Witch hazel
Well-known for its antibacterial properties, witch hazel can be used to treat insect bites, cuts and bruises. In fact, the soothing astringent as also an effective skincare treatment that can help clear up spots, shrink under-eye bags and can even be used as a cleanser and toner. You can find it at most chemists and it’s inexpensive too. With such a wide range of uses, witch hazel is almost as magical as its name suggests!
Olive oil
Long before people started using it as a salad dressing, olive oil has been used to:
- Moisturise the skin
- Remove make-up
- Treat hair (carefully warm in the microwave, apply to dry hair and leave for 30 minutes wrapped in a towel before rinsing and shampooing as usual).
Get fruity
Cut a lemon in half and use it to whiten the tips of your nails and soften your cuticles (first make sure you don’t have any cuts on your fingers – ouch!). Half an orange can be rubbed on your elbows and knees to soften the skin. A great way to use up left over fruit you’ve sliced up to put in drinks or use in recipes – or an even better excuse to make yourself a cocktail to drink.
Petroleum jelly (Vaseline)
A multi-purpose face saver for those who prefer the natural look, this can be slicked onto lips like a gloss and dabbed onto brow lines, eyelids and cheekbones for subtle sheen and definition. You can also use it:
- To tame unruly eyebrows
- Around your hairline when dyeing hair as home to protect your skin from staining
- On your elbows, knees and ankles when self-tanning to prevent these dry areas going too dark
So many beauty tricks in one little pot!
Budget toothpaste
Replace expensive spot creams with a cheap own-brand toothpaste. As well as helping to reduce spots, you can also use it to shine your nails and soothe burns and insect bites.
Care for your hair
If your hair’s tangled – and especially if it’s wet – never drag a comb or brush through it as you’ll cause it to break. Instead, hold a handful at a time and gently comb from the middle to the ends, then from the roots to the middle.
Hide your roots
Hair appointment overdue? Disguise regrowth by parting your hair in a zigzag to break up the lines. If your do’s looking flat, simply part on the opposite side than usual to add some instant root lift.
No time to wash your hair?
Banish greasy roots and add lift with baby powder – women have been using this since long before spray-in dry shampoo was invented! Shake a little onto your fingers then massage into your roots. The powder will absorb the grease and add texture, but be careful not to add too much.
Rag-roll your hair
A simple way to create natural-looking curls without using curling tongs – all you need are some strips of scrap fabric. See this tutorial with pictures: www.abeautifulmess.com/2011/07/diy-curls-how-to-rag-roll-your-hair-.html
If you know any more thrifty beauty or style tips, post them on our Facebook page and I’ll include them in a future article.
