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Back in 2009, I did a series of blog posts about bizarre beauty products. If you weren't a reader back then, I talked about products that are used for beauty purposes, despite the fact that the products themselves aren't actually DESIGNED for beauty purposes. For example, we discussed using toilet seat covers as blotting paper, which led to readers sharing that they also use Starbucks napkins as blotting paper.
In 2009, the idea of using Monistat Chafing Gel as face primer was still new to me, so I wrote about that too (I know, I know, it's quite commonplace now, but back then it was still a relatively new idea). And when I heard that people were also using Mitchum clear deodorant as face primer I kind of freaked out (in fact, I'm still shuddering to think of putting antiperspirant on your FACE).
Since 2009, I've heard of some other nontraditional uses for various products, such as the famous Aspirin Mask , Milk of Magnesia for oil control, and baking soda for facial exfoliation and also for clarifying shampoo (FYI, applying Milk of Magnesia or baking soda on the face are techniques that have caused some controversy in recent years. There's talk that these types of products might harm the skin's delicate acid mantle).
And heck, back in 2010 I even did a little review of one of my favorites: using Vicks Vapo Rub as cuticle balm!
But now, I've gotta ask: do you have anything else to contribute to this list? I love hearing about this kind of thing, so if you've seen/read/heard of a new use for a non-beauty product, please share in the comments. Also, if you use any of the above products, I'd love to hear about your experiences.
DISCLAIMER: Nouveau Cheap does not endorse, recommend, suggest or condone the use of any product featured in this post for purposes other than its intended use. If you use any of the ideas mentioned in this post, you are doing so at your own risk.
My Allure or Glamour magazine recently recommended using deodorant as a quick fix to stop bleeding on razor nicks, saying that dermatologists use this as well! I tried it on my leg, it worked, but still.
ReplyDeleteMonistat as face primer? EW. Never heard of that.
Monistat anti-chafing gel apparently has the exact key ingredients as many popular primers such as Smashbox. Never head that tip about deodorant before! Thanks!
DeleteThat's because most deodorant has aluminum in it which stypic pencils are made from. To be more specific, stypic pencils typically contain Aluminum Sulfate and Titanium Dioxide.
DeleteBear in mind that this is a non-medicated silicone anti-chafing powder gel, not anything that is actually for yeast infections and such. It has no scent and is very light. And it costs a lot less than Smashbox studio fix primer. :)
DeleteI use organic extra virgin olive oil to help break down my waterproof mascara! I find that if I just use plain old eye makeup remover, I would have to use way more product, but the olive oil definitely helps make the mascara slide right off. The oil molecules are too big to clog pores, and it's great for those with sensitive skin since it's organic and one ingredient! I've used this method for several years now and I haven't had problems with it.
ReplyDeleteI use KY Jelly as a hair product. I learned of this from a YouTube video of a French-Canadian singer I like who used to me known for his LONG curly hair. He talked about how he would buy the stuff in bulk at the pharmacy and got strange looks from the girl ringing up his purchase. He was like "It's for my hair!!!"
ReplyDeleteI got my curly-haired ex boyfriend to use it, and a year later he still does. The concept is that it is manly water and glycerin do it doesn't create product build up, and holds curl without being flaky or crunchy like gel. I have straight hair and use it to give my hair some hold. It really does work! I apply it when my hair is wet, and add more to tame frizzies or fly-away grays when dry.
You want to get the classic kind that is like a gel, not any of the liquid warming or other gimmick kinds. I have used off brands, but didn't like them as much as the actual KY Jelly.
Wow. I think I might give this a shot. Thanks!
DeleteThat's pretty bizarre. I might try it--never stopped to think KY jelly was just mostly glycerin and water.
DeleteIt's not new, but the only thing I can think of that I actually use is Lansinoh (for breast feeding moms) on cuticles.
ReplyDeleteThe deodorant trick is old... I remember it was a long standing pageant trick back in the early 1990s.
ReplyDeletePut a little Vaseline on your teeth to help your smile.
Aquanet to seal your makeup (Model in a Bottle is pretty similar in terms of ingredients to Aquanet but is like 5 times more expensive).
