The health and beauty industry is always booming, making over $90 billion a year thanks to an endless wave of products. We are always looking for Beauty Hacks and Makeup Tricks to make our skin brighter or our teeth whiter, but that means constantly spending money on the latest fad to hit the shelves.
What if we told you that you can achieve great results by simply getting inventive with household products like Starbucks coffee or Colgate toothpaste? The following hacks might seem a little crazy, but they could save you some precious dollars.
1. Baby Powder for Longer Lashes
Products Needed: Baby powder, cotton buds, mascara
What it Does: Lengthens lashes
Cost: $2*
Everyone wants to have long, luscious lashes that look full and plump, but with new mascaras coming out every day it can be difficult to know which one to buy. More often than not, the end result doesn’t look like the advertisement anyway. There’s a hack for this, too.
2. Bra Insert for Applying Makeup
Products Needed: Bra inserts
What it Does: Acts as a beauty blender
Cost: $3*
Beauty blenders have been all the rage for quite some time now, but that doesn’t stop savvy makeup lovers from trying to find new ways to serve face. A while ago, silicone blenders became popular, but then someone discovered that bra inserts (from$1.9) do exactly the same job.
If you’ve already got one of these at home then this will cost you nothing. You simply use the insert in the same way you would a blender to apply your makeup. The upside? Unlike a sponge, the silicone won’t absorb a ton of your product, meaning your foundation will ultimately last longer and you won’t have to buy new ones as often.
3. Aspirin for Blemishes
Products Needed: Aspirin and water
What it Does: Removes blemishes for clear skin
Cost: $1*
Aspirin doesn’t cost a lot of money, but did you know that it has tons of other uses? It’s not just a simple painkiller. Some beauty moguls swear by grinding Aspirin down into a paste and mixing it with water, before applying it as a face mask. So, how does it work?
The compounds contained in the tablets are similar to those found in leading beauty products. The mask can reportedly help combat acne, tighten wrinkles, and even help soothe irritated skin. Considering it’s much cheaper than buying a top-of-the-line mask, this one could be worth a try.
4. Vaseline for All-Day Scent
Products Needed: Vaseline, perfume or cologne
What it Does: Holds the scent for longer
Cost: $2*
Have you ever shelled out a small fortune for a perfume or cologne that you really love, only to get annoyed when you can’t smell it by midday? Even the most expensive perfumes don’t always last until you leave the office, but don’t worry – there’s a hack for this, too.
According to thrifty experts, you don’t need to spend more money on a different perfume, just put a thin layer of Vaseline on your wrists and neck before spraying the scent. The vaseline will hold it, making it last much longer. The best part? A tub costs less than $2 at Target.
5. Deodorant for Blisters…Or Servants
Products Needed: Roll on or spray-on deodorant/servants
What it Does: Creates a barrier to stop rubbing
Cost: $3*
Not only can deodorant be used on certain areas to stop chafing but it can also be used on the feet to stop shoes or sandals from rubbing and causing blisters. Just either spray your feet or apply some roll-on deodorant and away you go to enjoy a pain-free day.
Deoderant for Blisters @purewow / Pinterest.com
Or, you could take a leaf out of Queen Elizabeth’s book. The Queen reportedly hands her new shoes over to a servant to wear for a few days to soften them. By the time they’re given back, they’re comfortable to wear.
6. Foil for Teeth Whitening
Products Needed: Aluminium foil, baking soda, salt
What it Does: Whitens teeth
Cost: $3*
Let’s face it, we all want whiter teeth, but how many of us can actually afford to buy the costly products that actually work? There are plenty of hacks out there that supposedly help to whiten teeth, including this one that only requires foil, baking soda, and salt.
Foil for Teeth Whitening @mamabeeblog / Pinterest.com ©/
According to some sources, mixing baking soda with salt and water to form a paste, applying that to teeth, and then wrapping the teeth in foil can help you get that Hollywood smile. While the results certainly look decent if some blogs are to be believed, there are those that say it’s not the healthiest way to get pearly whites.
