14 Extremely Helpful Free Graphic Design Courses
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In our visual world, graphic design is an increasingly important skill for all kinds of creatives to have. For photographers and creatives in the fashion world, knowing the basics of Photoshop and the principles of graphic design is crucial for giving your work that professional edge. For illustrators and artists, graphic design is a fundamental part of the job—all the more reason to keep expanding your design skills and knowledge.
Improving your graphic design skill set doesn’t have to mean going back to school, though. There are lots of online graphic design courses that can help you hone your design talents, offered by universities, graphic design experts, and online course hubs like Udemy.
We’ve searched for the best free graphic design courses out there to help you budding designers and other interested creatives brush up on the foundations of typography, color, essential graphic design software, and lots more.
Alison calls itself a “new world of free certified learning.” It says its goal is to make it possible for anyone to study anything, from anywhere, at any subject level, for free. However, it is a for-profit company, so the site does offer premium subscription plans that unlock additional features.
The site is full of different types of courses that often lead to earning a test-based certificate. This can add a new qualification to your resume. Having a certificate in a subject can actually go a long way to secure a job or freelance opportunity. But while it’s free to take any of the courses on Alison, there is a charge if you want a certificate. The pricing starts at about $20 for a digital certificate and ranges up to over $100 for a framed diploma.
Alison has a large number of free graphic design courses available. That means there are options to suit designers of every skill level. For instance, there are graphic design courses that focus on defining all the basic terms and principles, such as this certificate course in Visual and Graphic Skills. There are also courses that teach you how to apply those principles by providing case studies and practice exercises, such as this one on Design Principles.
There is also a range of more specific classes to help you learn to use the tools and software needed for graphic design, such as this class on Photoshop Essential Tools.
All of the courses on Alison are basically presented in slideshows. So instead of having to scroll through a long page of information, everything is broken up into easily-digestible chunks. However, the downside is that every time you move on to a new topic in a lesson, the page reloads and you have to watch an ad for 8 seconds (unless you’re willing to pay the $9 a month for a premium plan).
While it’s not perfect, Alison does offer a great free resource for those seeking to learn graphic design.
Udemy features videos by independent teaching contractors with prices depending on the length of the video, the teacher, and the field. Essentially, Udemy is a competitive classroom marketplace. This means classes are rated, and the quality of the class is illuminated by ratings just like on Yelp. There are frequently sale specials on the site, so watch out for deals on the classes you want. Many of the courses on Udemy are free, too.
The Introduction to Graphic Design is a great place to start. This free graphic design course covers topics including the design process, basic elements, the five main principles of design, and how to see design through new eyes. It aims to teach participants what real designers do, and give them an understanding of what makes good design. The course description says that students don’t need to have any specific software or any prior knowledge of design.
And when you’re done with the introduction, there is a wide variety of other online graphic design courses available for free on Udemy. The site makes it easy to browse through them as you can set the search filter to show only free courses. Just some of the topics they cover software guides, tips for common projects, and in-depth tutorials.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology offers online OpenCourseWare. OpenCourseWare is the most egalitarian form of education. It exists online as a free database of courses created by professional academic teachers and course writers. Most of these graphic design classes are related to an overarching course on another topic, such as web coding. But they are still helpful and trusted resources. Also, as opposed to discussing just the theory of design, these courses tend to focus more on practical application.
For example, this graphic design class is part of a course on user interface design. It provides a few simple activities that will help you learn graphic design techniques and concepts. That includes visiting a few example websites to study how they handle graphic design and how they could improve.
Also available is a variety of other resources such as lectures on design topics. One example is this presentation on intelligent web design.
The site is well-organized so its easy to navigate and find the lessons you are looking for. In addition, since MIT’s OpenCourseWare is a not-for-profit initiative, you never have to deal with any ads or sales pitches for subscription plans.
Typography is key to the work of a graphic designer. In almost all instances of graphic design, you will see some use of type. Each font adds a different feeling and style to a design. So choosing a font can make or break your design project.
In this document, you can find a comprehensive yet simple introduction to the history and nuances of typography. It’s only about five pages long, but it has a ton of information. So while this is not a graphic design course by any stretch, it deserves a place on this list because it could be invaluable to any design student.
It includes a list of the 100 best typefaces, short descriptions and histories of the 10 most popular typefaces, a list of suggested reading, and explanations on typeface classifications and characteristics. It’s a great introduction for any aspiring graphic designer, and has enough helpful information that it could be a useful resource to revisit again and again.
This article outlines all the resources you need to create a self-taught graphic design course to replace a traditional education. It’s written by Sean Hodge, who’s currently the Business Editor for the Tuts+ educational network. He also has experience building a number of high traffic blogs.
The article is broken down into helpful subtopics such as design principles, history of design, and how to put together a design portfolio. Each section provides a list of helpful resources including design books, educational blogs, job boards for finding design jobs, and websites where you can promote your work.
It’s an incredibly comprehensive list of information that could be the primary basis for how you learn graphic design. At the very least, it is a helpful supplemental resource.
Veerle Pieters is a Belgium-based graphic/web designer with a website dedicated to all things graphic design. She has experience designing everything from logos, stationery, and brochures, to websites and intranet user interfaces.
Her site includes a wide selection of articles with tutorials, tips, and tricks to help you learn graphic design. She includes helpful insight on working with clients and developing a portfolio, as well as simple solutions to problems many graphic designers might face. Most importantly for the new designer, Veerle offers tutorials and tips for using design software.
