Beauty Tips We Wish We’d Known in Our 20s

Your 20s are all about discovery - career experiments, big nights out, budget skincare routines, and more than a few questionable beauty choices (blue eyeshadow, anyone?).

But looking back, there are a handful of beauty lessons we really wish someone had whispered to us back then. If you’re still in your 20s, consider this your cheat sheet. If you’ve already passed that milestone - well, you’ll know exactly what we mean.

1. Sunscreen is everything

Forget fancy creams and miracle serums, SPF is the single most important product you’ll ever own. Daily sunscreen (yes, even when it’s cloudy) saves you from premature wrinkles, pigmentation, and long-term damage. Future you will thank you.

2. Less is more with foundation

We’ve all had that heavy, cakey base moment in our 20s. The truth? Your skin looks its best when it looks like skin. A light, breathable foundation, or even just concealer where you need it, always looks fresher and more modern than layers of full coverage.

3. Start investing in skincare, not just makeup

In our 20s, it’s tempting to splash out on the latest lipstick while using whatever cleanser is on offer. But good skin is the best canvas. A gentle cleanser, hydrating serum, and moisturiser tailored to your skin type will pay off far more than 15 eyeshadow palettes.

4. Your brows shape your whole face

Overplucking in the early 2000s was a collective mistake. Brows frame your face, balance your features, and instantly make you look polished. Take care of them, keep them natural, and when in doubt, step away from the tweezers.

5. Sleep is the ultimate beauty hack

No concealer in the world can beat eight hours of sleep. Your skin repairs itself while you rest, and a good night’s sleep shows up instantly in your glow. Skincare routine or not, prioritising rest is the cheapest beauty secret out there.

6. Hair health > heat styling

Those daily straightener sessions in your 20s? Probably why your 30s hairdresser is telling you about split ends. Learn to love your natural texture, invest in heat protectant, and remember: shiny, healthy hair will always look more stylish than over-styled, damaged strands.

7. Drink water (no, really)

It sounds boring, but hydration is the foundation of everything - plump skin, bright eyes, healthy nails. All the serums in the world won’t help if you’re running on lattes and late nights.

8. Confidence is the best beauty product

It takes many of us years to realise: beauty isn’t about chasing perfection. The lipstick you love, the haircut that makes you feel strong, the skincare ritual that makes you glow, all of it is about confidence. And nothing is more attractive than a woman who owns her look.

Your 20s are meant to be fun, experimental, and a little messy, so don’t beat yourself up about beauty mistakes (we’ve all made them). But if we could go back, we’d tell ourselves this: protect your skin, nourish your hair, sleep more, and don’t forget to enjoy the ride. Beauty really does get better with time.