7. Toothpaste for Bright Nails
Products Needed: Toothpaste
What it Does: Brightens nails
Cost: $2*
In case you haven’t guessed, toothpaste can be used for all sorts of things when it comes to beauty. Some put it on blemishes, some use it as lip gloss – others use it to brighten their fingernails. Kiss goodbye to costly cuticle oil and hello to minty fresh wizardry.
Toothpaste for Bright Nails @elsierabalais / Pinterest.com
All you have to do is take an old toothbrush and give your nails a scrub with toothpaste. Or, if you’ve got particularly sensitive skin, rubbing it in with your fingers does the trick, too. Leave it for a few minutes and wipe it off to reveal bright, healthy-looking nails.
8. Coffee Grounds for Exfoliation
Products Needed: Old coffee grounds
What it Does: Exfoliates skin
Cost: Free
It’s no secret that Americans consume a lot of coffee. In fact, nearly every nation in the world loves a steaming cup of Joe, which is why used coffee grounds are easy to come by. Next time you make a pot, don’t be so quick to throw out the grounds. Instead, keep them.
Coffee Grounds for Exfoilating @brolonga / @shopify / Pinterest.com
Coffee grounds make for an excellent exfoliator. Not only are they the perfect texture to get rid of the layers of skin, but the caffeine also has plenty of antioxidants to benefit the skin. It doesn’t matter if you use Starbucks or Kroger’s own! Some people swear by this hack, saying it’s much better than any expensive facial.
9. Beer for Shiny Hair
Products Needed: A bottle/can of beer
What it Does: When used as a hair rinse it clarifies
Cost: $5*
The last thing most of us think about when we buy a 6-pack of beer is washing our hair with it, but maybe we need to reconsider. Yes, beer is great for drinking – but it’s also great for clarifying the hair, too. What’s more, it’s not a difficult process to wrap your head around.
Beer for Shiny Hair @valval282722 / Pinterest.com
Beer can get you tipsy, but it’s also full of nutrients that can inject much-needed moisture into the hair to make it shiny and luscious. So, next time you’ve got one Budweiser left in the fridge, you may want to weigh up the options. Would it be better in a glass, or in the shower?
10. PVA Glue for Blackhead Removal
Products Needed: PVA glue
What it Does: Acts as a DIY blackhead remover
Cost: $1*
PVA glue isn’t the first thing that most of us would want to put on our faces, but according to some beauty bloggers, we’re missing a trick. A few years ago, blackhead removal masks became popular. These sticky creams dry on the skin before being peeled off, taking all sorts of nasty directly out of your skin with it.
PVA Glue for Blackhead Removal @glamourmag / Pinterest.com
These masks don’t cost a lot of money to buy, however, some say that PVA glue works just as well. While we can’t attest to the effectiveness of this, if it’s as good as some Instagrammers say it is, it could be a very cheap and worthwhile addition to your beauty routine!
11. Red Lipstick for Eyebags
Products Needed: Bright red lipstick, any brand
What it Does: Color cancels dark circles
Cost: $5*
Whether you’re male or female, you’ll know the pain of waking up after a restless night and looking like you’ve been dragged through a hedge backward thanks to the big bags under your eyes. Concealer doesn’t always do a great job covering it, but another common makeup item could.
Red Lipstick for Eye Bags @5minutecraftsfamily / Pinterest.com
All you need is a bright red lipstick from somewhere like Target or Sephora. It doesn’t need to be an expensive one. Use it underneath your eyes like concealer and you’ll look ready for the day in no time at all. The pigment in the lipstick cancels out the dark more effectively than standard concealer, , making for a cheap alternative.
12. Mayonnaise for Shiny Hair
Products Needed: Mayonnaise, wide-tooth comb, shower cap
What it Does: Hair mask to make hair shiny
Cost: $3*
The very thought of using mayonnaise as a shampoo might be enough to turn some people off, but those that try this hack usually love it. You’ll need a big tub of mayo, a wide-tooth comb, and a shower cap to complete this particular DIY hack.
Mayonnaise for Shiny Hair @bustledotcom / Pinterest.com
Slather the mayonnaise all over your hair like you’re created a pastrami sandwich. Rub it in, comb it through, and then put the shower cap on and leave it to rest for 20 minutes. Rinse it out, and then your hair should be the picture of health. The hack even has celebrity endorsements. If millionaires are using it, then it must be special.