This blog is delightfully well-designed, and is worth a visit if only for some inspiration.
Canva Design School offers lessons, tutorials, resources, and articles on a variety of topics that will be helpful to new graphic designers. For example, one of their graphic design courses titled “Creativity” is made up of seven lessons that cover subjects including “how to grab attention with your designs” and “how to create and maintain your own vision and style.”
Another helpful graphic design class available is called How to Build a Brand. It covers subjects including how to build a logo, choose a color palette, choose a type palette, find imagery, and create graphics that suit your brand.
Each lesson in these courses is laid out like a long-form article and they and packed with helpful information, example designs, and links to resources. Besides the online graphic design courses, there are many more articles under the site’s blog section. These articles are an ideal place to find some quick tips or inspiration for your next design project.
Envato has created a dense and helpful tutorial archive to help with almost any software and process in design. There is the whole gamut of topics, including Illustrator, Photoshop, Cinema 4D, Rhino, and many more.
In addition, there are free graphic design courses to help you with the business side of the job, such as how to make a professional invoice and how to make a professional resume.
There are over 1,000 courses and how-to tutorials in Envato’s design and illustration database. And browsing through them all is a breeze since the database lets you choose categories such as the specific software or design process. Another helpful feature is that you can filter the results by skill level.
So if you are stuck with a problem you don’t know how to solve, then try this site, you’ll probably find a solution.
Creative Pro is an online design magazine that has a great “How-To” section for helping to learn graphic design. Most of the videos and articles are for experienced designer problems. These articles focus on common challenges that designers face and they provide pro tips on how to overcome them. One example is their article on how to move vector graphics between Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop.
One issue with the site is the How-To articles aren’t organized with categories, so it’s not very convenient for browsing. But the list is searchable, so if you have a topic in mind, it’s not too hard to find what you’re looking for.
Overall, this is a great resource for anyone who’s seeking to learn graphic design for free. Beginners could pair these more specific how-to articles with some of the other resources listed here for a well rounded auto-didactic education in graphic design.
CreativeLive offers a range of online courses geared towards designers and artists. The full courses typically aren’t free. However, there is a wide range of free video lessons available that can help you learn graphic design.
For example, there are free graphic design courses on topics including Colors and Their Relationships and What Makes a Successful Book Cover.
However, only the video lessons are free. You don’t get access to course materials like readings and practice assignments unless you pay for them.
Another issue with the site is that when you’re browsing through the large database of lessons, there’s no easy way to tell which lessons are free until you click on one. But once you visit the page for a lesson, it will show you all the lessons from the same course that are free.
If you want to sign up for a full course, they typically cost around $30 to $50 each. Alternatively, you can sign up for a subscription for $25 a month that gets you access to as many courses as you want.
Despite these gripes, the sheer amount of helpful graphic design classes available on CreativeLive make it well worth a visit.
This introduction to design is offered through the California Insititute of Arts on Coursera. Coursera offers online courses from a wide range of universities and companies. The California Institute of Arts has five different free graphic design courses available on the site, under its graphic design specialization section.
The Fundamentals of Creative Design is a great starting point as it covers the basics of topics from typography and image-making, to shape, color, and composition. But all of the courses in CalArt’s graphic design specialization are worth checking out, as they delve into each of those topics in more detail.
One thing that sets these graphic design classes apart from many of the other options out there is that they are much more than just slide shows. Instead, they include a combination of video lessons, readings, and practice exercises.
To have your work marked by an instructor and to receive a certificate when you complete the course, you have to pay to enroll. Typically, to enroll in a specialization and get access to all of its related courses costs between $39-$79 per month.
However, you can get access to all of the course content for free. All you have to do is choose the “audit the course” option when you sign up (avoid the “free trial” offer as it just means you start paying after seven days).
The high quality of these courses and the ability to access all of the content for free makes them an ideal way to learn graphic design.
This online graphic design course from the University of Colorado is another one that’s offered through Coursera. That means you can get access to all the videos, readings, and exercises for free.
This course is a great choice for inexperienced graphic designers. That’s because it is part of a four-course program on effective communication. That means it is aimed at a more general audience and doesn’t require any previous knowledge of graphic design.
It offers easy-to-understand lessons that teach students some design “tricks” that will make it easier to get started on design projects with confidence. It also includes practice exercises where students are presented with example designs, and then have to use what they’ve learned to identify the designs’ strengths and weaknesses.
So while it is perfect for those who are just starting out and are unsure about how to learn graphic design, it also has no shortage of valuable information. If you take the time to go through this free graphic design course, you’ll be off to a great start!
This online graphic design course is offered by the Maryland Institute College of Art. It is available through Kadenze, which is an online learning platform that is very similar to Coursera. They have courses from universities and institutions around the world, and you can get access to all of the course content for free.
This course on graphic design history provides background knowledge that will be useful to any graphic designer. The course description says that to know where graphic design trends are going, you have to understand where they began, what shaped them, and how avant-garde artists reinvented them along the way.
The topics covered include the origins of text and graphic design, liberated styles of the late 1800s, mechanical abstractions and photomontage, practicality in typography, international styles, and more.
The course is packed full of content. It is made up of seven sessions that each involve multiple video lessons and coursework such as quizzes and practice assignments. Another cool thing about this course is that it gives you access to the class discussion forum even as a free user.
So if you are looking for a free graphic design course that you can really sink your teeth into, this is a perfect choice.
This online course was created by the Cornish College of the Arts and is offered through Kadenze. It focuses on the integration of design principles and drawing skills. It’s recommended that participants should already have some understanding of fundamental design theory before taking this course, so it is a good choice once you’ve taken some of the other courses listed here.
