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.
