2016 was a good year for beauty. From new trends to gorgeous makeup looks – we saw it all! However, what were some of the most Googled beauty questions in 2016? Google released the data and we’re here to answer the most popular queries for you!
1. How to do a fishtail braid?
Step 1: Divide your hair into two sections, instead of three like in a regular braid.
Step 2: Take a small piece of hair from the outer part of one section and cross if over to the other section.
Step 3: Then, in the same way, take a piece of hair from the outer part of that section and braid it in the opposite direction too.
Step 4: Continue doing this till you reach the end and finish with a hair elastic.
Step 5: Gently pull each section of the braid for a slightly messier look and finish your fishtail braid.
Watch the full tutorial here.
2. How to make hair grow faster?
There are no shortcuts for long hair. You must eat a balanced diet that’s rich in all the nutrients to promote natural hair growth. Get regular hair trims (once in about three months) and massage your scalp with castor oil once a week.
3. How to shape eyebrows?
There’s no hard and fast rule to shaping eyebrows. We suggest you first figure out whether you like full eyebrows à la Cara Delevingne or thin arches. Go for whatever suits your face. If you are getting your eyebrows threaded, make sure you tell the parlour lady beforehand whether you want them shaped or just cleaned.
4. How to curl hair?
There are many ways to curl your hair. You can use a curling iron or rollers – these are two very common ways of curling hair. If you don’t have a curling iron, you can even use a flat iron to curl your hair! To get waves in a jiffy, try braiding your hair and slowly sliding a flat iron down the braids. And if you don’t want to use heat, braid wet hair and sleep in it overnight to wake up with beachy waves in the morning.
5. How to remove gel nails?
Gel manicures are very popular, but they can seriously dry your cuticles out, and the removal of gel nails can again harm your hands. To remove gel nails, you’ll need to visit a salon where your nails will be wrapped in acetone-soaked foil for ten minutes. Read our guide to gel manicures before getting one, and no matter what you do, don’t peel your gel paint off at home!
6. How to clean makeup brushes?
Invest in a cleaning mat and a proper makeup brush cleaning solution. Wash your brushes at least once a week to get rid of residual makeup…not doing so can lead to bacterial infections and breakouts! The easiest and cheapest way to clean your brushes is to dip them in a bowl of warm water and soap/shampoo.
7. How to apply concealer?
Your concealer should be applied after your foundation. Never smear the concealer around or rub it in with your fingers. Instead, always dab with your fingertips or a makeup blender, or blend it in with a concealer brush. On acne marks, make a small cross with your concealer right on top of the mark and gently pat it in. Read our guide on concealers to find the perfect one!
8. How to get rid of bags under your eyes?
Bags under your eyes can make you look tired all the time, right? What you need is to get proper sleep, a good diet and an excellent under eye cream. Make sure you moisturize the under eye area properly and combat morning puffiness with ice cubes or a frozen spoon by keeping them under your eye for a couple of minutes.
9. How to fill in eyebrows?
Your eyebrows can change the way you look, right? Invest in a good eyebrow pencil. Your eyebrows should ideally start in line with your nose and end at 45-degree angle from the outside end of the eye. Brush up all your hair with a spoolie brush and use the eyebrow pencil in short, light strokes to mimic your natural hair.
10. What is balayage?
Balayage is a hair colouring technique where the colour is applied in such a way that it creates a natural-looking effect rather than stark lines. Instead of using foils (like with regular streaks), hair colourists use a brush to apply colour in the balayage technique.