These Were the Best Instagram Beauty Hacks That 2016 Gifted Us

Say what you will about the debacles that this past year has brought us, but you have to admit that 2016 has given us some gems despite it all. From the Gilmore Girls revival (we’ve already re-watched it twice) to Chrissy Teigen’s Halloween fashion show with baby Luna, we can’t help but reminisce on the good times, even if they were few and far between. Of course, our beauty-obsessed brains agree. We reviewed the last year and realized that for every WTF beauty moment on Instagram, there was a “Whoa, that’s kind of genius!” moment too. Here are just a few of our favorite Instagram beauty hacks from 2016.

Hair

1. Faux Long Pony: A little trickery can help you score a fuller ponytail. Simply stack two separate ponies on top of each other for added length and volume. Boom.

2. Instant Root Volume: Fake fuller roots with some clever zig-zag combing skills to make everyone think you have magically voluminous roots. Who knew zigzagging could be so impactful?!

3. Faux Hairline: Achieve Kim Kardashian West-level hairline when you fill in your sparse spots with matte eyeshadow. This may seem like a lot, but for special occasions this move is clutch.

4. Lob Hack: Girls with layers can rock a faux bob (or lob) to test drive short hair before committing to a full-on chop. Hide longer strands in a low bun and roll it up in toward your scalp. Secure with bobby pins.

5. Hair Diffuser Hack: Lost your diffuser? Not a problem, thanks to Instagram. MacGyver one in seconds by poking a few holes into a styrofoam cup. Who knew?!?

Makeup

6. Eyeliner Hack: Use the edge of a spoon to master the smoothest transition between your eyeshadow and eyeliner that you ever did see. This trick is perfect if you want to play with color blocking.

7. Dried Makeup Hack: Talk about good ’til the last drop. Bring dried-out stick makeup back to life by warming it up with a flame.

8. Last Bit of Mascara Hack: All good things must come to an end, but we refuse to say goodbye to our tube of DiorShow before we have to. This trick will help you use the very last bit. Revive drying mascara with a few eye drops or drops of contact solution.

9. Powder Rehab Hack: Dropped your beloved powder blush? It’s the *WORST.* We’ve all been there. Put your powdered makeup back together with just a few drops of rubbing alcohol.

10. Smokey Eye Save: Secure sticky notes under your eyes before doing a heavy eye look to catch fallout and keep your under-eye concealer intact.

Tools

11. Derma Roller Double Duty: Get more use from your derma roller by rolling them over lips to plump them.

12. Makeup Brush Cleaning Hack: Why buy expensive products when you have the answer right at home? Use a hot water bottle as a washboard for your makeup brushes and you’ll cut down on cleaning time.

13. One Brush, Two Ways: Fake a fan brush with just a bobby pin — perfect for traveling! Minds. Blown.

14. Instant Silisponge: If you can’t get your hands on the always-sold-out Silisponge, give your silicone bra inserts a go instead. (No, seriously.)

15. Beauty Blender Fix: If your beauty blender is looking ragged, stained and cracked, don’t toss it out just yet. Give it a second life when you snip off the top layer to reveal a fresh new layer that works like new.

Looking for even more beauty hacks? Visit us on Pinterest!

(Featured photo via Huda Beauty)

If you follow along on B+C, you’ve seen and admired our canine model, Turkey Temple (one of my favorite pet names, TBH). He is definitely a turkey by trade but clearly not by species. It seems like an obvious choice, but this was Turkey’s first time dressing up as a turkey for Halloween. Spooky season might be over, but it's *always* a good idea to dress your dog up for Thanksgiving if they don't mind!!

Keep reading for the cutest and easiest DIY dog turkey costume!

I’ve been making a lot of pet costumes this year, but this one has been high on my list for a long time. With some felt and One-Wrap Velcro, we created this pet costume in no time at all. Does your pet have a goofy name? Try dressing them up as their name, and make sure you snap photos and share them with us on Instagram! Oh, and don't forget to check out our 46 Cute Dogs Guaranteed To Make You Smile, too!

How To Make A Dog Turkey Costume

Tools And Materials:

  • red, orange, yellow and white felt
  • cardboard
  • One-Wrap Velcro
  • pen
  • fabric scissors
  • hot glue gun

Instructions:

1. Draw large, long oval feathers on your yellow felt. Stack the yellow felt on top of the orange felt and cut them both out. Next, draw a curved rectangular shape on the white felt and cut it out.

2. Hot glue the white rectangular shapes to the feathers, then glue the feathers to one another to create a fan shape.

3. Glue a horizontal strip of cardboard to the back of the feathers to help them stand upright.

4. Hot glue a piece of felt to each edge of the feathers and attach a strip of One-Wrap Velcro that is long enough to wrap around your dog’s belly.

