BY CLAIRE WILLIAMS
In
a hurry and out of your favorite beauty products? Take a closer look around
your home because you may have all sorts of household items that can also serve
double duty in your beauty regimen. We love beauty hacks that involve very
little effort, and these household tricks definitely fit the bill.
a hurry and out of your favorite beauty products? Take a closer look around
your home because you may have all sorts of household items that can also serve
double duty in your beauty regimen. We love beauty hacks that involve very
little effort, and these household tricks definitely fit the bill.
Salt
Salt
is one of those household items with a bevy of uses besides at your dining
table. From soothing a sore throat to scrubbing away dry skin, salt can be used
in a variety of ways. If you plan to use salt on your skin, it’s best that you
use salts that haven’t been processed to remove beneficial minerals. Examples
of good salts to use include sea salts, Epsom salts, or Himalayan salts, which
all have trace minerals that are good for your skin. Our favorite use for salt
comes courtesy of Ipsy founder Michelle Phan, who offers a great recipe to make
your own sea salt spray for that beachy hair texture.
is one of those household items with a bevy of uses besides at your dining
table. From soothing a sore throat to scrubbing away dry skin, salt can be used
in a variety of ways. If you plan to use salt on your skin, it’s best that you
use salts that haven’t been processed to remove beneficial minerals. Examples
of good salts to use include sea salts, Epsom salts, or Himalayan salts, which
all have trace minerals that are good for your skin. Our favorite use for salt
comes courtesy of Ipsy founder Michelle Phan, who offers a great recipe to make
your own sea salt spray for that beachy hair texture.
Baking soda
Just
like salt, baking soda has dozens of potential uses around the home and in your
beauty routine. Use it to relieve sunburn or insect bites by making a paste
with water. Make a paste with hydrogen peroxide instead, and you have a natural
teeth-whitener. Are you stumped on how to get ugly sweat stains out of your
favorite shirts? Try baking soda! A paste of baking soda and warm water can be
spread directly onto perspiration stains and be left there for 30 minutes
before rinsing and washing as normal. You can use this same stain-fighting
power to brighten and remove yellow stains from your fingernails, too.
like salt, baking soda has dozens of potential uses around the home and in your
beauty routine. Use it to relieve sunburn or insect bites by making a paste
with water. Make a paste with hydrogen peroxide instead, and you have a natural
teeth-whitener. Are you stumped on how to get ugly sweat stains out of your
favorite shirts? Try baking soda! A paste of baking soda and warm water can be
spread directly onto perspiration stains and be left there for 30 minutes
before rinsing and washing as normal. You can use this same stain-fighting
power to brighten and remove yellow stains from your fingernails, too.
Dryer sheets
Dryer
sheets aren’t just for making your clothes smell fresh and preventing wrinkles.
They actually combat static by releasing positively-charged particles which
neutralize the electrical charge. While the tumbling motion of the dryer
accelerates that release, you can use the same concept to combat static outside
of the laundry room. Rub the dryer sheet vigorously against your hairbrush or
comb before brushing your hair to tame static flyaways. You can also just rub
the sheet gently down the length of your hair for a similar effect. This trick
works on clothes you’re wearing, too — just rub a dryer sheet on your clinging
skirt or blouse to get rid of the static.
sheets aren’t just for making your clothes smell fresh and preventing wrinkles.
They actually combat static by releasing positively-charged particles which
neutralize the electrical charge. While the tumbling motion of the dryer
accelerates that release, you can use the same concept to combat static outside
of the laundry room. Rub the dryer sheet vigorously against your hairbrush or
comb before brushing your hair to tame static flyaways. You can also just rub
the sheet gently down the length of your hair for a similar effect. This trick
works on clothes you’re wearing, too — just rub a dryer sheet on your clinging
skirt or blouse to get rid of the static.
Botanical oils
Much
like salt and baking soda, olive oil and other botanical oils aren’t only
useful for dining. You can use certain oils to cleanse your face instead of
using harsh soaps or cleansers that strip your skin. The oil cleansing method
uses the natural properties of oils to clear your skin of impurities. According
to dermatologic surgeon Dr. Ariel Ostad, the botanical oil will freely mix with
the natural oils of your skin as well as “those from makeup and other
products. When you rinse it all off, the ‘good oil’ takes those ‘bad oils’ and
dirt along with it.” Popular oils used in this method include olive oil,
grapeseed oil, avocado oil, and a variety of others. You may want to avoid
using coconut oil, however. According to Dr. Josie Tenore, “For some
people, coconut oil can be an effective moisturizer that absorbs fairly well
into the skin, providing light to moderate hydration and softening in one
quick, inexpensive step. But coconut oil is also comedogenic, which means it
can cause clogged pores, pimples, blackheads, or whiteheads.” Naturally,
the type of oil you use for cleansing will depend on your individual skin
issues and sensitivities, so be sure to do some research first on the benefits
and drawbacks of various botanicals before you start using the oil cleansing
method.
like salt and baking soda, olive oil and other botanical oils aren’t only
useful for dining. You can use certain oils to cleanse your face instead of
using harsh soaps or cleansers that strip your skin. The oil cleansing method
uses the natural properties of oils to clear your skin of impurities. According
to dermatologic surgeon Dr. Ariel Ostad, the botanical oil will freely mix with
the natural oils of your skin as well as “those from makeup and other
products. When you rinse it all off, the ‘good oil’ takes those ‘bad oils’ and
dirt along with it.” Popular oils used in this method include olive oil,
grapeseed oil, avocado oil, and a variety of others. You may want to avoid
using coconut oil, however. According to Dr. Josie Tenore, “For some
people, coconut oil can be an effective moisturizer that absorbs fairly well
into the skin, providing light to moderate hydration and softening in one
quick, inexpensive step. But coconut oil is also comedogenic, which means it
can cause clogged pores, pimples, blackheads, or whiteheads.” Naturally,
the type of oil you use for cleansing will depend on your individual skin
issues and sensitivities, so be sure to do some research first on the benefits
and drawbacks of various botanicals before you start using the oil cleansing
method.
