beauty

The easiest way to highlight and contour, and the other 13 most useful tutorials on YouTube.

When you’re ever in doubt, YouTube it. Music and memes aside, the platform has millions of how-to videos that can teach you just about anything. If you’re ever stuck for a solution, or want to sharpen your skillz in makeup, cooking, or DIY, turn to the wonderful world of viral videos.

Because sometimes, a girl just needs a good hack.

We’ve rounded up 14 of the most useful tutorials, so all you have to do is press play.

Oh, and we’re not including the glorious vids on our own Showpo channel (it’d be unfair, really), but you can binge here.

How to nail your winged eyeliner.

Image: Youtube.
ADVERTISEMENT

Makeup is meant to be fun and playful – but winged liner is no picnic. In other words, it’s definitely not the kind of look you can whip up when you have 10 minutes to get ready. If you’re new to the eyeliner game, or end up with a squiggly line every damn time, turn to bubbly beauty blogger Stephanie Lange. In this video, she demonstrates 10 different ways to slay your winged eyeliner, like using tape, joining the dots and showing a flat liner pen who’s boss. And she’s Aussie!

You can watch the video here. 

How to highlight and contour.

TEACH ME YOUR WAYS. Image: YouTube.
ADVERTISEMENT

As Queen Rihanna said in her brilliant Vogue vid, “sometimes you want to be understated, and sometimes you just want to go ape.” That’s where highlighting and contouring comes in. To master these techniques – without looking like Kimmy K’s makeup artist took the day off – Jaclyn Hill is your girl.

The beauty blogger’s collab with Becca sold out in minutes, so it’s safe to say she knows her shit. And she’s so extra; it’s amazing.

You can watch the video here.

How to figure out your undertone.

From red lipstick to jewellery and clothes, the colours that suit you best all depend on your skin’s undertone. Is it warm, cool or neutral? If you have NFI, watch this vid by Birchbox.

It’s quick, and goes through a number of simple tests you can to do work out your undertone. For example, the veins on the inside of your wrist are a dead giveaway: if they’re green, you’re warm and if they’re blue, you’re cool. At the end, it tells you what kind of makeup shades you should lean towards.

You can watch the video here. 

How to perfect your skincare routine.

woman with freckles
Say goodbye to skincare routine confusion. Image: Getty.
ADVERTISEMENT

Fact: You’ll look healthier – and your makeup will sit MUCH better – if you take care of your skin. That once-monthly sheet mask isn’t going to cut it forever (sigh). To get that lit-from-within skin we all know and love, go to YouTube!

If you have oily skin, check out vlogger Nicole Guerriero’s routine. If your skin is on the dry and sensitive side, KathleenLights has you covered (and even if you don’t, she dishes up some great tips for combating winter skin).

And for acne-prone skin, YouTube sensation Michelle Phan walks you through the gentle, natural products that got hers back on track.

You can watch the video here. 

How to curl your hair with a straightener.

No curler? No problem! Your trusty GHD or Cloud Nine can do the job just as well. To create beautiful, beachy waves, watch Brazilian beauty Camila Coehlo’s tutorial. She walks you through the ‘do, curl by curl, so all you have to do is copy her. We sense a new signature style…

ADVERTISEMENT

You can watch the video here. 

How to edit your Instagram photos using Lightroom and VSCO…

Everyone’s doing it – whether they admit it or not. To make your feed even more fabulous, check out Allison Schaper’s stuff. The college student-turned-YouTube star put together a guide to using editing apps like Lightroom and VSCO to create whimsical, prettied-up pics.

You can watch the video here. 

How to get rid of a red wine stain.

Red wine
You don't have to give up red wine around carpet anymore. Image: Getty.
ADVERTISEMENT

Oops, you did it again. As it turns out, red wine is surprisingly easy to get out of shirts, tablecloths and other washable fabrics, so don’t panic. I tried Real Simple’s tip just last night and it worked like a treat!

You can watch the video here. 

How to make the most of your iPhone.

Let’s be real. We’re on our phones all day long, but chances are, you probably don’t know half of what that little gadget can do. Neither did we, until we watched this tutorial from the clever guys at Business Insider.

There are tons of cool hacks in there, including how to solve that “ducking” problem, how to set different vibrations (not ringtones) for different people, and how to share your WiFi password without, you know, spelling it out.

You can watch the video here. 

How to create a WordPress site.

Maybe you’re starting your own biz, or maybe your boss has asked you to update the company website. WordPress is one of the most efficient Content Management Systems (CMS), but it can take a while to wrap your head around its features.

That’s when you phone a friend: Tyler Moore. His YouTube channel offers step-by-step guides to developing a website, and he doesn’t skip a thing.

You can watch the video here. 

How to roast a chicken.

You’ll be a mini Martha Stewart in no time thanks to this easy-to-follow video from Everyday Eats. The friendly chef teaches you how to roast a chicken to perfection, till it’s crispy and salty on the outside, and deliciously juicy on the inside. Invite your harshest critic (Nan) over for dinner – she’ll be impressed.

ADVERTISEMENT

You can watch the video here. 

How to fold a fitted sheet.

How do I fold these? Image: Getty.

Why is it that Mum can do it in a cinch but it’s proved impossible for you?!! The age-old mystery is now over, thanks to the legends at eHow. With perfectly square corners and clean fold lines, there’s something so smugly satisfying about nailing this technique.

ADVERTISEMENT

You can watch the video here. 

How to sew a button.

You’re about to go out with the girls, and then boom: you pop a button. After all the time and effort you spent choosing your Showpo outfit and pairing it with the right shoes and accessories, there’s no way you’re changing. Fire up your laptop, and let YouTube come to the rescue. Whether you’re a complete amateur or not, this helpful tutorial from Treasurie shows you how to thread that needle like a pro.

You can watch the video here. 

How to draw.

Failing art class? You just need a little nudge. In the YouTube world, Mark Crilley is famous for his drawing videos on every topic imaginable. They’re simple, and you don’t have to be an artist by any means to follow along. One of his most popular tutorials is a guide to drawing a realistic eye, and it’s easier than you think!

You can watch the video here. 

How to kick ass with self-defence.

We’re all far too familiar with that creepy feeling that someone’s watching you, or walking a little too close to you on the street. Self-defence is something you hope you’ll never need to call on, but just in case, this Fight Tips tutorial goes through the five moves you can use to protect yourself and fight back.

You can watch the video here. 

This article was originally published on Showpo and has been republished with full permission.