5. Cut out a gobble from red felt and attach some One-Wrap Velcro.

Draw 12 long feathers on your yellow felt. Stack the yellow felt on top of the orange felt and cut out your feathers. Cut 12 white curved rectangular pieces to accent the feathers.

Glue the white pieces to the feathers and then glue the feathers to one another into a fan shape.

Attach a long strip of cardboard to the back of the feathers to help them stand up straight once the dog turkey costume is assembled.

Hot glue a piece of felt to each edge of the feathers and attach a strip of One-Wrap Velcro that is long enough to wrap around your dog’s belly.

Draw a gobble onto a piece of red felt, cut it out and glue it to a small piece of One-Wrap Velcro.

Hey Turkey — here’s your turkey costume!

Attach the gobble to your dog by wrapping the One-Wrap Velcro around the collar.

Cutest turkey I ever did see!

Follow us on Pinterest for more cute DIYs like this dog turkey costume!

This post has been updated.

It’s finally time to swap out your heavy winter boots for something a bit lighter, brighter, and budget-friendly. Amazon has quite the stylish lineup of spring shoes, and I scoured their site for the cutest picks – all under $20! From chic sandals to ballet flats that make any spring outfit feel fresh, these 11 Amazon shoes are here to refresh your shoe game, all without forgoing your budget.

Scroll on for 11 comfy and cute Amazon spring shoes, all shoppable for $20 or less!

Amazon

Hash Bubbie Mesh Knit Ballet Flats

These mesh ballet flats will let you feet breathe throughout all the warm weather coming our way. The pointed toes add the perfect touch of chic!

Amazon

Soda Platform Crisscross Band Sandals

Platform sandals are a springtime icon! These babies will fit you oh-so comfortably, thanks to the thick, crossed band design.

Amazon

Call It Spring Kelena Heeled Sandals

Perfect for the office, these blocked heels make a statement with square toes and plenty of stylish straps.

Amazon

Feversole Woven Flat Shoes

We adore flat shoes around here. These will wear well with everything from jeans to skirts this spring!

Amazon

Sailing Lu Square Toe Ballet Flats

Leopard print is hot this season, so you'll be right on-trend once you slip into these cozy ballet flats!

Amazon

Dream Pairs Ankle Strap Espadrille Sandals

These classic strappy sandals would be stunning for a springtime vacation, but they're also comfy enough to rock when you're out and about running errands.

Amazon

Stunner Mary Jane Flats

Who knew affordable shoes could be so trendy?! These metallic babies boast a double buckle silhouette that's sure to earn you compliment after compliment.

Amazon

Ataiwee Flat Slide Sandals

The woven motif on these slip-on sandals is so spring-like. They're also shoppable in tons of different colors to suit your personal style to a tee.

Amazon

Soda Shoes Casual Slippers

Sometimes you just need an easy spring shoe. That's exactly where these sandals come in, with a slip-on shape and cozy wide band on top.

Amazon

Tatumaie Orthopedic Wedge Sandals

These boho-esque sandals are equipped with the cutest stitched and woven details, so they'd work really well with a flowy dress or even some denim shorts, depending on your outfit vibe for the season.

Amazon

Lancholy Yoga Mat Insole Sandals

These babies are all about comfort, being made with a soft yoga mat insole. The multiple straps will keep your feet nice and secure for any and every occasion!

Subscribe to our newsletter to shop more editor-loved shoes!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

We love Halloween here at Brit + Co, I mean really love it. And we also embrace the celebrations in all of their forms, from IRL blow-out bashes to WFH office parties. If you've got a virtual Halloween party to attend on Zoom with your remote team or friends across the country, here's how to get dolled up for the best costuming and celebrating from a Zoom-y distance. Keep reading for fun ways to dress up with wigs, makeup, and festive tops without having to worry about what you've got on the bottom — basically, the costume version of a mullet. Happy Halloween!

Brit + Co

Pirate

Ahoy, matey! Just grab a red scarf, eyepatch, striped shirt and a fishtail side braid for this classic and super easy costume.

Brit + Co

Flamingo

This makeup is on point. Here's how to DIY this feathery look.

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Unicorn

Fulfill your magical dreams with this DIY unicorn costume.

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Cleopatra

Stand out with a costume that's part-Ancient Egyptian, part-badass babe. With some eyeliner and well-chosen accessories, you'll be able to craft up a Queen-of-Egypt-inspired Halloween costume that's sure to blow your Zoom party guests away.

