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6 beauty hacks that won't break the bank

6 beauty hacks that won't break the bank

Bonus: you can find these super fixes in every desi household!
Updated 18 Nov, 2015

Even beauty and skincare products have some unsung heroes in their midst.

Some of them, or perhaps most, aren't even recognized as traditional beauty products. You'll find them in the kitchen or around your house. We know sugar and salt are great for homemade scrubs, whereas milk and olive oil are famous for their moisturizing qualities. Some of the best solutions are found at home, and here are a few that are sure to be close at hand.

1. Listerine: Not just for fresh breath

No one in this world, absolutely no one, likes acne. Acne-free life is bliss.

For the less fortunate, be they young or adult, acne is a reality which needs to be dealt with. I am sure we all have our favorite acne medicine or cream, but did you know that unflavored mouthwash can be quite effective too?

Best to avoid the flavoured ones!
Best to avoid the flavoured ones!

It not only deals with facial acne but also stubborn body acne that pops up after waxing. The alcohol in the mouthwash kills germs, making it a quick-fix for pimples.

However, this treatment should only be used from time to time rather than on a daily basis.

Flavored mouthwash is not preferable — it might cause a skin reaction.

2. Scotch Tape: For eye make-up on fleek

Every girl wants her liner and eye shadow to look perfect. Some are blessed with precision, others, not so much.

Shaky hands got nothing on good ol' scotch tape —Photo courtesy: www.stylecraze.com
Shaky hands got nothing on good ol' scotch tape —Photo courtesy: www.stylecraze.com

If you're having trouble lining your eyes or blending multiple eye shadows to get that dusky look (without dusting your under eyes with powder too), grab clear scotch tape and line it under your eyes to avoid extra shadow spill. This will also lead to perfect liner, guaranteed.

3. Aspirin: For exfoliation

It’s a headache dealing with ingrown hair. Silky smooth skin, however, is not a myth.

You can use aspirin to get rid of ingrowns by mixing it with some water to make a milky consistency and spraying it on your skin. Follow up with gentle scrubbing or brushing to get rid of the top layer of dead skin.

Who knew this over-the-counter drug moonlights as a holy grail beauty product? —Photo courtesy: vkool.com
Who knew this over-the-counter drug moonlights as a holy grail beauty product? —Photo courtesy: vkool.com

The aspirin formula can be made more potent with the use of clinical alcohol but that's not recommended.

This method basically exfoliates the top skin so don’t forget to moisturize and use SPF later as your skin will get supersensitive.

4. Starch spray: Your antidote to oily tresses

Did you run out of your trusty dry shampoo and have to rush to an important meeting?

Fret not, for you can always use the starch spray from your laundry room! This is a good substitute, since one of the main components of dry shampoo is starch.

Make sure not to hold the can too close to your hair. —Photo courtesy: www.alibaba.com
Make sure not to hold the can too close to your hair. —Photo courtesy: www.alibaba.com

Hold the can six to eight inches away from your hair and spray the oilier areas to make your hair appear fresh again.

But if you're also out of starch spray, then... oops!

5. Vinegar: A skin toner in a pinch

Apple cider vinegar isn't just a healthy, zesty addition to your salad. It can also double as a toner, which is cheap in price, but not in effectiveness.

Dab some apple cider vinegar on your face, avoiding the eyes, and feel your skin tighten instantly.

Drinking a spoon of apple cider vinegar everyday has also proven to be beneficial for health —Photo courtesy: hellonatural.co
Drinking a spoon of apple cider vinegar everyday has also proven to be beneficial for health —Photo courtesy: hellonatural.co

Bonus points for apple cider vinegar because it not only tones, but also helps reduce acne, oily skin and wrinkles.

Make sure you try this at night, though; you don’t want to smell like a sour candy in public!

6. Baking soda: For a 1000 watt smile

This is an honorable mention because most people know that baking soda can work wonders in multiple ways, especially DIY teeth whitening at home.

No need to drop absurd amounts of money getting whitening done at the dentist's office anymore!  —Photo courtesy: dmatxi.com
No need to drop absurd amounts of money getting whitening done at the dentist's office anymore! —Photo courtesy: dmatxi.com

For natural cleaning, mix some baking soda in lemon juice to make a paste, apply to your teeth and leave for 5 minutes. Wash off and see the difference!

Comments

Not so pretty Nov 18, 2015 05:57pm
omg I love this! I am a bit scared to try the listerine. Because Im not sure how often i should use it. But will definitely use the apple cider vinegar and aspirin.
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Maata Nov 18, 2015 08:27pm
@Not so pretty do let us know then.
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Mehak Nov 18, 2015 10:35pm
Amazing.
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Mehak Nov 18, 2015 10:36pm
A good piece of information,
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saba Nov 18, 2015 11:34pm
whoever wrote this have they even tried it on themselves? also the pimples which pop up after waxing are NOT acne okay this makes me so mad
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omg Nov 19, 2015 07:54am
The scots tape idea is a big NO NO. Do you know what happens when you take off the scotch tape from the delicate eyelid area? You got it- pulling of the lid leading to wrinkles. This area is very sensitive and needs to be handled with care.
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sana-1 Nov 19, 2015 09:23am
Pretty good tips, I will try them.
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Afsana Nov 23, 2015 11:23pm
Wow....good article
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Afsana Nov 23, 2015 11:24pm
I'm sick of this acne stuff on my face
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Afsana Nov 23, 2015 11:24pm
I hope these things would be useful
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