AT HOME SKIN TRICKS

Since I'm a student on a budget, I get really excited when I hear about at home skin tricks that really work. Here is a list of my top 5 favourite skin tricks:

1) Conditioner
It's not just for hair. Conditioner is very moisturizing so it works great for shaving. Apply it to bare skin like you would with regular shaving cream and use a multi-blade razor (I use Venus). Your skin will feel so soft.

TIP: shave in the shower. The shower helps open pores to make shaving easier. Also, to help prevent rash shave once in the direction of hair growth and then in the opposite direction.


2) Vaseline
Don't worry, I won't go all "Tyra Banks" on vaseline, but it does have some great multi-functions. Try using it for your feet the next time you wear high heels and boots. Instead of using Band-Aids to protect areas of your feet from calusses, put some vaseline on instead. You'll be surprised at how well this works.

WARNING! WARNING! All you need is a little bit...unless you want your feet to slide through your shoes.

I also use vaseline as eye-makeup remover. Again all you need is a bit, otherwise your eyes will get all goopy. I just use enough to cover my whole eye, rub out the makeup with my fingertip and then with a cotton pad or toilet paper wad, wipe off the mess. I repeat this until all the makeup is gone (usually just two applications).

3) Baking Soda
A lot of women waste their money on expensive and unnecessary scrubs. I used to be one of them. I went through an exfoliating phase which, now looking back, was a mistake. I used to use Luxiva Micro-Refiner and then I switched to Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion before coming across baking soda. I was also a regular St.Ives user (I used the apricot scrub to be specific). Little did I know that scrubs, specifically those with larger granules actually harm your skin. If you want to exfoliate (I think everyone benefits from exfoliating) use baking soda instead. The tiny particles are gentle enough for your skin so you don't have to worry about damage (because we only get one skin).



4) Aloe Vera
For burns or rashes, aloe vera works wonders. I have an aloe vera plant at home and use it whenever I have a burn, especially in the summer. I rip a stem off the plant and squeeze the aloe vera directly onto the sore. It works a lot better than aloe vera creams/gels you buy at the store and it's a heck of a lot cheaper.

5) Aspirin
Aspirin is an anti-inflammatory. It works great for rashes and bumps caused by shaving! Break up 1 to 2 asprin and dissolve it in half a glass of water. After shaving, particularly those sensitive areas, dab the water with a cotton pad/ball on the area to be treated. Any redness or bumps that normally would have developed will go down because of the Aspirin.


6) Baby Powder
Ok, so I know I said 5 skin tricks and this isn't really skin...but it's a great trick for those on a budget.

If you want to keep your day-after hair from looking greasy, use baby powder. Baby powder is an inexpensive way of refreshing hair without having to wash it. It dries up hair greasiness just as dry shampoos do, but it's a lot less expensive and works just as good.

TIP: Don't sprinkle baby powder directly on your head. Instead, sprinkle a small amount in the palm of your hands and rub together (this gives you more distribution control). Then comb your fingers through your hair, but stay as close to your roots as possibe.