When we think about ways to make ourselves look like more refreshed and more awake versions of ourselves, a list of makeup items and skincare products — and maybe even procedures — may come to mind. For some, that could mean well-placed blush that highlights the cheekbones or a great lip color that makes us feel alive. The more skilled home makeup artists may get their contouring skills on, and skincare enthusiasts will praise micro current treatments or even Botox and collagen-building lasers.
But we sometimes forget that changing our hairstyle is the fastest, cheapest, and one of the most effective ways to give yourself an instant facelift — minus the surgery.
As long-time hairstyling expert and guru Justin Hickox explains on his popular YouTube channel, there are a few hairstyling hacks that are worth keeping in your back pocket if your goal is to give your face a lift.
Here is the one stand-out tip that will take you minutes to put into action in the morning, and requires little to no hairstyling know-how.
Style Your Hair Off Of Your Face
It’s not uncommon to become so used to styling your hair toward your face in an effort to create more softness that you neglect to see how you’re covering up features that can give you a more uplifted look overall. As Hickox explains, pulling your hair off of your face can accentuate your cheekbone structure and really open up your face, which gives you a nice little, surgery-free lift. This can be accomplished in a number of ways — think: ballerina bun, classic ponytail, or even a slicked-back ‘do that leaves your hair free in the back if you prefer not to style with elastic bands.
A tight ponytail, in particular, is a stand-out hairstyle for accomplishing a lift, Hickox says, simply because it physically pulls your skin back and makes it look smoother, giving the illusion of a facelift.
But Hickox understands that this look isn’t for everyone, namely because tight, pulled-back hair may not feel great or you may not be used to something so dramatic and don’t feel it looks right on you. But don’t worry: there are ways to keep your hair up and back, while still softening it a bit if you prefer a look that isn’t extreme.
Wear A Looser Ponytail
Tapering the sides of your hair around your ears and teasing the top just enough to provide some more volume at your crown can do a few things for you. It can both soften your face (a pro if tight styles don’t feel great for you) and also create the illusion of more with around your temples and cheekbone area, which can look more youthful.
Follow Julianne Hough’s example here by teasing your hair at the roots just a bit and smoothening it back, leaving longer pieces out in the front before wrapping your hair into a high ponytail. Spray your hair with a light hairspray to set it.
Create Volume Around The Temples
Whether ponytails and buns are your thing, or you aren’t excited about having to revisit these styles again, the one constant that Hickox mentions as an effective way to instantly lift the face is to create volume around the temples. This can be achieved with shorter curtain bangs or strategically placed longer layers, or with a bit of teasing at the roots.
Volume in this area lifts the eye up (think winged eyeliner in hairstyle form) and draws attention to cheekbones.
Alleviating volume from the sides of your face and instead asking your stylist to create right angles with these shorter pieces directs attention to the upper face and can make you look more youthful. This is why it’s important to choose stylists who understand your overall goal with your hair and aren’t just focused on your haircut. Every snip should be thoughtful and serve as a mini spotlight on the facial features you want to highlight.
While you’re considering which makeup products and skincare to add to your routine, don’t forget that something as simple as changing your hairstyle, pulling back your hair, and adding volume at the temples can work magic, maybe even better than a contour and highlighting kit.