13. Floss Picks for Pores
Products Needed: Two floss picks
What it Does: Cleans pores
Cost: $2*
Pore strips can cost a few dollars if you go for a decent brand, but why do that when you could get the same effect by using something you’ve probably already got at home? One beauty blogger made waves when she unleashed this hack onto the world in 2017.
Floss Sticks @kidsdentalsmile/@glamour
Simply use a hot towel on your skin for five minutes to get the pores nice and open, before taking two disposable floss picks and scraping them over your skin in tandem. You’ll be surprised at all the junk that comes flying out of your skin. If you don’t have floss picks, you can get a bag on Amazon for next to nothing.
14. Baby Powder for Sticky Sand
Products Needed: Baby powder
What it Does: Helps easily remove sand
Cost: $5*
Beach days are great fun for all the family, but there’s one thing most of us dread: getting dressed when it’s time to go home. If you normally spend an age sitting on your towel, trying to remove clingy, scratchy sand from your skin, then this hack is for you. All you need is baby powder.
Baby Powder @inquirer
Believe it or not, baby powder from stores like Kroger dries the sand and makes it easy to brush off in a heartbeat. As an added bonus, skin feels silky smooth and smells just like a newborn baby, which is a nice little extra.
15. Fork for Perfect Contour
Products Needed: A metal or plastic fork
What it Does: Provides a guide for contour
Cost: $1/free*
Let’s face it, most of us have a fork lying around at home, so this hack is basically completely free. If you’ve spent years trying to master the art of contouring but have always found it difficult, then you might just need to take a trip to your kitchen.
Fork for Perfect Contour @makeuphousehold / Instagram.com
If you place the fork on your nose, it acts as a guideline so you know exactly where to put the highlight (in the middle) and the shade (either side). It might seem like a bizarre thing to do with a fork, but as long as you clean it afterward, who’s going to know? Some make up artists spend thousands of dollars learning how to properly contour, so this is an extra-cheap alternative.
16. Spoons for Puffy Eyes
Products Needed: Two cold spoons
What it Does: Reduces swelling
Cost: Free
There’s a 99.9% chance you’ve got two spoons lying in your cutlery drawer, waiting to be pulled out at breakfast time. However, you might want to think about taking two of them and allocating them for an altogether different purpose. Putting two spoons in the freezer could be hugely beneficial further down the line.
Spoons @pinterest/@etsy
If you eat some bad seafood, suffer particularly with hayfever, or need to quieten your skin after a good cry session, then cold spoons are invaluable. The cold metal instantly soothes skin and can help restore brightness and eliminate puffiness. Gua sha can do a similar job, but do you really want to shell out $10 on Amazon when you’ve got something at home?
17. Dryer Sheet for Hair Static
Products Needed: Dryer sheet, hairbrush
What it Does: Eliminates static
Cost: $3*
If you’ve got a dryer the chances are that you’ve got dryer sheets lurking around in the pantry, but if you don’t, don’t panic. You can pick them up for just a couple of bucks at stores like Walmart – and you’ll be glad you did. If you’ve got long hair, you’ll know how irritating it is when static comes to town.
Hairbrush for static @missginadarling/Twitter
There’s nothing worse than feeling like you’ve put your finger in a socket, but dryer sheets can help remedy this. They’re specially designed to take the static out of clothes in the dryer, so all you need to do is stick one on top of your hairbrush and brush your hair. You’ll be grounded in a hot second.
18. Banana Peel for Teeth Whitening
Products Needed: Banana peel
What it Does: Whitens teeth
Cost: $1*
When it comes to DIY hacks, there are thousands of remedies out there that supposedly give you a glowing smile. This one relies solely on a banana peel. Fans of this method say that the inside of the peel when rubbed on the teeth and left for a few minutes has a whitening effect.
