If you think about it, we’re all running tiny beauty startups. Each of us is the founder, CEO, and sometimes the entire staff. The product? A personal routine that makes us look and feel like our best selves. The process? A whole lot of trial, error, and learning on the fly. Where do you save? Where do you splurge? And how do you even know if you’re doing it “right”?

The truth is, nobody starts out as an expert. We pick up tips, experiment with formulas, and swap stories like any good entrepreneur would. And if Into The Gloss has proven anything, it’s that beauty isn’t just about what’s inside a bottle—it’s about the little lessons tucked in between. Over the past year, the Top Shelf crew has dropped some wisdom worth bookmarking. Here’s what stood out.

Beauty Should Make You Feel More Like You

At its best, makeup isn’t about transformation—it’s about amplification. Several Top Shelf guests reminded us that the most powerful routines are the ones that highlight what you already love about yourself.

A musician once shared her guiding rule: pick three things that matter most, and make them your everyday staples. For her, it’s mascara, lip gloss, and brows—done. Simple, but effective.

Interior designer Athena Calderone has her own formula: when she reaches for a bold red lip, cheeks stay bare and matte for a look that’s equal parts Gwen Stefani and Snow White. On quieter days, it’s tinted balm plus a little flush.

And writer Zeba Blay—once told by her mother that red lipstick wasn’t flattering on dark skin—chose the opposite route. Now, she swears by punchy pigments, proof that bold lips look incredible on deep tones. For her, lipstick is less about rules and more about creating instant polish when everything else feels undone.

Affordable Doesn’t Mean Inferior

The myth that expensive equals better? Consider it busted.

Charlotte Palermino of Dieux Skin pointed out that great products exist at every price point. Two creams can both work wonders without being “dupes”—sometimes a drugstore formula just shines on its own.

Plenty of Top Shelfers echoed this. Designer Molly Goddard admits The Body Shop is her budget-friendly go-to. Toni Ko of NYX still relies on Pond’s Cold Cream and a Dove Beauty Bar. And reality star Lala Kent? She champions old-school staples like Vaseline and Johnson & Johnson baby oil, just like the generations before her.

The moral: your bathroom shelf doesn’t need to max out a credit card.

But Let’s Be Honest—Sometimes It Is About Money

Of course, there’s another side to the story. Skincare, in particular, can get expensive. Social media strategist Peyton Dix put it bluntly: the secret to many celebrities’ radiant skin isn’t a hidden serum or a new-fangled device. It’s disposable income. High-level treatments and luxury creams often come at a price that isn’t accessible to everyone. And acknowledging that reality matters just as much as celebrating budget finds.

The Learning Never Stops

The beauty aisle is full of “aha” moments waiting to happen.

Model Tabria Majors learned to dampen her Beautyblender with warm water—not cold—for a smoother finish. Stylist Michelle Li discovered the healing powers of Manuka honey after a sunburn on a New Zealand farm. And jewelry specialist Joanna Gong shared a gem of wisdom: some stones, like pearls and turquoise, absorb oils and creams, so take them off before moisturizing if you want to keep them sparkling.

These tips are proof that the best hacks often come from unexpected places.

Every Problem Has a Fix

Persistent beauty challenges don’t mean dead ends—they just call for the right solution.

Comedian Rinny Perkins pointed out how seborrheic dermatitis often goes undiagnosed among Black women, partly because medicated shampoos aren’t designed with textured hair in mind. Her discovery? A foam formulation that could be applied directly to the scalp—even with braids.

Colorist Tracey Cunningham offered a low-maintenance trick for blondes: highlight, then “root” with darker color to avoid brassiness and stretch out touch-ups.

And for those fighting flakes, Ami Colé founder Diarrha N’Diaye-Mbaye swears by biweekly dry brushing. Meanwhile, Mistress Iris found her holy grail for slicking baby hairs: molding paste plus a comb, which lasts longer than hairspray.

Rules Exist—But They’re Flexible

For every “rule,” there’s someone proving that beauty is more art than science.

One creative swears by applying Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser in the shower as a mini mask. Model Emily DiDonato cracked the code for corkscrew curls with a flat iron. Charlotte Palermino admitted she uses The Ordinary’s acids on her arms and feet instead of her face. And Newness co-founder Youri Park? She repurposes cream shadows as blush because, why not?

The underlying lesson is simple: the best beauty routines are personal, playful, and sometimes a little rebellious.

The Big Takeaway

What emerges from all these tips is a reminder that beauty isn’t linear—it’s trial and error, mixing and matching, and figuring out what makes you feel most comfortable. Sometimes it’s a $200 serum, sometimes it’s a $3 bar of soap, and sometimes it’s honey straight from a farm in New Zealand.

Think of your routine as a startup: messy at first, but full of potential once you learn the ropes. And luckily, the beauty world is filled with generous mentors willing to share what they’ve learned along the way.

Because in the end, the best beauty advice doesn’t just make your skin glow—it makes you feel more like yourself.