6 beauty hacks that won't break the bank
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!