The course syllabus covers some topics in design theory such as the principles that make illustration effective for communication. It also covers more hands-on topics including digital tool demos to show some advanced techniques for Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign.
Similar to the course listed above, each session in this course is made up of multiple video lessons. They also include assignments that will give you a chance to apply the knowledge you’ve picked up. It is a great option for designers who are looking to expand their illustration skills.
So now you know some of the options that are out there when it comes to learning graphic design for free. These online graphic design courses will let you expand your abilities and career prospects, all from the comfort of your home and working at your own pace. The wide range of classes available means you should have no problems finding something that matches your skill level and needs. So start brushing up on your graphic design skills today!
If you are looking for even more Photoshop resources, we curated a list of 61 of the best Photoshop tutorials that you should check out!
This article was updated January 5, 2020.
43 Clever Little Things That Immediately Make You Look Better (& Are On Amazon Prime)
"Practicality" might as well be my middle name. (Unless it's convenient, efficient, and simple, I don't want anything to do with it.) Still, that doesn't mean I don't appreciate aesthetic, too; something can be pretty and pragmatic simultaneously. In fact, I strive for this careful balance in almost everything I do — my home decor, my work, my knitting creations — but especially when it comes to my beauty routine. Cue the most brilliant finds that make you look 10 times better, and all in a matter of minutes.
As far as I'm concerned, you don't have to spend three hours (or your whole paycheck, for that matter) in order to look and feel more put together. My entire closet is comprised of low-maintenance, versatile pieces that complement so many outfits. My makeup bag is loaded with affordable beauty hacks designed by someone who was clearly using their brain, and I only buy hair tools that shave some serious time off of my morning routine.
And by now, you've probably realized that I'm not running off to designer stores and crowded beauty outlets to grab these things. Instead, I stick almost exclusively to the beauty products with a cult following on Amazon. What's more, the faster it's incorporated into my day-to-day, the better, so if it's Prime-eligible, I'm all for it.
If you're looking for easy ways to look better in a snap, check out these 43 clever things that fellow practical people can't get enough of.
1. A Tool That Creates Easy, Voluminous Waves
Bed Head A-Wave-We-Go Waver
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Buyers say that the Bed Head A-Wave-We-Go tool has "revolutionized the way [they] do [their] hair." Unlike confusing flat-iron techniques and temperamental curling wands, this one creates volume and beachy texture using an effortless crimping motion. The multiple barrels are adjustable for different looks, and the wide temperature range ensures a good fit for all types of hair. It's even dual-voltage for travel.
2. This Full Brow Kit So "Your Eyebrows Come Out Perfect Every Time"
Q HAIR Full Eyebrow Kit
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With 36 stencils in all different shapes and a three-in-one pencil that brushes, applies color, and smudges, the Q HAIR eyebrow kit is an easy way to speed along your makeup routine. It's made with skin-friendly ingredients and is designed to last all day, and buyers love it because it's "no stress no mess." Another reviewer wrote, "This is great for beginners. Your eyebrows come out perfect every time!"
3. These Reusable Cloths That Remove Makeup — With Only Water
S&T Inc. Always Off Makeup Cloths (5-Pack)
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I have dry, easily irritated skin, so I'm not exaggerating when I say that these reusable makeup remover cloths have entirely transformed my complexion. They allow me to skip cleansers and moisture-stripping soaps altogether, because the genius microfiber material removes all makeup using just water — yes, mascara and lipstick stains included. These come in packs of three or five and offer tons of adorable, washable patterns.
4. A Natural Soap That Cleanses, Nourishes, Exfoliates, & Detoxifies
The Seaweed Bath Co. Exfoliating Detox Body Soap
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Streamline your shower with The Seaweed Bath Co. soap, which offers so many skin-care benefits in one easy step. Bladderwrack seaweed nourishes and detoxifies with over 60 vitamins and minerals, while Arabica coffee grounds exfoliate away old skin. Then there's the cinnamon, which boosts skin's elasticity and renewal, and the blend of botanical oils for hydration. The bar is even infused with activated charcoal to draw impurities out of your pores.
5. This 4-Piece Handbag Set For Just $40
ELIMPAULHandbag Set (4-Piece)
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The right bag can tie an entire outfit together — but it'd better be affordable, sturdy, and practical, too. This four-piece set comes with a tote, a crossbody, a clutch, and a wallet, all for just $40, so you're ready for any occasion. The set is made from quality synthetic leather and available in 17 stylish colors, and most importantly, reviewers "can't believe the value."
6. A Heated Curler To Bring Your Lashes To The Next Level
Hizek Electric Eyelash Curler
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Heat locks your lashes into a curled position, which is why people often blow-dry their curler — but this Hizek electric curler is faster, safer, and much easier to customize. Choose between four different temperatures; the the thermal slots will hug individual lashes while setting them in a curled, volume-boosting position. It's even USB-rechargeable for added convenience, and those with thin, straight lashes say the effects last all day.
7. The Top-Selling Jeans On All Of Amazon
Signature by Levi Strauss & Co. Pull-On Skinny Jeans
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There are several reasons why these skinny jeans from Levi Strauss & Co. are always in the number-one best-selling spot: They're well-made, available in various colors, and come in long, medium, and short lengths — but most importantly, thanks to the stretchy material and thick-band pull-on waist, people say they're shockingly comfortable and fit incredibly well. (Some pairs are even eligible for Prime Wardrobe, which means you can try them on before you buy them.)