Unflavored Crisco for your feet and hands helps those with dry skin. Wrap with plastic wrap for a few hours for best results.
Unflavored gelatin as a face mask (similar to the DIY Biore nose strips).
There are just so many out there.
As for the CRISCO.. use STRIDEX Face Pads (or a dupe) first on your feet.. then slather on the Crisco..then put on your light weight socks and go to sleep. I really swear by this to soften dry feet and get them in shape for sandals.
DeleteThe Crisco plain is best if you swipe Stridex pads ( or a dupe) on first , let it dry, then Crisco then socks then sleep.
DeleteYour feet really do get softer in only a few days and you'll be ready for sandals.
Ha! I've been using deodorant ( a separate one than the one I use on my underarms) on my bikini line for years! It prevents razor bumps like a charm ;)
ReplyDeleteMay I ask which brand? This has been a horrible problem for me, nothing I have ever tried has worked.
Deletediaper rash cream works great on razor bumps too.
DeleteHa! I've been using deodorant ( a separate one than the one I use on my underarms) on my bikini line for years! It prevents razor bumps like a charm ;)
ReplyDeleteMichelle Phan has a video about using kitty litter as a mask... It's just clay so it functions the same as a clay mask, but I just can't stomach the idea of putting litter on my face.
ReplyDeleteYou have to be careful with kitty litter because some types don't contain just clay. If kitty litter makes your squeamish SOME types of throwing clay (the kind used in pottery) can be used BUT you have to know what kind you're buying because some may contain lead.
Deletewhat about using white toothpaste to dry out pimples? this one is probably more known.
ReplyDeleteThis has never really worked in my experience
DeleteLately my evening routine has included washing my face to get gunk off, then gently rubbing Jojoba oil on as an oil cleanse to help work out sebaceous plugs. I know some people just leave it on, but I like to remove it with a biphasic makeup remover, and then remove the makeup remover/remaining oil with generic calomine lotion. I know that sounds silly to remove the remover, but it leaves my skin so soft, and reduces inflammation. Sometimes I leave it on as an overnight mask. And I swear, in the week I've been doing it, the pores on my cheeks and nose are much less noticeable, and the texture of my skin has completely changed.
ReplyDeleteI also use aloe gel from those big $3 bottles in the tanning section of the drug store as a night time face mask. That's not so exotic, but it sure is cheap.
ReplyDeletePreparation H to de-puff the eye area.. also aparently a wrinkle reducer
ReplyDeleteI remember seeing an article about this some time ago and apparently they reformulated several years ago and it no longer contains the active ingredients that supposedly helped with wrinkles and puffiness.
DeleteI remember seeing an article about this some time ago and apparently they reformulated several years ago and it no longer contains the active ingredients that supposedly helped with wrinkles and puffiness.
DeleteUnfortunately the US formulation no longer contains the active ingredient that did that. The Canadian formulation still does and it's available through Amazon.com.
DeleteI'm sure this is old hat now, but the women in my family all swear by Preparation H to reduce dark undereye circles and puffiness. Male cashiers still look at me funny when I buy some though. :)
ReplyDeleteOh, and it's not as much fun as toilet seat covers, but I find that microscope lens paper, and pubber/nitrile gloves all make great oil blotting sheets.
ReplyDeleteUgh don't get me started on Michelle Phan's kitty litter facial.
ReplyDeleteAnyone else with me?
What?!?!?
DeleteActual pro makeup artist companies make anti-perspirant face powders. They are great to mix in with your regular lose setting powder during the summer to prevent makeup meltdowns. So I could see using a natural deodorant.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE using coconut oil! I use it on my face, body, hair, & in my bath. It makes everything silky smooth.
I also like yogurt face masks. It leaves your skin feeling new & fresh.
Wow, as someone who probably sweats the most through her face, I think I need an anti-perspirant face powder in my life.