Brit + Co

Rosie the Riveter

White button down and red polka dot headscarf, easy peasy. For the hair, pin up half of your hair and twist it up into a bun. Then take the rest of your hair and create another bun a little lower on your head. Top the look off with the scarf, and you'll be riveting in no time. :)

Brit + Co

Princess Leia

Best buns on the planet! Create this iconic hairdo with this easy hair hack.

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Elsa

Does Frozen still melt your heart? Be everyone's favorite snow queen with this DIY costume.

Brit + Co

Holly Golightly

Top off your top knot with a tiara, then add a LBD, pearls, coffee and sunnies.

Brit + Co

Angry Bird

We've seen this costume before, but this look is too dang cute to pass up. Especially when all you need is a yellow wig and some craft supplies. Draw out the face onto felt and cut it out, then glue the head piece to a headband. Everything else can be taped to the wig.

Brit + Co

Creepy Clown

Whether you're going for a clown or a mime vibe, this kinda creepy, kinda cute look will achieve all of your Halloween dreams.

Brit + Co

Day of the Dead

Dress up as a Dia de los Muertos sugar skull with this easy DIY tutorial.

Brit + Co

Lady Gaga

It's been quite some time since Gaga donned her signature bow, but we'll never get enough of it. Head to our Hair Bow tutorial here for the full how-to.

Brit + Co

Pumpkin

Okay, this may be really, really basic, but it is a Halloween staple. Plus, it's the one time of year you can wear all orange, all the time. Grab an orange wigand go!

Brit + Co

Queen of Hearts

Ace this Queen of Hearts costume with ared wig or red spray dye!

Brit + Co

Frenchie From Grease

Here's an excuse to break out that cute pink wig in your closet. Add a Pink Ladies jacket and bubble gum and you're ready for beauty school!

Brit + Co

Strawberry Shortcake

You can go with the full Strawberry Shortcake costume or just order a pink wig and bonnet— then add freckles and a pink top and you're Zoom ready!

Brit + Co

Pop Art

If you are looking to really up your costume game and stand out on Zoom, go for this pop art makeup look. Pop on some comic leggings (totally WFH-friendly!) and yellow wig too.

Brit + Co

Vampire

Don a black lip and eye makeup, then use that same eye makeup or black face paint to create a faux widow's peak. Spooky!

Brit + Co

Jem

We are as obsessed with our '80s cartoon characters as we are with wig costumes. For bright pink tresses, Jem is an absolute must!

Brit + Co

Cruella de Vil

This fierce villain oozes style, even if she is totally evil. Use spray hair dye on half of your head, then top off the look with red gloves, a faux fur coat, cigarette holder and a little Dalmatian. Oh, and that evil cackle is essential.

Brit + Co

Kitty

Every girl's backup costume is also the perfect Zoom costume. We made our ears by attaching black foam ears to a headband, but you can easily find a readymade option at just about any store this time of year. Get the full Black Cat makeup tutorial right here.

Brit + Co

Witch

Don a black witch hat and follow this makeup tutorial for this spooky cool green witch.

Brit + Co

Black Swan

The hair hack here is that slick top knot and the crowning tiara, though the key to the whole scene is obviously those crazy eyes. Here's a great tutorial right herefor gals who want to go all out.

Brit + Co

Minion

Learn how to get the look of the cutest minion costume ever!

Brit + Co

Katy Perry circa 2014

Or go for any of Katy Perry's Dark Horse video costumes with these Brit + Co DIYs.

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Brit + Co

Mad Hatter

This Mad Hatter costume is pretty easy to replicate. Grab a brown jacket from your closet, orange wig and top hat. The thread holster is made by stringing thread spools onto yarn and draping it over the shoulder. The makeup is an understated version inspired by the original, but really easy to recreate. And yes, those are fake eyelashes as eyebrows!

Brit + Co

Mime

You can just stay on mute!

Brit + Co

Pippy Longstocking

Recreate Pippy's completely insane pig tails with this easy DIY trick.

Brit + Co

Barbie

Your co-workers will immediately get the idea once you show up with your pink visor, watercolor swimsuit and bike shorts outfit! They may even get a little jealous!

Brit + Co

Poison Ivy

"That girl is poison" best describes former botanist turned green seductress Poison Ivy. See how you can DIY this costume here!

Brit + Co

Gamora from Guardians of the Galaxy

Maybe you prefer to be a bada**, take no prisoners green goddess like Gamora from the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise. For fun, you can try your hand at method acting by acting like her during your virtual Halloween party. Just try to keep the sarcasm on the lighter side.

Brit + Co

Minions

To make things more fun, you and a few co-workers can dress up as Minions! It's a DIY-costume that's inexpensive and funny.

Brit + Co

The Sanderson Sisters

Hocus Pocus is basically life for the Brit + Co team so it only makes sense to show up to your virtual Halloween party wearing one of the above costumes!

