You probably come across the buzz about the 242-makeup rule on TikTok, and with over 10 million views and climbing, it is certainly making waves. If you are not yet in the know, don’t worry; we are here to shed some light on it, and it could potentially revolutionize your makeup routine. It is not clear who coined the 242 trends, but beauty enthusiasts like Olivia Allen, Mollie McMullon, and Maha are convinced their makeup has never looked better or more flawless.
The idea is refreshingly simple: streamline your makeup routine by using just two products for your eyes, four for your base, and two for your lips. While it does not reinvent the makeup game, this systematic approach makes the process more manageable and efficient.
As we said 242 makeup rule is not exactly groundbreaking, and chances are this method probably has been around for years in the beauty industry or your mom’s makeup routine. But it is the perfect formula for achieving glowy, natural makeup in 10 minutes or less. ‘Formula‘ is the keyword here. While the exact products you opt for are down to personal preference, the 242 makeup rule usually follows the same recipe: a lightweight foundation or skin tint, concealer, bronzer, and blush for your base. A neutral eyeshadow, mascara on the eyes, and lip liner/ lip gloss on the lips.
If this has piqued your interest, let us dive into the specific makeup products that fit snugly within the 242-makeup rule.
How To Achieve TikTok’s 242 Makeup Rule
As usual, let us start with the base. While this process can vary a little for everyone, you will need the basics, such as foundation, concealer, blush, and highlighter. By now, you might already have a Holy Grail foundation, but if you are in the market for a 5-star option, the Armani Luminous Silk or the Estée Lauder Double Wear foundations are cult favorites for good reason. How you apply it is entirely up to you but at a recent makeup masterclass, we spotted Kendall Jenner’s makeup artist, Mary Phillips, apply a few pumps of foundation to the inside of her arm and blend it with a brush so that the product melted into every bristle. Then she applied it to the face. We suspect this lends a more believable, seamless finish than pumping the product directly onto your face (the downside is using too much, which can then appear cakey if your blending is not up to scratch).
Now blend away any darkness from your eyes and blemishes with a few dabs of a high-coverage concealer. Once this is complete, it is time to add color back into your face with a blush and highlighter. Consider saving time and money with this dual-ended product Wander Beauty On-the-Glow Blush & Illuminator.
This simplified routine doesn’t require any eyeshadow but you could use bronzer for the eyes. Instead, your priorities should lie with high-quality mascara and eyeliner. For a softer, everyday approach to makeup, opt for MAKEUP BY MARIO Master Pigment Pro™ Eyeliner Pencil in black or brown and some mascara. At last, it’s time to finish the 242 makeup rule with your lips! Our infallible combination is always a soft lip liner topped with a high-shine lip gloss to seal the deal.
The 242 rule is wholly uncomplicated, but our makeup instantly looked better. We can’t put a finger on it; perhaps it’s the bronzer layered over the blush (the ultimate glow-enhancing combination). The thing about the 242 makeup rule, is that it doesn’t leave much room for creativity. Sure, you could swap the neutral eyeshadow for something filled to bursting with glitter or opt for a bold lip rather than sheer and glossy. All in all, though, it’s pretty formulaic.
That said, this rule is perfect for makeup beginners and those with a penchant for natural or no-makeup makeup. Rules often are made to be broken, but this one is racking up clicks, views, and likes for a good reason: It works.
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