Coffee filters
Let’s
talk about unwanted oil — on your eyelids, in your T-zone — and how to combat
it. If you start using the oil cleansing method, you may find your skin starts
to produce less oil than it used to, but if you still find yourself combating
shine in all the wrong places, try a coffee filter! Paper coffee filters are
designed to trap naturally-occurring oily substances in your coffee called
diterpenes, which can cause elevated cholesterol. What works in your coffee
machine will also work on your face. Cut up a coffee filter and use the pieces
like a blotting paper on your face to remove shine from your nose, forehead, or
other problem areas.
talk about unwanted oil — on your eyelids, in your T-zone — and how to combat
it. If you start using the oil cleansing method, you may find your skin starts
to produce less oil than it used to, but if you still find yourself combating
shine in all the wrong places, try a coffee filter! Paper coffee filters are
designed to trap naturally-occurring oily substances in your coffee called
diterpenes, which can cause elevated cholesterol. What works in your coffee
machine will also work on your face. Cut up a coffee filter and use the pieces
like a blotting paper on your face to remove shine from your nose, forehead, or
other problem areas.
Scotch tape
If
you are an eye makeup aficionado, you probably already know these tricks — but
if you don’t, prepare to be amazed. Do you struggle with drawing the perfect
winged eyeliner every day? Scotch tape works as a perfect guide for a shaky
hand when you carefully place a piece of tape next to the corner of your eye.
Has eyeshadow (or worse: glitter) fallout got you down? Never fear, tape is
here! Use a piece of transparent tape to gently press against unwanted color or
sparkles on your cheeks, then lift away to take the offending fallout with it —
with no smears!
you are an eye makeup aficionado, you probably already know these tricks — but
if you don’t, prepare to be amazed. Do you struggle with drawing the perfect
winged eyeliner every day? Scotch tape works as a perfect guide for a shaky
hand when you carefully place a piece of tape next to the corner of your eye.
Has eyeshadow (or worse: glitter) fallout got you down? Never fear, tape is
here! Use a piece of transparent tape to gently press against unwanted color or
sparkles on your cheeks, then lift away to take the offending fallout with it —
with no smears!
A spoon
That’s
right, a simple spoon may be your most versatile household beauty tool. Ipsy
creator Michelle Phan has quite a list of ways to use a spoon in your beauty
routine. Put a spoon in the refrigerator and let it chill, then use the cold
bowl of the spoon to soothe tired and puffy eyes. Place a spoon over your
eyelid to protect your skin as you apply mascara. This trick allows you to
press more firmly with the wand and apply the mascara all the way to the root
of your lashes — without fear of smearing the stuff all over your eyelid. You
can even use a spoon to help you contour, curl your lashes, or apply liquid
eyeliner.
right, a simple spoon may be your most versatile household beauty tool. Ipsy
creator Michelle Phan has quite a list of ways to use a spoon in your beauty
routine. Put a spoon in the refrigerator and let it chill, then use the cold
bowl of the spoon to soothe tired and puffy eyes. Place a spoon over your
eyelid to protect your skin as you apply mascara. This trick allows you to
press more firmly with the wand and apply the mascara all the way to the root
of your lashes — without fear of smearing the stuff all over your eyelid. You
can even use a spoon to help you contour, curl your lashes, or apply liquid
eyeliner.
Oatmeal
If
you’ve got an itch, oatmeal has the cure. Whether you suffer from an itchy
sunburn, bug bites, eczema, or other skin condition, or maybe you just have dry
skin — oatmeal can bring you some much-needed relief. Even the ancient Romans
knew that oats have beneficial properties that are good for your skin. While
the species most commonly used in skin care and itch treatment is called
colloidal oatmeal, regular food-grade oatmeal meant for your breakfast or
baking will work, too. Obviously, don’t use anything that has flavorings added
to it, like instant oatmeal packets. Grind up your oatmeal in a blender for a
few moments before adding it to a warm bath for all-over itch relief.
Avenanthramides and phenols — chemicals in oatmeal — have anti-inflammatory properties
which means that an oatmeal poultice will also work wonders on poison ivy or a
nasty bug bite.
you’ve got an itch, oatmeal has the cure. Whether you suffer from an itchy
sunburn, bug bites, eczema, or other skin condition, or maybe you just have dry
skin — oatmeal can bring you some much-needed relief. Even the ancient Romans
knew that oats have beneficial properties that are good for your skin. While
the species most commonly used in skin care and itch treatment is called
colloidal oatmeal, regular food-grade oatmeal meant for your breakfast or
baking will work, too. Obviously, don’t use anything that has flavorings added
to it, like instant oatmeal packets. Grind up your oatmeal in a blender for a
few moments before adding it to a warm bath for all-over itch relief.
Avenanthramides and phenols — chemicals in oatmeal — have anti-inflammatory properties
which means that an oatmeal poultice will also work wonders on poison ivy or a
nasty bug bite.
SOURCE: THELIST
Kayode Emmanuel Ojo is the Co-Founder and Managing Director at SHEFFA Limited. He is presently studying Computer Science at the National Open University, Victoria Island, Lagos.