DeleteMy mom is from the dominican republic, when she was young they would use canned vegetable cans as rollers and to set it they would soak white rice in water and decant it in a spray bottle. To this day she swears by the rice water when doing a roller set. Also pouring a shot glass of vodka onto your scalp helps with dandruff and is also clarifying and it provides magnificent shine. Another tip is using beer as a rinse for ultra shiny hair. I've tried all 3 and it works for me.
ReplyDeleteVodka is also used to disinfect makeup brushes and palettes. The ingredient in it - ethanol alcohol - is what's used in Beauty So Clean which retails for $20 for a 4 oz bottle. A cheap bottle of vodka may cost around $6.
DeleteThe newest oil craze is really extremely old... we are just "rediscovering" it. It depends on the individual but can do amazing things for skin, hair, and nails. I wish I had known about it years ago.
ReplyDeleteApple cider vinegar as a toner. Never tried it myself but that's what my bff uses.
ReplyDeletei currently use Milk of Mag for my oily face, but just recently i have started to have a couple break outs... dont know if its because of that "time" or from the MOM. I also use the monistat gel and I love it!
ReplyDeleteI have used the monistat anti-chafing gel as a primer and it works beautifully. I'm not sure why anyone would say ew to it.
ReplyDeleteI have heard of using Preparation H on a double chin to temporarily relieve the puffiness, but with the changes everyone is talking about, I don't know if it would work anymore. I have the Starbucks napkins in my purse right now! I wish I could find somewhere that sells napkins like those.
WOW, love this post!
ReplyDeleteLOVE THIS POST
ReplyDeleteQuite a few years ago I heard about using plain Chap Stick as eye shadow primer for those that find the Urban Decay too drying. (I never tried it as I don't have a problem with eye shadow creasing.)
ReplyDeleteI use either Boots Organic Oil (found at Target, and drugstore.com here in the US) or organic Sweet Almond Oil to remove makeup and it not only removes it, but leaves my skin feeling so soft and hydrated.
I also heard about using plain Aloe as a face primer. I tried it, but it didn't seem to do anything for me at all.
Fun topic, I love reading all the tips!
I stopped using regular makeup remover about 2 years ago. I replaced with oil (olive or sweet almond). It is at least as effective, cheaper, all natural and less harsh on the skin.
DeleteI've used aloe vera gel (the plain clear kind) in my hair when I left it to air dry curly. I found that it gave a lot of life to the curl, and volume, and thickened (my hair is quite fine) without a lot of hold. Mixing it half and half with regular hair gel gave more hold without the crispies. It did add to dry time though.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't heard of Michelle Phan's kitty litter mask (lol), but I did pick up a tip from one of her videos in which she used a combination of dishwashing liquid (I use Dawn) and extra virgin olive oil to wash brushes. The olive oil prevents the drying out of your brushes. I've been using this method for months, and so, far, it has worked like a charm.
ReplyDeleteI also have heard more than one person talk about using honey as a facial mask, ad I haven't tried to aspirin mask yet.
After watching this video, I've used this method for probably the past 2 years with my own modifications. It works really well!
Deleteit's probably nothing new, but i like blending my lipstick with my finger, directly on the lips. i use the surplus on the finger as blush - less waste and it always matches the lipstick :)
ReplyDeleteI would love to find a natural/cheap/alternative product for heat protection for hair. Any idea what the active ingredient is or heard of any suggestions?
ReplyDeleteHonestly I think heat protectants are a waste of money. You're damaging your hair either way with it or without it. I think the heat protectant is just an up sell and a false sense of security. That's just me, though!
DeleteMy boyfriend makes fun of me every single time (and the dog goes nuts trying to lick my hands), but I use olive oil as cuticle oil. It seems more nourishing that any commercial cuticle oil I've ever tried. I also use a cheap concealer stick as eyeshadow primer. I'm sure it doesn't work as well as Urban Decay, but I don't wear eyeshadow that often so spending money on an eyeshadow primer wasn't worth it to me. Beer really is a great rinse to give you shiny hair, just make sure you leave the beer open for a while so it gets flat. The bubbles aren't good for your hair. If I've been drinking beer though, there's likely to be a "wounded soldier" (half full can or bottle) the next morning already decarbonated, so I put it to use on my hair instead of pouring money down the sink. I'm really intrigued by the suggestions for deodorant as shaving bump preventative, but I draw the line at kitty litter on my face.
