Although all millennials come under the same generational umbrella, older and younger millennials can be as different as chalk and cheese. From their fashion sense, to their monthly expenditure, older and younger millennials lifestyles can differ greatly. However, there are some beauty habits older millennials should steal from younger millennials, because those whippersnappers certainly know what’s hot.
If you’re a millennial who’s reached an age where you have no idea what the lyrics are to the songs on the radio, let alone who sings them, it might be time to look to the young ‘uns for a bit of beauty inspo, seeing as they probably know every word to every song that’s in the charts right now. You’re starting to forget which day your rent comes out and when your sister’s birthday is, so you definitely don’t have any brain space left for the words to the latest pop songs. But, it’s high time you make room in that brain box for some new beauty habits, because your old beauty habits may be dying hard.
It’s time to throw out your old makeup, dust off any inhibitions, and proceed with an open mind. Older millennials take note: These are the beauty habits you should be stealing from younger millennials.
1. Get Your Eyebrows On Fleek
During the '90s, everyone plucked their eyebrows into submission, so that we all looked like we'd literally drawn them on with our funky mechanical pencils. The era of the bold brow is here, so embrace it while you also give your eyebrows a break from the years of trauma they endured.
2. Don't Be Afraid To Experiment With Makeup
You may have thought your teenage years was the only time you had allocated to experimenting with your look, but you'd be wrong. Younger millennials are always trying out new things and changing up their appearance, so if you fancy a change, just go for it! Don't be so stuck in your ways that you're left rocking a look you've been wearing for the past five years – mix it up a bit and have fun with makeup again.
3. Discard All The Beauty "Rules" You Grew Up With
The phrase, "Pick either a bold eye or a bold lip" means nothing to younger millennials and it shouldn't mean anything to older millennials either. Although it may be difficult to rewire the ridiculous beauty "rules" that are likely hardwired into your brain if you're an older millennial, it's definitely worth it, because at the end of the day, you should wear whatever the heck you want to wear!
4. Embrace Kooky Hair Trends
Okay, so glitter roots might be a step too far for you, but aren't you curious about how you'd look with rainbow hair? If you're an older millennial you probably grew up during the time when all you could afford to change the color of your hair was Kool-Aid. Chances are, you've got a substantially larger income then you did when you were fourteen, plus there are so many quick and easy, non-permanent ways to change your hairstyle nowadays.
5. Try An Unnatural Lip Color
Brown lipliner was as crazy as it got for you back in the '90s, unless you were a goth growing up, then you might have worn your fair share of black lipstick. Nowadays the hip young things are wearing all the colors of the rainbow on their pouts, from blue, to purple, to yellow. Don't be afraid – pick your favorite color and slick it onto your lips and you'll be a trendsetter before you know it.
6. Test Out New Looks On Social Media
If you're too afraid to go meet your friends or family with an experimental new look, take some snaps of yourself and plaster them on social media to see what folks on the webisphere think first. Of course, there's probably a lot more license for artistic freedom on social media sites like Instagram, compared to making a trip to your local supermarket wearing some wacky styles, but it's a good way to test the waters before diving in.
7. Utilize Beauty Blenders
Beautyblender Original Makeup Sponge, $20, amazon.com
Sure, they're trendy and you're tired of seeing girls who look young enough to be your daughter patting them on their cherubim faces during YouTube tutorials and making millions of dollars doing so, but beauty blenders are pretty neat. If you haven't invested in one yet, you might want to contemplate adding one to your makeup bag, because they make applying base makeup a breeze.
8. Wear False Eyelashes
To be fair, I've seen a few younger millennials rocking falsies literally every day and while I certainly don't advocate wearing false eyelashes on the daily – who has time for that?! – I think they make a fantastic accessory for special occasions. False eyelashes really make your eyes pop and add a hint of glamor to your look – you can really tell the difference in the photos of the event.
9. Nail Winged Eyeliner
Younger millennials seem to never leave the house without perfect winged eyeliner and it's easy to see why; winged eyeliner is a classic and has a certain vintage-esque vibe about it. There's no time like the present to nail winged eyeliner once and for all!
10. Do What You Want With Your Body Hair
If you love your body hair, grow it out and put glitter in it; if you hate it, get regular waxes. Just make sure your decision rests on your preference, not society's. The only person who should be policing your body hair is you.
11. Make The Most Of Beauty Tutorials
As much as you may feel totally envious of the young women on your screen, making money out of showing people their favorite hair and makeup styles, look past it and leave your jealousy out of cyberspace. If you don't, you're missing out on so many awesome hacks, tips, and tricks that could help improve your beauty skills and make your life easier. The internet was made for sharing after all!
You might not be a fan of Snapchat or know the names of all the Kardashians, but that shouldn't stop you from stealing some awesome beauty habits from younger millennials. Just make sure you document your beauty adventures in your next Instagram Story for all your followers!
Images: Brooke Cagle (1), Gonzalo Arnaiz (1), Alia Wilhelm (1), Alexandru Zdrobău (1), Creative Photo Corner (1) /Unsplash; Courtesy Brand (1)