Banana Peel for Teeth Whitening @wikihow / Pinterest.com
As the peel is full of magnesium and potassium, it’s thought that they benefit the teeth and help turn your gnashers into a grin Julia Roberts herself would envy. As an added bonus, bananas are cheap to buy and tasty to eat, so there’s really no reason not to try it! Getting your teeth professionally whitened can cost hundreds, so what are you waiting for?
19. Turmeric Face Mask
Products Needed: Turmeric and water
What it Does: Brightens skin
Cost: $1*
Over the past few years, turmeric has been experiencing somewhat of an image makeover. The health benefits of the spice are becoming more and more apparent, with beauty bloggers taking to their YouTube channels and Insta stories to attest to just how great it is.
Turmeric Face Mask ©POLIGOONE / Shutterstock.com
We know eating it is great, but did you know that the orange powerhouse is also a great face mask? Mixing turmeric into a paste can help to reduce hyperpigmentation, skin irritation, reduce wrinkles, and even reduce swelling. Be warned though – don’t leave it on for too long or you might be stained orange.
20. Baking Soda To Brighten Grey Hair
Products Needed: Regular baking soda
What It Does: Brightens hair
Cost: $2*
Grey hair is beautiful, there are no two ways about it. More and more people are embracing their silver strands than ever before, but it can look dull if not cared after properly. To make your silver hair pop, try mixing baking soda with conditioner and leaving it on for two minutes as a hair mask.
The baking soda will help brighten up the color, making the luscious locks pop in a way that they might not have before. Just be careful, as baking soda can also be damaging to the skin. Be sure to use gloves and avoid putting it directly onto your scalp.
©waewkid / Shutterstock.com
21. Toothpaste for Lip Gloss
Products Needed: Toothpaste
What it Does: Brightens lips
Cost: $2*
If you’re ever caught out without lip balm or lip gloss it’s not the end of the world, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t something you can do to remedy the situation. If you can find a bathroom that has toothpaste in it, then you’re just a pout away from luscious lips.
Toothpaste Lipgloss @BonSlime/YouTube/@shutterstock
It could be Walmart’s own brand or Colgate, it doesn’t matter. Just pucker up and rub a thin layer over your lips. The mint will help plump your lips, while also giving them a nice healthy shine. Soon, you’ll be ditching the gloss altogether.
22. Potato for Bright Underarms
Products Needed: Raw potatoes
What it Does: Brightens dark underarms
Cost: $1*
Potatoes are wonderful things. You can use them to make fries, mashed potatoes, or even to paint with. You can also use them to brighten up dark underarms, but not many people know that. Simply grate some up and scrub your armpits with them.
Potato for Bright Underarms @positivemed / Pinterest.com
It doesn’t sound like a good time and it might feel a little strange, but the starch in the potato helps to give your dark pits a new lease of life. If you’re planning a trip to the beach or want to wear a strapless dress, this might be the hack for you.
23. Tea Bags for Shoe Freshness
Products Needed: New teabags
What it Does: Absorbs smells
Cost: $1*
Have you had a box of teabags in the cupboard for ages but just don’t know what to do with them? Look no further. Everyone has a cupboard full of stinky shoes, but don’t waste your money on fancy odor-destroying products when you’ve already got a bunch in your kitchen.
Tea Bags for Shoe Freshness @hilayoseph / Pinterest.com
Sticking tea bags into shoes and leaving them overnight supposedly helps them stop smelling. The teabags – even herbal ones – absorb the smells and should leave your footwear noticeably fresher the next day. Considering how cheap and cheerful this hack is, it’s worth a try! Plus, you’ll be using up old tea instead of throwing it away, which is a shrewd financial move.
24. Saran Wrap Feet Mask
Products Needed: Saran wrap, olive oil, tape
What it Does: Moisturizes feet
Cost: $5*
You can pay a fortune for a specialized pedicure or a fancy foot mask, but why do that when you can raid the kitchen cupboards for free? If the skin on your feet is feeling a little tough and in need of some TLC, gather up some saran wrap, olive oil, and tape.
Saran Wrap @Wonderhowto.com
Smother your tootsies in olive oil as if you’re basting a chicken and quickly wrap them in saran wrap, using tape to secure it. Leave it on overnight and when you take them off the next day you’ll have silky smooth feet that feel just as soft as the day you were born.