ReplyDeleteI got a GWP cream concealer that didn't match my skin tone. I use it as primer when I forget my UDPP, and it works well.
DeleteI've heard of Pepto-Bismol masks but people complained it stained their faces pink. So I got to thinking...why not use it as a cheek stain? Got to try this one. haha
ReplyDeleteI've heard of Pepto-Bismal masks but people complained it stained their faces pink. So I got to thinking....why not use it as a cheek stain? Got to try this one. haha
ReplyDeleteI like using baking soda. I make a paste with little baking soda and my shampoo and it works great for cleaning all that build up in your hair.
ReplyDeleteI use MoM for my oily skin under my foundation primer, and baby oil to take off my make up. It works excellent for removing the mascara especially! Then I follow up with my normal facial cleanser.
ReplyDeleteI have used the Monistat chafing gel as a face primer and swear by it. I am super intrigued by the deodorant on shave bumps- I plan to try this asap! I am thinking a Dove brand would work best?
ReplyDeleteHas anyone used the Monistat yeast infection cream on their scalp to promote hair growth?
I have and I really did see growth in my bang area where I used it. I diluted it with a leave in conditioner like Infusium and applied to my scalp. Not sure why or how it worked but it did...lol
Delete- A somewhat common one is to use castor oil for promoting eyelash growth and eyebrow growth
ReplyDelete- I use hand cream (doesn't matter what kind) as conditioning masks for my hair originally because I just didn't think they were that great on my hands but I wanted to use them up and today I used cold cream. Works great and feels like I got some expensive product's results. Anything oily that promises to "reconstruct" things or improve collagen production/has some sort of protein seems to work well for this.
- I mix glycerin and water in a spray bottle as an alternative to MAC Fix+.
- I dab (do NOT rub) vaseline over my spot acne cream/treatment (currently using either queen helene mint julip mask or clearasil adult acne vanishing cream) and this ALWAYS, without fail, dries the sucker up within 2 nights. There is a huge difference when I rub instead of dab: sometimes there is no change or the pimple gets worse but when I dab it goes away.
- Just putting this out there, I have a dupe for Nars Albatross. There is an almay eyeshadow trio for green eyes (intensify or eyelight or some sort of series like that) with a whitish highlighter shade in it that has a gold shimmer/sheen. I have the old packaging for it so it is rectangular and very large but the newer packaging makes it in this rainbow-like shape. It is just as smooth and has the same superfine shimmer as Nars Albatross but the slightest bit less pigmented (imo, how a highlighter should be pigmented).
-I use paintbrushes I bought from Michael's as face/eye brushes. It can be a lot cheaper and exactly the same as some MAC brushes.
-Tap your brush into white powder eyeshadow to lighten your powder? This might be common but my very pale friend has a lot of trouble finding light-nearly white good face powders. I told her she can easily just tap into white eyeshadow and the problem was solved.
Aside from some elf brushes and the ever handy ecotools kit, my makeup brushes are from Michaels. It's important that you use the Loew-Cornell brand, however. This is the youtube video that got it allll started (in it, he directly compares Loew-Cornell to MAC brushes): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9lPfKzQAXE
ReplyDeleteAlso, I don't buy eyebrow gel or an eyebrow comb. I take my Maybelline define-a-brow pencil (the comb side) and then some hair gel I happen to have lying around (right now it's Garnier 'define curls' gel) and squirt a little, AND I MEAN A LITTLE, into your palm, using the comb side with a layer of that gel to style your eyebrows. Not that I think eyebrow gel is terribly expensive, but if I can save myself $6.99 by using this method (college student, here), I will.
AWESOME post! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI use my cheapy conditioners that I've bought to cowash my hair that I really didn't like as shaving gel. It works awesome! It also makes my skin super soft!
ReplyDeleteI use deodorant as a facial primer and it works perfectly and it does'nt clog my pores
ReplyDelete