SKIN1004 Zombie Pack (8-Pack)
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I'm not usually one for gimmicky beauty products, but according to reviewers, this Zombie pack face mask actually improves tone, texture, and elasticity. Yes, it makes you look like a zombie while it's drying — but that temporary wrinkled texture is the result of albumin, which tightens, brightens, hydrates, and detoxifies pores. "I love a good mask and this one is quick to use with nice, freshening results," one buyer wrote.
9. This Life-Changing Brush That Styles While You Dry
Revlon One-Step Hair Dryer Brush
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If your hair takes forever to blow dry or is naturally curly, frizzy, or thick, buyers swear this brush "will change your life." The Revlon One-Step is a blow dryer and a brush in one, so the ceramic-coated barrel directs hot air through the bristles to straighten and style strands. It has three heat settings, an ion generator to reduce frizz, and a powerful 1,100-watt motor to get the job done in record time.
10. A Derma Roller That People Call A "Miracle Worker"
Love & Pebble Microneedle Derma Roller
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This derma roller from Love & Pebble has 600 premium, titanium microneedles that roll over the surface of your skin. In the process, they create tiny, invisible holes, which prompt a rush of healing collagen to the area. While it may sound painful, buyers say it's not — and it's simply "the BEST tool for evening out skin tone and improving the look of hyperpigmentation and scarring." This set comes with the handle, three replacement heads, and an e-book.
11. This $7 Brush Tool To Prevent Color Transfer
MS.DEAR Color Removal Sponge
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Remove colors and product build-up from your brushes (without water or cleansers), so you can jump right to the next step. This MS.DEAR sponge is made with an absorbent material and a charcoal filter, so it removes residue without the need for moisture. People say it's an especially great tool for eye makeup, since you can switch shadow colors without having to worry about accidental transferring.
12. An All-In-1 Set For Gel Manicures At Home
Beetles Gel Nail Polish Starter Kit
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Roughly two years ago, I got myself an at-home gel manicure set, and I haven't been back to the salon since. It's paid for itself countless times over because it includes everything you need to get bright, long-lasting nails at home — including a top coat, base coat, multiple colors, manicure tools, and a UV/LED lamp. This one in particular is highly rated because it's "easy to use" and your "nails look fantastic," according to buyers.
13. This Easy Teeth-Whitening Kit That Won't Cause Sensitivities
Dr Song Teeth Whitening Kit
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Forget painful strips and expensive professional treatments. Thousands of people are thrilled with the results they've gotten from the Dr. Song whitening kit, which uses a gentle formula alongside an LED accelerator light in order to brighten your smile without causing sensitivities. "I have been using for one week and have noticed a difference," one buyer said. "What I like the most is that I have very sensitive teeth and have not had a problem."
14. This Foolproof Palette For Effortless Smokey-Eyes
Revlon PhotoReady Eye Contour Kit
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If you can't quite get the hang of the elusive smokey-eye, you're not alone — which is why Revlon created this PhotoReady eye contour palette. It's available in eight color combinations and does all the work for you in terms of choosing the best transitional shades and showing you exactly where they go. Reviewers say the formula itself is easy to apply, long-lasting, and crease-resistant.
15. A Facial-Hair Remover That's Painless & Versatile
Reazeal Rechargeable Two-In-One Hair Remover
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When it comes to removing unwanted facial hair, few tools are as convenient, efficient, and painless as this one. The Reazeal two-in-one has a built-in LED light, an 18-karat gold-plated head for sensitive skin, and a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that powers the hidden blades. Thanks to the two interchangeable heads, you can remove hair on flat skin as well as in rounded areas (like inside nostrils and ears).
16. These Scrunchies That Turn Your Ponytail Into A Statement
Jaciya Chiffon Bow Scrunchies
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Turn your practical ponytail into a stylish statement with these chiffon bow scrunchies from Jaciya. They come in a pack of six colors and look as if you tied your hair up with a fabric band — but in actuality, the elastic interior is a no-brainer for up-dos, buns, and braids.
17. A Colorful Bracelet That Doubles As An Aromatherapy Tool
Hamoery Aromatherapy Bracelet
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Accessorize with practicality thanks to this adjustable aromatherapy bracelet from Hamoery. It has seven colorful gemstone beads for decoration and (some believe) energetic balance, but the other beads are made from absorbent lava stone; as a result, you can apply a few drops of your favorite essential oils, and your bracelet will diffuse the relaxing scents all day long.
18. These Brilliant Magnetic Eyelashes That Attach To The Liner
HSBCC Magnetic False Lashes
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I'll never go back to glue-on falsies, and thousands of other reviewers agree — magnetic lashes are faster, easier, and way more comfortable. This set comes with five different pairs of varying thicknesses, which have built-in magnets along the strips that attach to the included eyeliner. They even come with a tweezer tool to help with application.
19. This Stylish Scarf With 2 Hidden Zipper Pockets
TwoYek Hidden Pocket Infinity Scarf
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This brilliant scarf doesn't just tie your outfit together — it also ensures that your essentials are within reach and safely hidden on your person. The bamboo-blend fabric has two built-in pockets that are large enough for your phone or passport and secured with zippers. Get the scarf in nearly 20 colors and patterns.
20. These Hair-Finishing Sticks That Tame Rogue Strands
JDO Hair Finishing Sticks (2-Pack)
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Neaten up your up-do, set your bangs, tame fly-aways, and collect short strands around your nape. These JDO finishing sticks are filled with a moisturizing (but non-greasy) formula that smooths down hair, plus the mascara-like applicator is ideal for precise, detailed work. "Love this product," one reviewer raved. "The little hairs really stay put and don’t bother you."
