Trying out all the hottest new beauty products can get really expensive. That’s why instead of jumping on the latest fads, I’ve rounded up the most brilliant beauty hacks that use inexpensive items that you probably already have at home. Most of these beauty hacks will cost less than $10 to try and actually work!
Post contains affiliate links.
1. Use raw potato to whiten your dark underarms.
I was watching a Youtube video lately and noticed how light her underarms looked. Then, later in the video she actually revealed the hack she used. She said she had heard about it a couple years ago, but didn’t think it would work. Then, she tried it and was amazed! Don’t delay like she did and try this awesome beauty hack to lighten your underarms today. (via Elite Daily)
2. Take 8,000 mcg biotin daily for better hair, skin & nails.
I heard this beauty hack from Terry Dubrow (you may know him from Botched or Heather’s husband on RHOC). Given he is a super successful plastic surgeon, he knows what he is talking about. So, I was thrilled to not only hear him validate that biotin can improve hair & nails, but also give a recommended amount. I try to get nutrients from foods where possible, but this is such a large amount that you’ll need supplements (like these) to get enough daily. He says you should see results in about 3 weeks if taken consistently.
3. Save $35+ by using a silicone oven mitt dupe to clean your makeup brushes.
You may see some of your favorite beauty Youtubers recommending the Sigma silicone mit for cleaning your makeup brushes. But rather than pay $39, you can get a dupe for it at the dollar store! Pick up a silicone oven mitt that is just as effective and will save you over $35! (via Chrissyai)
4. Multi-masking – put different masks on different areas for combination skin.
For those of you with combination skin like me, you have problems with oil and dry skin at the same time. So, it can be tough to find a mask that works for all your skin issues. Instead of trying to find the perfect 3-in-1 mask, create your own with “multi-masking” where you can apply different specialized masks to each area of your face. (via The Beauty Department)
5. Use panty liners as a Shadow Shields dupe.
Don’t you hate it when you’ve perfectly applied your foundation and face makeup and then you go to do a smokey eye and get eyeshadow all over your cheeks? Well they invented Shadow Shields to solve just that problem. However, they had their own problem – they were way to expensive. For a MUCH cheaper solution, you can cut off the ends of a cheap panty liner. Genius!
6. Use a coffee sugar scrub to exfoliate and help fight cellulite.
Caffeine is a very underrated beauty ingredient. It can help tighten your skin and reduce the appearance of cellulite. Who doesn’t want that, right? Then, combined with an exfoliating sugar scrub, this DIY beauty recipe is cheap, easy and you can make in under 5 minutes. For more cheap & easy sugar scrub ideas, check out our post. (via Brit + Co)
7. Apply a deep conditioner to your hair before working out or laying out in the sun.
You usually wear your hair back in a braid or a bun at these times anyways, so it’s perfect. Plus, the heat from the sun or workout will help the conditioner penetrate deep into your hair strands to be extra effective. You don’t need to use an expensive hair mask here. Here is the super inexpensive one I love. (via Cosmopolitan)
8. Exfoliate chapped lips with disposable mascara wand.
Got a hot date tonight? Make sure you read this beauty hack first. To get unbelievably soft lips, you can use a disposable mascara wand and lip balm. This will exfoliate your lips and your lipstick will go on flawlessly. Don’t have a mascara wand? Check out our post on cheap & easy diy lip scrubs you can make in under 5 minutes. (via The Krazy Coupon Lady)
9. Need to shave but don’t have time to shower? Use baby oil.
We’ve all done it. You are in a huge rush and already running late. Then, you realize your legs look stubbly and you need to shave. No! So, you splash a tiny bit of water on then or even worse dry shave (cringe). You immediately regret it as you’re driving and your legs are on fire. Instead, use baby oil next time! It will leave soft, smooth legs – no shower required. (via The Krazy Coupon Lady)
Continuing on our shaving-related beauty hacks…
10. Stuck in the shower without shaving cream? Use conditioner.
As mentioned above, you can also use baby oil too, but I think the conditioner hack is especially useful when traveling. If you didn’t pack shaving cream, you can simply use the hotel conditioner as a great alternative that will leave your legs smooth. After all, vacations can be some of the most important times to have smooth, shaved legs! (via Mamabee)
