We’re hardly surprised by the most Googled beauty questions of 2016. Despite the gargantuan amount of tutorials and how-tos available, it can take an immeasurable amount of time to find that one you can acutally understand and replicate.
We get it: the struggle is real, but we hardly feel defeated. In an effort to jumpstart our 2017 beauty routine, we’ve scoured YouTube for what we think are the best answers to each question. Keep scrolling and take notes:
How to do a fishtail braid?
There are countless ways to braid one’s hair, but fishtailing is the most coveted method. Most of us assume the intricate look is difficult to replicate on textured hair, but in our opinion, that’s when it looks most beautiful. This oldie, but goodie tutorial is the best we’ve seen on how to pull off the effortless style.
How to make hair grow faster?
Ah, the age old question we’re constantly seeking answers for. Honestly, we’re surprised this wasn’t number one on the list. The truth is, there’s no magic potion or concoction that will grow your hair over night. It takes discipline and healthy habits. And anyone who follows TheChicNatural on YouTube knows this to be true. Her growth tips are DIY and foolproof.
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How to shape eyebrows?
The eyebrows are the windows to the eyes and with that, comes great responsibility. How they are shaped and filled in has an undeniable impact on your entire makeup look. In short: if they’re not on point, nothing else is. Before you can get to the “how” of this question, it’s imperative to know “what” shape works best for you. This Sephora how-to does a pretty amazing job of helping you get there.
How to fill in eyebrows?
And once you’ve decided on a shape, it’s time to fill them in. We’re obsessed with Ellarie’s YouTube page and this brow how-to is one of the easiest we’ve seen.
How to curl hair?
There are a couple of things to consider before seeking out an answer to this one. First, is your hair straight or curly? Also, do you simply want to curl with a wand or iron. Or are you more concerned with manipulating a curl pattern? Right now, we’re kind of obsessed with this natural hair-friendly curl guide using one of our favorite brands. The transformation is amazing!
How to remove gel nails?
Anyone who swears by a weekly manicure understands the struggle of nasty nail beds after gel polish has been removed. Vlogger DulceCandy is one of our favorite DIY queens and of course, her removal method is super easy to follow.
How to clean makeup brushes?
This is one of the most overlooked beauty routines, but it’s the most important. Dirty makeup brushes lead to breakouts and unhealthy skin, so keeping them in check is a must. Spankie’s Valentine DIY (and crazy cheap) tutorial also shows you how to get rid of the dirt in your BeautyBlenders.
How to apply concealer?
Concealer application can be tricky and for most women with brown skin, it requires a bit of color correcting as well. Destiny Lashae’s foundation tutorial includes a couple of tips for avoiding that ashy effect while hiding acne scars and under eye circles.
How to get rid of bags under your eyes?
Like hair growth, there is no magic pill for this. In addition to a slew of DIY methods (tea bags, eye gels, more sleep), the obvious solution is makeup! Besides her British accent, we’re also in love with Chantel Ambrose’s easy makeup guide.
What is balayage?
2016 was definitely the year balayage took over Hollywood. In the simplest terms, its a technique that leaves a gradient-like color effect on the strands. Unlike its distant cousin ombre, this look requires zero foils during the application process. See how it looks on natural hair below.