These are super clever tricks! I don't know if I'd put mayo in my hair but I've heard that avocado works really well! Also, nail polish remover in small quantities helps when your spray tan gets messed up.
Whether we hear about them from our moms or find them online, there’s no shortage of kooky DIY beauty ideas out there. And while many of them are nothing more than old wives’ tales, some actually work, can be whipped up in minutes from stuff that’s already in your pantry, and are a fun way to experiment with beauty—for pennies!
This week I played mad scientist and tested out five weird beauty tricks. Guess what? I found that all of them are great weapons to add to your beauty arsenal.
Beauty Trick #1: Style With 7Up
The Road Test: To add texture and volume, I poured 7Up into a squirt bottle and sprayed it onto my damp hair like a styling spray.
The Verdict: The sugar definitely pumped up my strands and created a beach-sexy look. It also made updos easier because my hair had more grip. The caveat: Go easy on the spritzing to keep locks from getting sticky, and be forewarned—this isn’t a styling tool that will let you skip shampooing for an extra day. Your hair will look dirty much faster than normal.
Beauty Trick #2: Zap Zits with Aspirin
The Road Test: I crushed an uncoated aspirin in a few drops of water to create a paste, then used a Q-tip to apply it to a pimple. I let the solution dry and kept it on overnight.
The Verdict: In the morning, the redness had definitely subsided, and the pimple was smaller and not as inflamed. Why? Aspirin contains salicylic acid, a great exfoliator and common ingredient in the most effective store-bought acne treatments. And if you’re going to get creative with your acne treatments, aspirin (in small amounts) isn’t nearly as irritating as dabbing toothpaste on zits, which can burn the skin, creating redness and scabbing.
Beauty Trick #3: Banish Greasies with Deodorant
The Road Test: I rubbed my fingers over my deodorant, then dabbed them on my nose and forehead to absorb the oil and sweat.
The Verdict: While this did create a matte finish and kept my skin from getting shiny later in the afternoon, I also felt like it clogged the pores on my nose, causing blackheads. This is a treatment I’d save only for special occasions when you need a seriously quick fix (think outdoor summer weddings).
Beauty Trick #4: Buff Away Self-Tanner Streaks with Baking Soda
The Road Test: In the shower, I sprinkled baking soda on a loofah and gently scrubbed my hands and ankles (the two areas that hadn’t come out looking even post-tanner application).
The Verdict: As an admitted spray-tan addict, I work hard to avoid the telltale streaks and blotches that make a tan look less than natural—so I especially loved this easy trick. The baking soda removed just enough color to leave me with a gorgeous, glowing tan.
Beauty Trick #5: Deep Condition Hair With Mayo
The Road Test: I brushed the tangles out of my dry hair before showering, then applied mayonnaise. Once the strands were saturated, I let it sit for 20 minutes and then shampooed out.
The Verdict: I’ve actually been doing this one for years (my mom swears by it), and my hair always feels softer and stronger and looks shinier. Just skip your roots to keep your hair from looking heavy and limp, and make sure to use full-fat mayonnaise, since it’s the cholesterol and fat that (ironically) boost your hair’s health.
The final word on crazy at-home treatments? Try them! Let us know how these treatments work for you—and if you’ve got any of your own to share.