11. Pull the end of a Q-tip to blend out your smokey eye.
Getting ready for a special evening event and realize you forgot your eyeshadow blending brush? Not to worry, this beauty hack will certainly come in handy. Simply pull on the end of the Q-tip until it looks a bit like cotton candy. Then, you can use it as an eyeshadow brush to create your gorgeous smokey eye look. (via Woman’s Day)
12. Add liquid chlorophyll to your water to get rid of hormonal acne.
No matter how careful you are about your skincare routine, at certain times of the month breakouts can seem inevitable. Thank you hormones! However, Kate Somerville, skin expert to the stars, shared one of her top beauty hacks for fighting hormonal acne: adding liquid chlorophyll to your water daily. Reese Witherspoon swears by it! Read more of her skincare secrets here.
13. Keep makeup wipes on nightstand next to bed.
There have been countless times after a late night out that I have whined to myself or my husband that I’m too tired to wash my face. Well, waking up with a face full of makeup on is not cute and can cause breakouts. So, compromise with your future self and plan for those lazy moments by keeping a package of face wipes on your nightstand.
14. Easy Grab & Go Lemon Ice Cubes for Lemon Water
We all know how important hydration is for your skin. Then, I have heard over and over about how drinking warm lemon water in the morning can help with digestion, clear skin, and weight loss. The problem is I am never up for juicing a lemon first thing in the morning so this habit just didn’t work for me. That is until I saw this genius hack to create lemon juice ice cubes ahead of time. This way you can boil water, add your lemon ice cubes and it is not only way easier but it creates the perfect temperature warm water to drink. (via Mama by Fire)
15. Store your eye cream in the refrigerator for extra anti-puffiness power.
This is one of the beauty hacks that Heather DuBrow from Real Housewives swears by for fighting under eye puffiness. If it’s good enough for fancy pants, we say it’s worth a try. (via Style and Cheek)
16. Spritz your face with a green tea toner to refresh dull, dry skin.
Watch Wengie’s beauty hacks video above, as she shows you how she makes a quick & easy green tea toner mist. Plus, she has 10 other beauty hacks worth sticking around for.
17. Sleep with an extra pillow to fight under eye puffiness.
The easiest way to combat puffy eyes is to prevent them from happening! You’ll be amazed at what adding an extra pillow when you sleep at night can do. It props you up so the fluids drain out of your face so you’ll wake up looking more refreshed and less puffy. Avoiding salty foods and drinking plenty of water will certainly help too. (via The Beauty Department)
18. Use apple cider vinegar to get rid of warts.
I know this is not a very glamorous beauty hack, but it is a miracle hack in my book so well worth sharing. I had some tiny warts on my knee that would always come back no matter what I did. I went to the dermatologist, did the at-home freezing kits, and nothing worked. Then, as a last effort, I tried apple cider vinegar and they were gone within a week and haven’t come back! Amazing! (via Everyday Roots)
19. Soak your razor in vodka to keep it clean and make it last longer.
There are two key ways you can prevent razor burn after shaving: 1) Make sure you are using a sharp, high quality razor and 2) make sure it is clean from any bacteria. This beauty hack helps with both of these by simply soaking your razor in a bowl of vodka after use. (via Be Beautiful)
20 & 21. How to Whiten Your Teeth in 2 Minutes
Skip the costly Crest White Strips and opt for this all natural teeth whitening hack instead. (via Youtube)
If you are someone like me who constantly has strawberries around this time of year, here’s another natural teeth whitening recipe that’s even sweeter 😉
22. Get soft feet and hands while you sleep.
Simply apply a generous layer of Vaseline or Aquaphor to your feet before putting on socks and going to bed. In the morning your dry skin will be gone! I have also used this beauty hack for dry hands and a $1 jar of Vaseline works better than any expensive hand cream. (via Life Unsweetened)
23. Add scotch tape to the sides of your nail clippers for cleaner clipping.
I hate it when I go to clip my nails and one goes flying across the room. So, I have to get down on my hands and knees hunting for it across the bathroom floor. Well, there’s finally a super easy solution. Just stick a piece of tape on the sides of your clippers to prevent any flying nail shrapnel next time. (via Mashable)
Reader Favorite: 25 Easy Makeup Tips You’ll Wish You Knew About Sooner
Want to save these beauty hacks to try out later? We’d love if you pinned our post. Follow us on Pinterest for more life hacks every girl should know.
