line with black liner, then soften and smudge it out with a brush or your finger.’

The beauty guru recommended keeping the liner tight to the roots and flicking the outer corners slightly up, and never down, to lift the eye. 

‘Finish with black mascara, it brightens the whites of the eyes,’ Swift advised, adding that it’s best to wiggle at the roots and pull through. 

‘If lashes are sparse, skip the lower lashes so you don’t cast shadows,’ she guided. 

Swap heavy powders for glowy creams

Don’t be scared of using creams instead of powders as you age. 

Both Hatzistefanis and Swift said they are fans of creamy, glowy formulas that brighten the face. 

New York City and London-based celebrity makeup artist Mary Wiles, who works with stars including Sarah Snook, Elizabeth Olsen, Sadie Sink and Naomi Watts, also gushed over cream blush, as she said it gives a ‘pretty sheen to the skin.’ 

Swift said she believes it is best to wear less makeup in general, warning, ‘Trying to cover up your age with makeup actually ages you more.’ 

‘Conceal what needs help and leave the rest of your skin to glow,’ Swift, who was the makeup artist for the Victoria’s Secret Angels, advised. 

Swift recommended ditching powders made up of primarily talc and clay laden formulas as they dry out the skin and can look thick. 

She said that ‘moisture beats matte,’ explaining, ‘dewy, hydrated skin reads youthful,’ while ‘flat, powdery skin reads tired.’

Define your lips 

‘For lips, definition is everything,’ Hatzistefanis said, adding that she prefers to slightly over-line her lips using a liner that’s either the same shade as her natural lip or a touch deeper. 

But she added that just because you’re defining your lips and lip line doesn’t mean it is about using a heavy lipstick or dehydrating lip liner. 

Instead, Hatzistefanis recommended a lightweight lip oil for volume, shine and a fresher, more youthful finish.

Swift said hydration also matters, and suggested staying away from flat, ultra-matte formulas with no moisture, which will age you instantly. 

She said to ‘stick with hydrating tints, balmy stains, or a serum-like lipstick that feels like skincare.’  

Thicken thinning brows 

All that over tweezing back in the day might be catching up with you now. 

‘Brows naturally tend to grow shorter and less thick so using a thickening brow tinted brow gel that may have fibers will instantly regain a youthful look,’ Wiles explained.

The celebrity makeup artist recommended Benefit Gimme Brow ($28). which is tinted and volumizing.

Swift agreed that brows should be full, and said it’s best to let them grow and then fill them in with hair-like strokes where it’s sparse. 

‘A blocky brow pulls the eyes in and makes you look stern,’ Swift advised. 

Stay hydrated

Wiles suggested drinking water to keep skin hydrated, eating good fats and taking cod liver oil to keep skin supple. 

Margot Grant Witz, the Vice President at her grandmother’s company Elizabeth Grant Skin Care, agreed that ‘hydration and sleep are the fastest visible skin transformers,’ explaining ‘If you are dehydrated and under-rested, your skin will always show it.’

The skincare aficionado suggested using a gentle milk cleanser, a hydrating serum, and a barrier-supporting moisturizer morning and night for the ultimate in moisturizing. 

Witz also called a humidifier ‘essential’ during the winter months and explained that ‘dry indoor heat can compromise the skin barrier quickly.’

Embrace massage

Wiles is a big fan of massage, but that does not mean booking pricey appointments… instead, she said it’s all about DIY. 

She encouraged lymphatic drainage with fingers or tools, which ‘instantly increases blood flow to the surface of the skin, helps drain puffiness and brings a natural flush to the skin.’ 

Witz agreed that facial massage is the way to go, but she said she prefers using a facial oil or serum so your hands glide, and ever pull or tug the skin. 

‘Over time, that breaks down elasticity and ages the face,’ Witz said, recommending cold spoons or a chilled jade roller for de-puffing the eyes, especially in the morning to instantly brighten the face without any product.

Step up your cleansing routine

One reason your makeup might not be sitting right could be your cleansing routine (or lack of one).  

‘When removing makeup, start with an oil-based cleanser and follow with a regular cleanser for the face and the body,’ Witz said. 

‘Two completely free habits that make a major difference are washing your makeup brushes often and changing your pillowcases frequently,’ Witz also advised. 

In fact, one study found that your makeup brushes could be dirtier than a toilet seat. 

While it’s not free, the experts said having better quality makeup brushes does make a difference, and you don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars. Morphe offers a six-piece set to upgrade your brush game for only $30.  

‘Clean tools and clean fabrics alone can noticeably calm and brighten the skin,’ Witz explained.