TURN IT AROUND Reverse washing your hair is the latest beauty and hair advice
Beauty
Maggie Gibbons
Why do accidents typically happen when we’re rushing out the door? The other morning when I was running late for a coffee with a pal, my blush/bronzing compact hit the floor, and the whole thing just smashed into loose powder. Luckily, I have a great little fixer for this problem, and before long my compact was fully restored.
All you need is a blunt knife, and a few drops of surgical spirit. Add a few drops to the powder until it begins to form a paste – you just keep mixing with the knife.
Don’t add too many drops at first, you will actually see it all coming together. Then, simply smooth it out, and leave to set overnight. It will be as good as new.
I have a few other hacks that you might not have heard about too… Honestly, there’s a hack for everything beauty! These are some of the ones I use regularly, and hope you might find them useful also.
Reverse hair wash
Reverse washing your hair is the latest beauty and hair advice. It’s exactly what it suggests, condition your hair first, leave it in for 10-15 minutes, then wash. I’m doing it now and I swear my hair lasts longer without getting greasy. I was finding that it was already hanging a bit limp the day after washing, so I really had nothing to lose by trying this tip. Guess what? It works! You’ll get at least another day, maybe two out of your ‘do’.
DIY facemask
Want to look your best without spending a fortune? Mash up an avocado with about a teaspoon of yogurt and another of honey, then apply to your face. Leave it on for at least 15 minutes, and you will be delighted with the result. Just wash it off, and see the effect for yourself. A great source of nourishment for your skin.
Tooth whitener
Every now and then give your teeth a good cleanse with bread soda – not too often though, as it’s acidic, which could eventually erode the tooth enamel. Used carefully, bread soda will bring your teeth up pearly white. Teeth discolour as we age, so it’s nice to keep them white if we can.
Lip scrub
We all tend to get chapped lips after the winter. To smooth them out, gently exfoliate your lips with a soft toothbrush. No need for expensive lip scrubs!
Vasleine
Now that we’re entering the sandal season it’s time to treat the feet. I hate the hard skin that builds up over winter, so at this time of year I slather my feet in vaseline, then don a pair of socks, leave them on overnight and my feet are soft as a baby’s bum in the morning. (Vaseline is one of those little wonder products. It’s a great lip balm, and rubbing a bit on your wrist before applying perfume helps scent to last longer.)
Finishing touch
After you apply lipstick put your thumb in your mouth, pull it out quickly, and it will bring lipstick with it, which will save you the embarrassment of wearing the lipstick on your teeth.
Primer
A fellow beauty writer tells me she always uses her partner’s Nivea Men Post Shave Balm as a face primer, and she swears her foundation lasts longer. (Full disclosure: I haven’t tried this particular hack yet, only because my fella hasn’t any Nivea. I’ll be on to it soon though!)
Blush
Let your lipstick multitask by using it as blusher also. Apply a bit of lipstick to the back of your hand, then using a make up brush just pick up exactly the amount you need. Don’t be too heavy handed to begin with, you can always add more if desired.
Maggie Gibbons is an Image/Style Consultant based in Louisburgh. She can be contacted at living@mayonews.ie.