Last updated on: January 14, 2026
If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably saved way too many Pinterest makeup hacks. You know the ones — the “do this in 10 seconds,” the “make your eyes pop instantly,” or those “I swear this changes everything” tricks. Pinterest can make you believe you’re one tiny trick away from glowing skin and a perfect wing.
So I decided to actually test them. Not just scroll, save, and forget. I picked a handful of the most popular Pinterest makeup hacks and tried them on my real face, in real lighting, in my real everyday routine. And girl… some of these surprised me in the best way, and some made me laugh out loud at how badly they failed.
Here’s what really happened — and which hacks you might actually want to try on your own.
Why Pinterest Hacks Pull Us In
Pinterest has a special magic. It makes everything look dreamy, simple, and doable — especially for women who want to look good without spending hours in front of the mirror. Whether you’re a mom, a student, a working woman, or someone just trying to feel a little more put-together, makeup hacks feel like hope. They promise better skin, better brows, better everything… with barely any effort.
But as we both know, not everything on Pinterest is real life. That’s why this experiment felt fun. I wanted to figure out which shortcuts actually help you feel confident and which ones just waste your time.
THE HACKS I TRIED (AND MY HONEST TRUTH ABOUT THEM)
1. The Spoon Trick for Winged Eyeliner
Pinterest tells you to use the straight edge of a spoon for a sharp line, then the curve for the upper wing. Easy, right?
What happened:
The first few seconds were great — I lined up the spoon like the pictures showed. But the moment I tried to angle it toward my eye, I ran out of hands. My wing ended up uneven, and honestly, it took longer than just free-handing it.
Did it work?
Not really. It might help if you really struggle, but it’s awkward to hold.
Verdict: MISS
2. Mixing Foundation With Moisturizer for a Dewy Glow
This one pops up everywhere. Pinterest promises a natural, skin-like finish that looks soft and healthy.
What happened:
This one surprised me. I mixed a little moisturizer with medium-coverage foundation and applied it with my fingers. The finish looked fresh, light, and glowy — the kind of look you get after drinking lots of water and being well-rested (even if you’re not).
It didn’t last all day, especially on my T-zone, but it looked beautiful for a good few hours.
Did it work?
Yes — especially if your skin feels dry or tired.
Verdict: HIT
3. Red Lipstick Under the Eyes to Cover Dark Circles
The idea: red cancels blue or purple tones under your eyes.
What happened:
I dabbed a tiny amount of red lipstick under my eyes, blended it, then applied concealer. And wow — it did brighten the area. But here’s the thing: if you use even a little too much, your under-eyes turn pink and weird-looking.
Also, if you have dryness or texture, the lipstick can cling to it.
Did it work?
Yes, but only with a light hand. And only if your under-eyes aren’t very dry.
Verdict: MAYBE
4. Setting Makeup With Baby Powder
This hack promises smooth skin and oil control. But I was nervous because baby powder + flash = ghost face.
What happened:
I tapped a small amount onto my skin with a fluffy brush. At first, it made everything look very soft and matte. But within an hour, I looked dry. The powder settled around my nose and made my skin look older.
Plus, baby powder isn’t meant for your face. And your skin deserves safer products.
Did it work?
Not for me, and I wouldn’t recommend it.
Verdict: BIG MISS
5. Lip Plumping With Cinnamon or Peppermint Oil
Pinterest says to mix a little cinnamon or peppermint oil into lip gloss for fuller lips.
What happened:
I mixed one drop of peppermint essential oil with clear gloss. My lips felt tingly right away, but not painfully so. And yes — they did look a little fuller. Not Kylie Jenner level, but definitely plumper.
Cinnamon burned more, though. I would not recommend that one if you have sensitive skin.
Did it work?
Yes — peppermint oil works and feels nice.
Verdict: HIT (Peppermint version), MISS (Cinnamon)
6. Mascara as Eyeliner
This hack is for days when you forget your eyeliner at home.
What happened:
I dipped a thin angled brush into my mascara wand and applied it like gel liner. It actually gave a nice soft line. The only issue was smudging — mascara isn’t made to stay in a sharp wing, so the outer edge got messy after a few hours.
Did it work?
Yes, in an emergency. No, for all-day wear.
Verdict: MAYBE
7. Contouring With a Fork
Yes, I tried this. Pinterest says you can place a fork on your face to create perfect cheekbone lines.
What happened:
I held the fork against my cheek and applied contour powder in the gaps just like the tutorials show. It looked ridiculous while I was doing it, but the lines were… okay. They were straight, but they also looked too sharp and unnatural.
Blending fixed it, but at that point, I could’ve just done it without a fork.
Did it work?
Technically yes, but totally unnecessary.
Verdict: MISS
What I Learned From Testing These Hacks
Trying all these hacks taught me something important about makeup and well-being: you don’t need perfect tricks to feel confident. Makeup is supposed to be fun, not stressful. Sometimes we look for shortcuts because we feel tired, busy, or overwhelmed — and that’s okay. But you deserve hacks that actually help you feel good, not ones that make things harder.
Some hacks made me smile. Some made me roll my eyes. And a few, surprisingly, really did make my routine easier.
Pinterest might promise magic, but your real beauty comes from how you take care of yourself — your skin, your mood, your peace.
So… Which Hacks Should You Actually Try?
Here’s my quick list to make your life easier:
Worth Trying (HITS):
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Mixing foundation with moisturizer
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Peppermint lip-plumping gloss
Try at Your Own Risk (MAYBE):
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Red lipstick under-eye correcting
-
Mascara as eyeliner
Skip These (MISSES):
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Spoon eyeliner
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Baby powder setting
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Cinnamon lip plumper
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Fork contour