21. These Memory-Foam Flats That Are As Comfortable As Slippers
BOBS from Skechers Fashion Flats
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Whether you're working, running errands, or out on the town, these BOBS fashion flats are the "best shoes ever," according to buyers. They complement tons of outfits thanks to their canvas exterior, multiple color options, and mesh panels, but the soft fabric and memory-foam insole mean they feel "like slippers that you can wear outside." They even come in half-sizes and wide options.
22. This Brush For A Deeply Cleansed, Massaged Scalp
Heeta Hair Scalp Massager
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Since it's handheld and waterproof, it doesn't get much more convenient than this Heeta scalp brush — but don't be fooled; despite its ease of use, buyers still say it's the "best thing [they] never knew [they] needed." The silicone bristles both work shampoo between strands for a deeper clean and boost circulation in the scalp. As a result, it aims to help with volume, oil control, and new growth, all while feeling amazing.
23. Some Unique Brushes That Make Blending A Breeze
Duorime Toothbrush-Style Makeup Brushes (7-Piece)
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"They are super soft and make blending out my foundation, cream products, and eyeshadow a breeze," one buyer raved about these Duorime brushes, and it's all due to their unique design. The soft, synthetic bristles are horizontal instead of vertical (like a toothbrush), so you have improved control and an easier time distributing makeup. With seven brushes in all different sizes, you're set with everything from foundation to shadow.
24. This Tape For Sharp Lines & No Shadow Fallout
Vertex Beauty Makeup Tape
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Put this tape under your eyes before you apply your shadow, and it'll create sharp, even lines while simultaneously catching any fallout. Unlike traditional tape, it's breathable, gentle, and residue-free, plus it comes in a convenient dispenser that allows you to customize the size. "It is so much easier [than] trying to make a straight line yourself. Really glad I made this purchase," one reviewer wrote.
25. The Drugstore Under-Eye Concealer That Even Makeup Snobs Adore
Maybelline Eraser Concealer
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"I am a makeup snob. I have stupidly high standards for cosmetic performance," one reviewer wrote. "This eraser is now my official go-to product." In fact, Maybelline Eraser is widely considered the best drugstore concealer because of its buildable coverage, crease-resistant formula, and versatility. It can be used on everything from blemishes to dark under-eyes, and it comes in over a dozen shades for all different skin tones.
26. This Hyaluronic Acid Serum For Unparalleled Moisture
Amara Beauty Hyaluronic Acid Serum
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Those with "extremely dry, flaky and bumpy" skin say that this Amara Beauty serum is "worth every penny" and is the "ONLY topical product [they've] tried that actually worked." While it's packed with vitamins C and E, the real star of the show is hyaluronic acid (derived from the seeds of the Cassia angustifolia plant). This ingredient holds 1,000 times its weight in moisture in order to keep skin plump and hydrated from the inside-out; it's also non-greasy and absorbs super fast.
27. These Silky Pajamas That Look Great & Feel Even Better
Ekouaer Pajamas Set
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A great wardrobe shouldn't solely contain daytime wear. Stay stylish at night — and while sipping your Sunday coffee — thanks to this top-selling pajama set from Ekouaer. It's made primarily from silky, breathable viscose with a bit of added stretch, and the matching button-down shirt and pants come in a huge range of colors and patterns. "Luxury at its finest," one buyer said. "Best pj's I've ever had."
SWISSÖKOLAB 24K Undereye Patches
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Thanks to quality ingredients like collagen, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and — last but not least — real 24-karat gold, these SWISSÖKOLAB patches aim to brighten and plump tired under-eyes. The result, according to reviewers? "I was a skeptic about these in general," one wrote, but "the puffiness, dryness and discoloration subsided. I’ll be adding these to my evening prep before an event going forward!"
29. A Genius Brush To Reduce Ingrown Hairs & Razor Burn
Dylonic Exfoliating Brush
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If you often experience irritation or ingrown hairs after hair removal, this one's for you: The Dylonic exfoliating brush has hundreds of exfoliating bristles that remove old skin cells and loosen up trapped follicles, which often clog pores alongside shaving and waxing. It can be used before or after hair removal, and buyers say they've "felt a big difference in the condition of [their] skin."
30. This Cult-Favorite Primer That People Are "So In Love With"
Touch In Sol No Pore Blem Primer
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It protects skin with green tea extract, moisturizes and plumps with collagen, and has a lightweight formula that shrinks the appearance of pores and creates a smooth, even canvas. No wonder so many people are obsessed with Touch In Sol No Pore Blem primer. "By far the best primer I have ever used," one reviewer said. "You don't have to use very much, and it makes your skin feel like velvet."
31. A Cream That Strengthens Nails & Softens Cuticles
Carmichael’s Nail Strengthener Imperial Cuticle Cream
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If you're looking for longer, stronger, healthier-looking nails, this is one of the most well-rounded solutions out there. Carmichael Imperial cream is loaded with moisture and nourishment to smooth cuticles, prevent cracking, stop peeling, and encourage nail growth. "I've been using this cuticle cream for 5 days now and my nails look fabulous," one reviewer raved.
