Beauty lessons learned from Tiktok
ONE of the things that changed in the 2022 beauty landscape was that it wasn’t enough for an influencer to say, for instance, that this lipstick was good. They had to try the lipstick, test it by eating and drinking, film the process, and upload the video on social media, usually Tiktok.
In just a few months, many beauty Tiktokers became Internet superstars because unlike traditional influencers, they were ready to “dirty” their hands and faces by actually trying out makeup and skin-care products.
Thanks or no thanks to Tiktok, many beauty products were sold out in 2022. I have been looking for the Revlon Super Lustrous Glass Shine Lipstick in Rum Raisin for a while but no thanks to Tiktok, it’s not available online or offline in the Philippines.
The new “It Girls” aren’t Eurasian beauties. They’re regular people who just happen to be better looking than most of us. But they’re still very relatable.
And you know what? Many of the beauty tips they share work, even when the content is branded.
Another thing I love about Tiktok is that highend beauty brands like Charlotte Tilbury and Estee Lauder are no longer considered out of reach of the average beauty enthusiast. Yes, a Charlotte Tilbury lipstick, the most famous one being Pillow Talk, costs over P1,000 but Tiktokers presented them with more affordable dupes.
In the past, I remember asking during the live of two famous makeup artists about possible dupes to a Dior Beauty powder, and one of them snapped and replied with words that still embarrass me to this day. The other makeup artist, bless her, is very kind and would never act like that. Things like this don’t happen on Tiktok. Even the content creators who come from wealthy families reply politely when asked. Because these Tiktokers worked hard to get to where they are, they value their followers and treat them with respect. I’m not saying that every Tiktok content creator treats their followers with respect but most of those I follow certainly do.
Beauty Tiktok is responsible for making many brands and products famous. Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey is not new but Filipino creator Marj Maroket helped revive people’s interest it. It got to a point where Black Honey was sold out worldwide.
Issy and Co. is a Filipino beauty brand that used to have a celebrity endorser but it only really took off when Tiktokers fell in love with the Active Skin Tint.
There are so many Filipino beauty brands that became famous on Tiktok and that’s good, right? During the pandemic, these brands grew because people were stuck at home.
Rosmar is not just the nickname of a person. It is also a very popular brand of soaps and skin-care products on Tiktok. The brand’s owner, Rosmar Tan, is very popular on the platform. Rosmar’s Kagayaku Whitening Soap is one of the most popular beauty products on Tiktok.
Paulash is also a popular beauty brand on the platform. It is known for its false eyelashes. Most beauty creators worth knowing swear by this brand.
Anyway, here are some things I learned from my favorite Tiktok content creators:
▪ There are different blush placements for what you want to achieve. For example, if you are looking for a natural blush, you can start on the middle of your cheek and go downward because that’s how you blush when you work-out.
▪ When you use cream products, always set them with a powder equivalent. Cream or liquid blush should be set with a powder blush.
▪ Morena girls like me can make pale lipsticks work by lining their lips with a dark lip liner and topping that with a gloss. By the way, I attribute the revival of lip gloss’ popularity to Tiktok.
▪ Lip oils are more moisturizing than regular lip balms. I learned that applying lip oil before you do your makeup will help your lipstick glide on smoothly.
▪ Misting your face with a finishing spray after every layer (for example, you apply foundation and then spray; follow with concealer and then spray again) will help your makeup look natural.
▪ The difference between setting and finishing sprays is that the former helps keep your makeup stay in place while the latter gives you a dewy and more natural-looking finish.
▪ A bronzer doesn’t just make your cheeks look sculpted or your nose smaller. It also gives your makeup more dimension, especially if it is matte.
▪ The Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter is not a foundation but an illuminating primer. If you have good skin, you can top this with a powder and you’re good to go.
▪ Prepping your skin properly (prepping meaning a proper skin-care routine) before makeup will help you avoid cakiness and help products to last longer on your face.