Just as parents shouldn’t have favorites, neither should beauty editors, but in many of the categories we cover in our jobs—from skincare to haircare—we all have our own specific preferences.
Mine is makeup. Minimalist or maximalist, I like to think I know a thing or two about trends and application techniques, but if TikTok has taught me anything, it’s that there’s still a lot to learn. Case in point: the viral 242 makeup rule.
Scrolling through countless videos (with a combined 21.3 million views and counting), it’s hard to tell exactly who created the 242 trend, but beauty fans like Olivia Allen, Mollie McMullon, and Maha are adamant that her look
has never been better. He looks better, and more perfect.
Contrary to the hype, the 242 makeup rule doesn’t reinvent the wheel. In fact, it’s probably the simplest trend I’ve ever found on the app: two products for eyes, four as a base, and two for lips.
I know what you’re thinking: This isn’t groundbreaking. And you’re right. Yet, according to TikTok makeup artists and beauty fanatics, it’s the perfect formula for a radiant, natural look in 10 minutes or less.
‘Formula’ being the key word here. I welcome a quick, easy and effective application that I know will leave me feeling radiant and, more importantly, more alert when I go to bed when my alarm goes off.
While the exact products you choose come down to personal preference, the 242 Makeup Rule generally follows the same formula: a light foundation or skin tone, concealer, bronzer, blush for base; a neutral eyeshadow and
mascara on the eyes; and a lip liner and lip gloss on the lips.
All long-lasting makeup starts with a moisturiser or sunscreen, so I use The Outset Nourishing Squalane Daily Moisturiser (£36) and Garnier Ambre Solaire Super UV Face Fluid SPF50+ (£12).
I’ve only dabbled with lighter skin tones this summer, but the recently launched MAC Studio Radiance Serum-Powered Foundation (£39) is brilliant (even better than the new Glossier Stretch Fluid Foundation (£34), in my opinion).
It’s so light I forget I’m even wearing it, but it provides enough coverage and a radiant finish – everything I want and need in a foundation.
How you apply it is up to you, but at a recent makeup masterclass I saw Kendall Jenner’s makeup artist Mary Phillips apply a few pumps of foundation to the inside of her arm and blend it out with a brush, letting the product melt into each bristle as it moves downwards.
She then applied it to her face. I suspect this gives a more believable, seamless effect than pumping product directly onto your face (the downside is that if you don’t blend, applying too much can look cakey, but it’s not satisfying).
Next up is concealer. I used Kosa’s Revealer Super Creamy + Brightening Concealer (£26) on areas where I wanted more coverage: acne and redness on the acne-induced skin mentioned above, and the inner corners of my eyes.
It’s common for some TikTok users to wear blush and a bit of highlighter on the cheeks, chin, nose and forehead, but my skin isn’t tan yet, so I put it on my cheeks, chin, nose and forehead. Arriving at Jones Road
The bronzer, £32, plus the Charlotte Tilbury Peachgasm Beauty Stick, £30, are great value. That was my limit of four products. For my eyes, I used the Vieves Ninetease Eyeshadow Palette (£49) in the colour Phase, but you could also use the bronzer if you prefer. I don’t think an eyelash curler counts towards the two-product limit, so after a quick lash press, I reached for the Max Factor Masterpiece 2 In 1 Lash WOW Volume & Length Mascara 001 Black, £12.99.
Ask any makeup artist and they’ll tell you that one of the hottest lip combos right now is MAC’s Soar Lip Pencil, £20, with a clear lip gloss in the middle. To finish, I drew a line across my lips, applied the product to the centre of my lips with a brush, and then topped it off with Rodeptide Lip Treatment Strawberry Glaze (£16). The 242 rule is simple, but my look instantly looked better. I can’t tell exactly; maybe it was the bronzer on my blush (the ultimate combo for a glowy complexion), or maybe my signature winged eyeliner was a little boring (maybe it even made my eyes look a little smaller).
The problem with the makeup rule 242, however, is that it doesn’t leave much room for creativity. Sure, you can swap a neutral eyeshadow for a shimmery one, or go for a bold lipstick instead of a sheer, shimmery one.
But overall, it’s pretty formulaic. This rule, however, is great for makeup beginners and those who prefer a natural or no-makeup look. Rules are made to be broken, but this one combines clicks, views and likes
For good reason: it works.
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.