32. This Intricate Mesh Bralette That's Also Super Comfortable
Mae High-Neck Bralette
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Despite the fact that it's "the most comfortable bra" reviewers have ever worn, this Mae high-neck bralette actually "gives pretty good support." The best part, however, is the intricate mesh pattern in the front, which looks amazing during workouts, functions as coverage for low-cut necklines, and acts as a statement piece for your favorite leisurewear outfit. Get it in just about any color.
HAIRREAL Messy Hair Bun Extensions
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"Even my sister couldn't tell it wasn't my actual hair," one buyer raved about these HAIRREAL bun extensions. The synthetic, heat-resistant fibers are surprisingly realistic-looking and easy to style — and since they come in 15 shades, you can likely find one that blends with your specific hair color. They add volume to messy buns and up-dos, so at just $7 a piece, they're well-worth adding to your hair-styling arsenal.
34. These Genius Swabs That Are Actually Designed For Makeup
Fran Wilson Eye Tees (3-Pack)
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Intentionally smudge your liner or neaten up your lipstick without smearing it everywhere. These brilliant Fran Wilson Q-tips are flat on one end and pointed on the other, so they're specifically designed for easier makeup application and touch-ups. You get three packs of 80 with this order, and reviewers asked, "Where have you been my whole life? [...] I will never use a regular swab again."
35. This Versatile Skirt That's Easily Reviewers' Favorite
Urban CoCo Perfect Versatile Skirt
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According to buyers, the various color options and thick, stretchy fabric make this Urban CoCo skater skirt "really versatile to match with any outfit." You can "pair it with blouses for nicer occasions or with a graphic tee for casual wear." It also comes in two different lengths for all heights (not to mention several eye-catching prints if you want something unique). "This is easily my favorite skirt I own," someone wrote.
LA PURE Waterproof Eyeliner Stamp Pen Set
$12
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Liquid liner can be temperamental and time-consuming — and once you get the first eye down, you have to get the second one to match. Cue the LA PURE liner set. This godsend comes with two double-sided pens (one for each eye), and the winged stamp creates a perfect cat-eye every time. The formula itself is waterproof, smudge-resistant, and gentle on sensitive eyes, which explains the 4.4-star rating.
37. This Convenient Hair Mask That Reverses Damage — Fast
Elizavecca Collagen Coating Hair Protein Treatment
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People with color- and heat-damaged hair experienced "immediate results" with this Elizavecca hair treatment, and they say their hair has "never felt this smooth and soft." In under 20 minutes, this mask reinforces strands with protein extracts, improves texture and frizz with collagen, and deeply hydrates with ceramides. In short, it leaves hair healthier-looking and much easier to manage.
38. This Activated Charcoal Toothpaste That Whitens While You Brush
Hello Oral Care Activated Charcoal Toothpaste
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If you want whiter teeth without having to add any steps to your dental routine, thousands of buyers swear by Hello Oral Care toothpaste. Instead of fluoride and SLS, this formula aims to whiten teeth and absorb toxins using activated charcoal derived from sustainable bamboo. It also has coconut oil, tea tree, and xylitol, all of which target bacteria and help freshen breath. "It really, really works!" one reviewer raved. "I’d say my teeth are about 4 shades whiter."
39. "The Best Purchase" Curly-Haired Buyers Have Ever Made
Crave Naturals Glide Thru Detangling Brush
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"I think this is the best purchase I’ve ever made in my 25 years of life," one buyer wrote, while another said, "I have long curly hair and this is the only brush/comb that does not get stuck [or] pull out hair from my scalp." Unlike most brushes, this one from Crave Naturals has special cone-shaped bristles, which separate hair sideways instead of down in order to loosen up tangles without pain.
40. Some Unique Concealer Shades To Counteract Discoloration
L'Oreal Paris Color Correcting Kit
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At first glance, this total-cover concealer kit from L'Oreal Paris might seem like it's a better fit for Sesame Street puppets — but in actuality, the unique shades help to counteract discoloration for an even complexion all over the face. The peach disguises dark circles, the yellow brightens like a highlighter, the green neutralizes redness, and the purple helps with hyper-pigmentation. In terms of the formula itself, buyers love both the coverage and the ease of application.
41. This Versatile T-Shirt Dress That's Selling Like Hotcakes
Unbranded* Loose T-Shirt Dress
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After incorporating one Unbranded* tunic dress into their wardrobe, tons of people come back to grab several more. The rayon-spandex fabric is stretchy and breathable, the simple, loose design can be dressed up with accessories or dressed down for casual wear, and the 25 color options offer something for everyone. And yes, it has pockets. No wonder people have said things like, "This is my favorite item of clothing I've ordered on Amazon!"
Soft Touch Foot Peel Mask
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If you can wait a week or two, these Soft Touch foot masks aim to give you the smoothest, most moisturized feet you've ever experienced. Simply apply the booties and give the botanical ingredients an hour to penetrate the hard, callused skin. Then, in a few days, the skin will begin to peel off in literal sheets. The process has been compared to a "shedding snake," and buyers say it's "satisfying as heck."
43. These Pimple Patches That Cover Your Whole Cheek
AVARELLE Acne Pimple Patches (8-Pack)
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Most pimple patches are super effective at drawing the contents out of a blemish so it can heal faster — but they're only big enough to cover one at a time. These square-shaped patches from AVARELLE, on the other hand, are larger and designed to cover multiple pimples at once. They're made with hydrocolloid, tea tree, and calendula to absorb liquid and tackle bacteria, and people have called them a "great discovery."
Bustle may receive a portion of sales from products purchased from this article, which was created independently from Bustle's editorial and sales departments.
