Our vanities tend to attract clutter despite routine purges, so we’re always looking for new ways to thin out our arsenal and utilize tried-and-true formulas to their full potential. Your beloved, everyday products can be put to multiple uses via these easy DIY skin and hair-care recipes. Follow our tips and a few key products can go a seriously long way.
New Uses For Beauty Products You Already Own
Faux Glow
Combine three parts cold cream with one part body bronzer for a nourishing moisturizer that is a quick fix for pallid winter skin, imparting a healthy dose of color to your complexion. Play with the ratio depending on the depth of color you desire, and add a pinch of your favorite highlighter for a little extra glow.
Invigorating Coffee Scrub
A new way to work coconut oil into our everyday routine? Sold! Combine the invigorating benefits of coffee with the powerhouse oil for a sweet-smelling scrub. Add ½ cup of ground coffee and a teaspoon of cinnamon to ⅓–½ cup of oil (depending on how viscous you like), then mix thoroughly.
When applied topically, caffeine tightens and provides a healthy dose of antioxidants, while cinnamon is said to plump the skin by stimulating blood vessels (think a tingly lip plumper, but with a less dramatic effect), and in some cases it can also help with eczema relief.
Quick tips: To allow for easier mixing, warm up the oil in the microwave or a saucepan just enough to rid of any solids, then let it cool to room temperature. Additionally, espresso grinds are finer and thus generally more comfortable on skin. Just to be safe, test your concoction on a small patch of skin before sloughing your whole body and then adjust ratios as necessary.
Dry Shampoo
As commonplace in our to-go arsenal as lip balm, dry shampoo is one product we count on to keep our look fresh 24/7. By now we all know of the baby-powder trick, but what about using a few everyday items you likely have in your pantry to recreate this hair-care essential? Mix ¼ cup of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of baking soda and apply as needed to roots—the combo soaks up excess oil without imparting a heavy scent.
Refreshing Face Mist
Perfect for a mid-day dose of moisture or a pre/post-makeup pick-me-up, a light face mist is our go-to for feeling refreshed in a flash. Employing skincare benefits from a variety of essential oils, this formula can be mixed and matched to address your specific needs—though a trusty trifecta comes from argan oil, lavender essential oil and rosewater. Mix 6 drops of 100% argan oil and 2 drops of the lavender into a 4 oz. rosewater base, then shake until fully emulsified before each application.
