Grab your glitter liner, slip into something that sparkles, and don’t forget a notebook—you’ll want to take notes. It’s not every day you get invited to a beauty party where the guest list includes dermatologists, supermodels, makeup artists, hairstylists, and more. But here we are, celebrating 11 years of shared wisdom, surprising hacks, and industry secrets that’ll change the way you look at the products already on your shelf.
This isn’t about rushing to buy the newest serum or blowing half your paycheck on a fancy treatment. Instead, it’s about clever, almost-too-simple-to-be-true tricks from people who live and breathe beauty. The kind of advice that makes you think, Ahhh, so that’s how they do it. Consider this your party favor: a highlight reel of the most useful, practical, and delightfully unexpected beauty tips we’ve gathered over the past decade.
Skincare: The Foundation of It All
The pros agree: less is more. Not fewer products necessarily, but fewer experiments all at once. Dermatologist Patricia Wexler insists that hopping between three different retinols and a half-dozen moisturizers isn’t doing your skin any favors. Pick your routine, stick with it, and introduce changes one at a time.
When it comes to moisturizers, aesthetician Sofie Pavitt is refreshingly pragmatic: skip the hype. To her, classic Nivea cream works just as well as luxury jars of La Mer. The real point of moisturizer is sealing hydration in—not chasing a miracle ingredient.
Need a quick fix for puffiness? PR beauty director Bec Wilson swears by keeping jade rollers, eye masks, and even mists in the fridge. It’s an instant wake-up call for your skin. And if you’ve never heard of dermaplaning—basically, gently shaving your face—model Hilary Rhoda is a longtime fan. Beyond removing peach fuzz, it leaves skin photo-ready and smooth, which Old Hollywood icons apparently knew all along.
One tip that comes with urgency: SPF. Always. Model Iman recalls her dermatologist insisting she use SPF 45 once she hit 40. “People think Black skin doesn’t need sunscreen, but it’s key, key, key every single day,” she emphasizes. A reminder worth repeating.
Makeup: Tricks of the Trade
If skincare is the prep work, makeup is where creativity comes in. But balance matters. Makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes swears by natural-looking skin and brows as the canvas—then you can go as bold as you want elsewhere.
Foundation, for example, shouldn’t stop at your jawline. Shayna Goldberg recommends blending across the neck, ears, and even the hairline for a seamless finish. For a breathable look, actress Victoria Loke blots excess foundation with a tissue to soften the finish without losing coverage.
Want lifted cheeks and fuller lips? Makeup artist Violette suggests dabbing highlight on cheekbones and the cupid’s bow for instant dimension. Similarly, Nam Vo likens foundation to “burnt toast”—lighter in the middle, deeper around the edges—for a three-dimensional effect.
Models like Cindy Crawford and Karen Elson still look to makeup legends like Kevyn Aucoin and Pat McGrath for guidance. Crawford learned to highlight down the bridge of the nose instead of contouring, while Elson swears by applying products with her fingers. The warmth of your hands, says Charlotte Tilbury, blends foundation beautifully while waking up the skin.
Other tricks are almost mischievously simple: Mila Jovovich uses lip color as blush, eyeshadow, and even a glossy eye topper. Rosemary Ferguson swipes Eight Hour Cream across cheekbones and brows for a subtle sheen. And Sir John, Beyoncé’s go-to artist, conditions lips with eye cream instead of balm—it sinks in without leaving a waxy film, making matte lipstick last longer.
Body: Beyond Skin Deep
Your beauty routine doesn’t stop at your face. Dieux Skin founder Charlotte Palermino has a smart hack: use chemical exfoliants like glycolic acid on arms, feet, and anywhere that needs smoothing before self-tanner. The result? A tan that looks even and lasts longer.
Fragrance, too, has its secrets. Actress Liv Tyler dabs scent in unexpected places like her belly button or underarms—spots that naturally generate heat, helping the fragrance linger. Meanwhile, Debi Mazar takes luxury to a new level by washing lingerie in her favorite scented soap so the fragrance subtly lingers throughout the day.
Hair: Mastering the Mane
Great hair often comes down to planning. Alexa Chung and her hairstylist coined the term “Future Cuts”—mapping out how you want your hair to look months from now so every trim works toward that goal.
Curly-haired readers take note: writer Harling Ross learned that sulfate-free shampoos and heavy conditioners transformed her texture. Hairstylist Cyndia Harvey adds that curly strands take longer for natural oils to reach the ends—so keep oils off your scalp to avoid dandruff, and focus hydration on the lengths.
For quick styling, model Emily DiDonato’s trick with a flat iron creates effortless corkscrew curls—always smoothing the ends for a cooler, undone look. Misty Copeland warns against overusing bobby pins and suggests conditioner as a sleeker, healthier alternative to hairspray. And Elaine Welteroth champions finger-detangling: slower, yes, but far gentler and it enhances natural texture instead of fighting it.
The Beauty of Shared Wisdom
If there’s one throughline across all these voices, it’s this: beauty isn’t about hoarding products or chasing perfection. It’s about learning small, clever adjustments that make what you already own work harder. Whether it’s refrigerating your jade roller, using eye cream as lip prep, or detangling curls with nothing but patience, these tips remind us that beauty is equal parts creativity and care.
So as ITG blows out its 11th birthday candles, consider this your invitation to the ongoing party. No RSVP required—just a willingness to try something new, scribble down a note or two, and maybe, just maybe, finally understand how everyone else seems to know things. Turns out, the secret is they’ve just been sharing all along.