The 7 types of accounts you need to accelerate your wealth, according to a financial adviser
If you're serious about building wealth, there are seven types of accounts you need to have to make it happen. Don't worry if you don't have them right now – that's the whole point of this article. I didn't have them either when I began my wealth-building journey, but I added them as I moved forward. You can do the same.
And once you have them up and running, you're going to see your wealth begin to grow faster than you ever imagined. It's all about creating the right mix of accounts.
Let's jump right in with the seven types of accounts you need to accelerate your wealth.
1. High-yield checking accounts
I know what you're thinking: What does a checking account have to do with building wealth? After all, just about everyone has a checking account.
But the arrangement tends to be a bit different with the wealthy. The wealthy make sure their money is working for them, even in their checking accounts. That's why they favor interest-bearing checking accounts, paying rates at the top of the yield curve for that account type.
The basic idea is to make sure you're earning some kind of income, even on funds you expect to spend in the current month.
This is the exact opposite of how most people think. They may believe that since the money will be in the account only for a few days or weeks, there's no point worrying about earning income on it. But for the wealthy, it's about earning something on your money, no matter where you have it parked.
If you have a certain asset amount, you'll usually have access to a private banking or private wealth management account with a bank. That will often come with high-interest checking. But even if you don't have the large bankroll, there are still ways you can earn high interest on your checking.
There are online banks that specialize in paying high interest rates, even on checking accounts, like Ally Bank's Interest Checking Account and Charles Schwab's High-Yield Investor Checking Account (not that Schwab's must be linked to a Schwab One Brokerage account, which also requires no minimum investment and charges no monthly fees).
2. High-yield savings accounts
If you're not in the habit of scanning interest rates at least occasionally, you may have fallen into the trap of believing your local bank is paying you the highest interest available. Unfortunately, that isn't remotely true. Complacency with interest yields costs you money in the form of lost income. That's exactly what the wealthy don't do.
This process starts by understanding exactly what interest rate your bank is paying you on your savings. Next, you'll need to investigate the available alternative high-yield savings accounts. And trust me, the difference between the two is probably a lot bigger than you think.
Here's the problem … the typical bank is paying just 0.09% on savings. It's a solid bet you're not earning much more than that on your current savings arrangement. But there are plenty of alternatives.
Before we get into that, make sure you check the financial integrity of any institution that's paying high interest rates. First, make sure your deposits are fully FDIC-insured. Second, check the rating on the bank to make sure they're solvent. N0 matter how much interest an institution pays, it's not worth the risk if it may fail.
That said, there are plenty of high-quality options.
If you're not earning top interest rates on your savings, it's the equivalent of giving your bank a loan. Even if they're paying you 0.09%, the rate is practically nothing. And they'll be loaning out your funds for 4% on car loans and 20% or more on credit cards. You owe it yourself to earn as much on your savings as possible.
3. Tax savings accounts
This is one I didn't quite get it until I launched my own business. When you're self-employed, you have to make tax deposits throughout the year. Unlike an employee, you don't have withholding taxes taken out of each paycheck.
If you're self-employed, or if you expect to have significant non-employment income, you'll need to set up a tax savings account to be ready to file your income tax return. That will apply if you are operating a side business, freelancing, consulting, or working as an independent contractor.
You need to make quarterly tax payments, or at least have money set aside to pay your taxes at the end of the year. As a loose guideline, figure between 20% and 30% of the income you earn from non-wage sources should be paid estimates or set aside.
If you want to be really accurate, have an accountant or tax preparer analyze your income for the year and let you know how much you should be allocating for tax payments.
If your year-end tax liability from your extra income will be more than a few hundred dollars, you can be hit with a large tax bill when you file your return. Even worse, the IRS imposes penalties and interest on nonpayment or underpayment of income tax due.
If you're making estimated quarterly tax payments, you'll need to accumulate funds in your tax savings account as you earn them. This will be even more important if you plan to hold the funds to pay your additional tax liability when you file your return. Note that a "tax savings account" is not a different banking product — it's just a designated use for a savings account, like an emergency fund would be.
You should plan to accumulate the funds in a high-yield savings account. Even though the purpose of the money will ultimately be to pay your tax bill, you should still give yourself the benefit of earning high interest on those funds. It's a way to build additional wealth even on money earmarked for other purposes.
4. Personal equity fund
Hopefully, my use of the word "personal" in the name of this account doesn't cause you to confuse it with an emergency fund. That's not what it is at all. Everyone should have an emergency fund, and it should be held in a high-yield savings account so you can access the funds quickly when an unexpected need arises.
But a personal equity fund is something completely different. And unlike the other account types on this list, it's not for investing in financial instruments either. Instead, it's a fund you create to invest in yourself.
Investing in yourself may be the most overlooked type of investment there is, but it's also one of the very best. This is where you allocate funds to cover the cost of programs you'll participate in to improve your career and business skills. It can include coaching programs, mastermind groups, conferences or obtaining needed certifications. And that's just the short list.
Every wealthy person I know recognizes the value of investing in themselves, even if they don't have a designated personal equity fund for that purpose. But they do allocate money toward their personal development, self-growth, making themselves more marketable — you name it.
It's an investment of time and effort, as well as money. The personal equity fund will cover the money part, and that's more important than you might realize. By having an account set up specifically for these expenses, you'll be establishing the intent of self-improvement, as well as providing yourself the funds to do it. (Like the tax savings account, this isn't a different product your bank offers — it's a specific use for an account like a high-yield savings account.)
The more money you can earn, the more you'll have available for every other investment on this list. No matter who you are, that starts with making an investment in yourself to make that happen.
