I'm always on the lookout for the "next best thing". I rarely re-purchase make up, moisturizers, cleansers, exc. just because I always hope the next purchase will be better than the last. Over the last few months I've picked up a few tricks that are somewhat unconventional, but are ones that I don't see myself needing to change any time soon either because they are so much cheaper than the traditional product or because it just works so well.
Monistat Chafing Gel as a foundation primer:
I've recently started using foundation again (currently using the HD Invisible Cover Foundation) to even out my skin tone more. I was researching if I wanted to use a primer or not and I stumbled upon a tip to use the Monistat Chafing Gel as a primer. The main active ingredient, Dimethicone, is also found in a lot of the major brand primers like the Smashbox primer which goes for 5 times the price. While I don't have any experience with the Smashbox primer, I've used several different brands in the past and the chafing gel works just as well at filling in pores and helping keep make-up in place but for a fraction of the cost. My skin tends to run on the drier side and the primer helps it feel velvety soft all day.
Head & Shoulders for body acne:
Acne on my back is something I've struggled with for 10 years now, and in recent months I've also started getting it on my chest too. SUPER FUN. I've tried everything over the years - pills, lotions, creams, swabs. Nothing has completely helped. I read someone suggest using the Head & Shoulders shampoo as a body wash - they claimed it completely got rid of their bacne (gah, I kinda hate that word). I've used it for a week now and even in just 5 washes I've noticed a huge difference with the skin on my chest. I was seriously shocked that it worked as well it as it did for a product that is in no way geared towards clearing acne. Apparently the pyrithione zinc is the magic ingredient so make sure whatever kind you use (I'm using the 2 in 1 classic currently) contains it. I smooth it on my skin and let it sit for about 2 minutes at the end of the shower.
aluminum foil to remove glitter polish:
I love to do my nails, but I hate removing the polish, especially glitter polish. I scrub and scrub with completely demolished cotton swabs trying to get it off. I learned this trick on Pinterest. You just soak half a cotton ball in polish, place it on your nail, and wrap the whole thing in a stripe of aluminum foil. Then you wait for 5 minutes, and all the polish wipes off clean! I have no idea why this works, but it does. No more scrubbing!
coconut oil as a make-up remover:
I finally jumped on the coconut oil train last month, and when I asked on instagram what people use it for, Jentine from My Edit said she uses it to remove eye makeup. Girl, what? You want me to put something I fry eggs with on my face? I had been using the Neutrogena remover wipes for about 9 months and while they worked fine, I was sick of spending $8 a month just to remove make-up so when my pack ran out I gave the coconut oil a try. I rub just a tiny amount (not even pea size) between my fingers to melt it, and then I rub it all over my eyes for about 30 seconds. You'll temporarily turn into a crying LC lookalike, but all the eye make up will come off easily. I splash some water on my face (just like in the commercials! ha) to remove some of this make up residue and then follow up with a cleanser to remove the remaining make up and oil. It works so well for so little money that I don't think I'll ever go back to spending $8 on wipes that don't even work as well and just fill up my garbage quicker. The coconut oil is also very moisturizing so I feel it's better for the skin around my eyes, and there is less tugging and pulling as there was with the wipes. I have also been making an exfoliator mask once a week with the coconut oil by mixing a little bit with baking soda and the scrubbing it all over my face.
Are there any unconventional beauty products you use? I'd love to hear about them so I can try them out for myself!