25. Tape for Blister Prevention
Products Needed: Thick electrical tape
What it Does: Prevents blisters
Cost: $3*
Tape is a wonderful invention that doesn’t get enough credit. We wrap presents with it, stick broken stuff back together with it, and in this case, we can even use it to protect our feet. Hikers know this particular hack well, but if you’re new to the world of walking then take note.
Duct Tape @gardeningknowhow.com
Wrapping the soles of your feet with a couple of layers of tape before putting thick socks over the top can be a godsend. That way, you’re less likely to get blisters and have more padding than you would regularly. Seasoned outdoor adventurers know how important this is – and how cost-effective, too!
26. Make Hair Appear Thicker with Eyeshadow
Products Needed: Eyeshadow, brush
What it Does: Can create a faux hairline etc
Cost: $2*
Have you ever considered putting makeup in your hair? The answer to that is probably no, but maybe it’s time you did. Celebrities like Ariana Grande and Kim Kardashian might always appear to have the perfect hairline when they pull their hair back into a tight ponytail, but they could have a little help.
Make Hair Appear Thicker with Eyeshadow @Cosmopolitan / Pinterest.com
To get that fuller, thicker look, all you need to do is take a shade of eyeshadow that matches your hair and a brush. Softly apply it to your hairline in upward motions and in no time at all you’ll have a luscious-looking head of hair.
27. Face Icing to Give Skin Glow
Products Needed: Bowl of ice water
What it Does: Reduces puffiness
Cost: Free
You know what they say – the best things in life are free, and this is one of them. We’ve all woken up after a sleepless night and looked in the mirror to find a dull zombie staring back at us. Instead of immediately reaching for your makeup bag, head to the kitchen.
Face Icing to Give Skin Glow @tinachencraig / Instagram.com
Fill up a bowl with ice and water, and dunk your face in for short intervals. Not only will it reduce puffiness and give you a Miranda Cosgrove glow, but it will help wake you up and make you feel ready for the day. On the flip side, you can do as this lady does and simply roll a big old block across your face.
28. Hashtag for Perfect Smokey Look
Products Needed: Eyeliner
What it Does: Helps to create a smokey eye look
Cost: $2*
Creating the perfect smokey eyeshadow is no mean feat. Many have tried over the years and many have failed, but there could be a simple answer. Some beauty experts say that drawing a hashtag on your eyelid with eyeliner then blending it out is the ideal place to start.
Hashtag for Perfect Smokey Look @jessnicwil / Pinterest.com
While it may not give you that Kylie Jenner Insta-look, it’s certainly better than struggling with an eyeshadow brush and getting powder all over your freshly washed and prepped skin. Save yourself the pain of getting rid of dust and try this one out.
29. Apply Glue Before Nail Polish
Products Needed: PVA glue, nail polish
What it Does: Creates a base for the polish, making it last longer
Cost: $5*
Painting your nails always seems like a good idea until it starts to chip off within the hour. You can have the most careful hands in the world, but if you’re using standard polish the chances are it just won’t last. Supermarkets sell undercoats, but they don’t always work either.
Apply Glue Before Nail Polish @osagaz / Pinterest.com
However, according to some beauty fanatics, applying PVA glue to the nails before painting them makes the polish last much longer. It might seem odd to break out Elmer’s glue and start getting crafty with your nails, but what have you got to lose?
30. Save Your Mascara with Saline Solution
Products Needed: Saline solution, dry mascara
What it Does: Saves the product in the tube
Cost: $2*
Saline solutions can be used for all sorts of weird and wonderful stuff. You can clean cuts with it, clean your eyes with it, or even be used intravenously to treat illness. In short, it’s magic. Did you know that keeping a bottle in your makeup bag isn’t a bad idea, either?
Save Your Mascara with Saline Solution @kristinalstahl / Pinterest.com
Because mascara tubes often get pumped up with air when we use them, the product can dry out. Next time this happens to you, don’t be so quick to throw it out and head to the store. Instead, put a few drops of saline inside the bottle. It will give the remainder of the product a new lease of life and it’s perfectly safe to use.