Planning any virtual Halloween gatherings? Share your costumes with us @BritandCo!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial

Some men may not like posting their significant others on social media, butAaron Taylor-Johnson definitely isn't one of them. He recently celebrated his wife, Sam Taylor-Johnson's birthday, highlighting what he finds so special about her in his eyes on Instagram. They may have a controversial age-gap relationship, but their marriage is beyond a PR stunt. Frankly, they could give some of us a much-needed lesson in the ways of maintaining a long-term relationship... 👀

Anyway! Here's what Aaron Taylor-Johnson had to say about Sam Taylor-Johnson in his loving birthday tribute!

See the sweet and spicy way Aaron Taylor-Johnson celebrated Sam Taylor-Johnson's birthday!

Cindy Ord/Getty Images

Sam Taylor-Johnson's nearing her golden years as she turned 58 this week! We're sure all birthdays are a big deal, but we especially appreciate the way Aaron Taylor-Johnson praised his wife on Instagram. His caption reads: "💕Happy Birthday gorgeous! ❤️ Love spending every moment with you 💚💛"

Instead of choosing his favorite picture of her, Aaron posted a lengthy carousel of his wife. Pictures include Sam doing an impressive split (we're jealous!), taking photos on a yacht, enjoying a steamy smooch with him, and being highlighted by the sun's golden rays. Aaron even made sure to throw in the classic "sunglasses on vacation" photo that's almost feels mandatory for couples to pose in.

It didn't take long to find Sam's response to Aaron's beautiful PDA post in his comments. "❤️❤️I love you ❤️❤️," is short, sweet, and to the point as she seems to know how cherished she is.

Aside from her husband's grand gesture, Sam has been reposting more "happy birthday" posts on Instagram stories so we think she's happily soaking up all the genuine love in her life. We can only hope our friends and families will commemorate our birthdays in a similar way this year!

Follow us on Facebook for more breaking news about celebrity couples, new TV shows, book-to-film adaptions, and more!

The beginning of spring is the perfect excuse to refresh your wardrobe with breezy, flattering dresses that make you feel ahh-mazing. Amazon is packed with adorable plus-size styles for the season, from flowy maxis to perfectly-cinched wrap dresses that highlight your curves in only the best ways. If you’re looking for effortless spring dresses that also abide by this year's hottest fashion trends, these Amazon picks are calling your name!

Scroll on for 11 flattering plus-size spring dresses – all shoppable on Amazon!

Amazon

Pinup Milkmaid Sundress

A milkmaid neckline will never not flatter your figure. Plus, with plenty of florals, this dress is totally spring-ready!

Amazon

Holipick Strapless Tube Top Sundress

Your next vacation 'fit is calling! This easy, breezy sundress lets you get some good sun while still shaping your waistline, thanks to the stretchy smocked top.

Amazon

Talisea Off-The-Shoulder Puff Sleeve Maxi Dress

We love a white maxi dress for springtime! This one is sooo dreamy with its puff sleeve design and tied front. Pair it with your fave sandals or flats, and you're ready to step out in style.

Amazon

Amegoya Boho Square Neck Floral Midi Dress

Just look at those colors! This tiered maxi moment is exceptionally flattering since it features a tie-back waist that'll cinch you in nicely.

Amazon

Dokotoo Tie-Back Lantern Sleeve Dress

Spring dresses with square necklines are some of our favorite styles out there. This adorable dress comes in so many different colors to match your personal style, plus sizes up to XXL!

Amazon

Talisea Sweetheart Neckline Dress

The light chiffon material this mini's made of practically screams springtime.

Amazon

Pinup Chiffon Smocked Midi Dress

This charming dress couldn't be more comfortable! This stunning pattern features some shiny, tiny gold dots to enhance your look without being entirely overwhelming, pattern-wise.

Amazon

Scomchic Wrap Skater Mini Dress

This dress combines both a v-neckline and a wrap silhouette to hug your body in all the right places.

Amazon

Hanna Nikole Casual Bohemian Maxi Dress

This classy style features a pleated front, which adds a head-turning factor to your spring looks. This number would look stunning with some tall boots (especially a little cowboy boot moment) and a denim jacket!

Amazon

Pinup Strapless Ruffle Beach Dress

If you've got a beachy vacay planned, you need to add this strapless dress to your packing list. It's easy to put on and even easier to wear, thanks to the loose-fitting skirt.

Amazon

Soly Hux Short Sleeve Mini Dress

Hello, pink! This mini is undeniably flattering with a milkmaid neckline and fitted waist to pull you in comfortably.

Subscribe to our newsletter to shop more plus-size fashion picks!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.