5. Roth IRA
Even if you're covered by an employer-sponsored retirement plan work, a Roth IRA has an advantage not available to any other retirement plan. It's tax-free income in retirement. If you're seriously interested in building long-term wealth, this is a component you need to add to your portfolio.
A Roth IRA is a particularly good strategy early in your wealth-building process. The plan does come with income limits. If you exceed those limits, you won't be able to make direct contributions to the plan. This is unlike contributions to a traditional IRA, where even if you are covered by an employer plan and exceed certain income limits, you can still make contributions but they won't be tax-deductible. With the Roth IRA, once you've reached those limits, you won't be able to make contributions, period.
But even if you exceed the limits for a Roth IRA contribution, there's another way you can make it work. It's the Roth IRA conversion. You'll make a non-deductible contribution to a traditional IRA, then do a conversion of those funds to a Roth IRA. This is often referred to as a backdoor Roth IRA contribution, and it can be done tax-free if it's made with non-deductible traditional IRA funds.
Even though a Roth IRA contribution isn't tax-deductible, the investment income you earn on the account is tax-deferred. But once you reach age 59 ½, and as long as you've been participating in the plan for at least five years, any withdrawals you make from the account will be tax-free. That includes both your contributions and the investment earnings they've accumulated.
You can open a Roth IRA just about anywhere. That includes a bank, credit union, brokerage firm, or a robo-adviser, like Betterment or Wealthfront.
An unexpected benefit of a Roth IRA, and one of the reasons I'm such a strong proponent, is that it's an excellent account to learn how to invest. For example, you'll need to meet with the trustee that will hold your account. That's how you'll learn about your investment options and the specifics of how the account works.
And if you choose self-directed investing through a brokerage firm, you'll get hands-on experience investing. Once you become familiar with that process, it'll help you increase your wealth throughout your life.
6. Self-directed 401(k)
Do you notice the term self-directed? That's not an accident — it's a special type of 401(k) plan that allows you to build wealth much more quickly.
Being self-employed, I was able to set up a self-directed 401(k) plan for myself and my wife that enables us to make tax-deductible contributions of $110,000 per year. This is clearly not a typical 401(k) plan, like the one your employer offers.
The large contribution amount will give you a great big tax deduction. And it also provides an opportunity to earn tax-deferred income on a very large plan balance.
But the self-directed aspect of the account is one of the biggest advantages. You can open a self-directed 401(k) plan with a large investment broker, and have virtually unlimited investment options. Stocks, bonds, mutual funds, exchange traded funds, real estate investment trusts, options, commodities — you name it — you can hold it in a self-directed 401(k) plan.
It goes even farther than that. Self-directed 401(k)s are how wealthy people are able to invest their retirement money in unconventional investments, like private equity deals, real estate, and even small business ventures.
If you have a significant amount of self-employed income, this is an account you need to have. It may be the single best wealth-building investment plan available.
7. Regular investing account
This can be an individual or joint investment account. We're not concerned about tax-sheltered investing here – that's covered by some of the accounts above. This is more of a catch-all account where you can invest above and beyond the other account types.
You can use this account to invest anyway you like. For example, you can use it to invest in individual stocks, bonds, options, real estate investment trusts. It's completely up to you.
Once again, there are advantages to this type of investing. But the purpose may be for a medium-term goal, providing you with capital for a future purpose, without needing to liquidate your retirement savings early.
There's also something unique about this type of account. I've seen multimillionaires who still maintain the account, mainly to use it as play money!
What do I mean by play money?
Maybe you want to get into day trading, options, dabbling in cryptocurrencies, or even shorting stocks or options. A regular investment account is where you'll do this. It's play money because your long-term financial survival doesn't rest on this account. You're free to do whatever you want with it.
The rest of your accounts are set up to provide predictable, long-term growth. But this is the account where you can "scratch an itch." That might be participating in a type of investing you find interesting, challenging, or stimulating. It might just be something you've heard about and want to try. This is the account to do it in.
This type of investing is more risky and hands-on than everything else we've discussed up to this point. And for that reason, it should be only a small percentage of your total investment portfolio. You're playing here, so if it doesn't work out your overall financial security won't be affected. That's another reason why I'm referring to it as play money.
The truth is, investing can (and should) be kind of boring. But this is the type of account where you can spice things up a bit and have some fun. And in the process, you may even learn a few things about investing you didn't before.
All these accounts are working toward your financial goal
This is the whole purpose for having seven types of accounts. Though each is different from the others, it serves an important purpose in the grand scheme of things, which is to help you achieve your financial goals.
For example, maybe you hope to retire at 45. Each of these individual account types should be set up in a way that will move you in that direction.
Even if you don't have all these accounts set up right now, don't sweat it. Investing is a work-in-progress, and you can add one account at a time. Get comfortable with one type, then move on to another. As you add new accounts, try to make it fun. Yes, investing can be boring, but watching your wealth grow is anything but.
SmartAsset's free tool can help find a financial adviser to create your own wealth-building plan »
Jeff Rose is an entrepreneur disguised as a certified financial planner, author and blogger. Jeff is an Iraqi combat veteran having served in the Army National Guard for nine years, including a 17-month deployment to Iraq in 2005. He's best known for his award-winning blog GoodFinancialCents.com and book, "Soldier of Finance: Take Charge of Your Money and Invest in Your Future." He's also the founder of Wealth Hacker Labs, a movement to teach accelerated wealth-building strategies to future generations.
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