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Monday, February 20, 2017

My Favourite Beauty Hacks.

My name is Christie. Some of my hobbies include watching TV whilst eating junk food, and laying in bed pinning all the things. That and Vodka. Always Vodka. The pins too often draw me in are the 'hacks', which speaks volumes about my character: lazy. That, and the fact that I'm pinning 'lazy girl guides' in bed at 1pm instead of going to the gym.. So, it's safe to assume that if there's a half-assed way of going about a task, that's the route I'm going to take.

There are the Pinterest hacks that are notorious for not working at all, and then there are the Pinterest hacks that work like a lazy girl's dream. Below are ten of the everyday beauty hacks that I have tried and tested and use, well, every day:


Rimming the waterline
I've been rimming my waterline has always been a favourite hack of mine, and I've been doing it for as long as I can remember. For those who don't know, 'rimming' (not the sex thing) is essentially stamping black eyeshadow over your pencil liner just like in this image tutorial. This trick is especially advantageous if you use a pencil that tends to smudge. It keeps everything in place, makes your liner last, and helps keep things waterproof.

'3' highlight
I spend a fair amount of time contouring my face if I'm due for a night out, but for an everyday look, I quite literally draw two quick squiggles on my face with my Models Prefer highlight and contour sticks, blend, and viola! I start by contouring, drawing a backwards "3" from my temple, making the middle line sit right below my cheekbone, and draw the bottom line underneath the jawbone. Then I quickly make a "3" with a highlighter, starting above my brow, ensuring the middle line is above the cheekbone, and the bottom line is above my jawbone (see the image tutorial here).

Using a fork to contour your nose
This hack has had the shit kicked out of it left right and centre, but I honestly found it amazing (as did Nikkitutorials) when I was first learning to contour my nose. The space between prongs is generally perfect for most nose shapes and sizes and allows for perfectly straight lines. Blending it all out seamlessly is left up to you, but with a solid starting point, you'll master the contour in no time.

Cinnamon oil 'botox'
I actually posted this hack a year or so back. Adding a few drops of cinnamon oil to your lip gloss makes for a temporarily plumper lips. This has been my sneaky little confidence booster for years. It's a perfect, portable pick-me-up that can be touched up throughout the day.

Baby powder 'falsies'
I just can't with the falsies. I've tried. I've failed. I've given up.
I found this pictorial a while back and have been doing this little trick every time I go out. You quite literally run a cotton bud dipped in baby powder across your lashes after you have applied a coat or two of non-clumping mascara. Finish off with one last coat and BAM! Thicker lashes.

Warm mascara in your bra
I read somewhere that warming your mascara before use it really allows you to get the most out of your tube. I began putting my mascara in my bra while I was getting ready in high school, and I still do today. By the time I've finished my foundation and eye make-up, the mascara is warmed up enough to go on super smooth and there is significantly less clumping. It's especially great if your tube is on the older side and is starting to run out or dry - you get more uses from the one tube AND it glides on much better.

Hairspray on a toothbrush for flyaways
I'm no hair genius - often a high ponytail is too much for me to handle, so I need all the help I can get. If I'm attempting an updo, or have styled my hair on a frizzy day, I'll finish it all off by spraying a little hairspray directly on an old toothbrush and smoothing down any flyaways or fine baby hair around the hairline.

Band-Aid manicures
I'm the clumsiest person on the planet Earth, so I've got about 4 packets of Band-Aids on me at all times. They're good for more than just covering up your ouchies; I've been using them as French tip stencils since seeing this blog post. As the ends are already curved, I find that band-aids work much better as stencils than plain old tape. If you find a pack with the large sized pore holes, they're also great for polka dot nail art!

Plastic spoon mascara guard
I'm a complete grot when it comes to putting mascara on my lower lashes. I found this pin a while back and it changed my life. You may need to do some explaining when your boyfriend sees you do it for the first time, but it definitely beats the wet cotton bud clean up which smudges your eye make-up, or the tape that removes half of your concealer.

Nivea Post Shave Balm as a primer
I'm sure you've all heard this beauty hype by now, but guess what? It works! The ingredient that makes work so well as a primer is glycerine, which is in just about every face primer on the market as it acts as a glue for foundation creating a tacky base for your make-up to stick to. Definitely an option if you're looking for a cheaper alternative to expensive primers or have sensitive skin. You can see my full review for more information.


What is your favourite beauty hack?


45 comments:

  1. Thanks for these ideas! :D I'm gonna have to try some of these out!

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  2. Haha welcome. Anything to make that morning routine easier. :) x

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  3. My favorite beauty hack is the mascara and the contouring with a fork which are genesis ideas.

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  4. Oh my gosh so many good ideas! I don't put eyeliner on my waterline but my sister does and it always wears off quickly, I'll have to tell her to set it with dark eyeshadow! I've never heard of using a band-aid stencil but that is genius x

    Beauty From Katie

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  5. Wow, I have never heard of some of these. How interesting! Now I'm going to have to try these out. The plastic spoon one has me intrigued.

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  6. Ok so you just completely blew my mind with these hacks! I've never heard of ANY of these, but I'll know be using them. Especially the baby powder and fork contouring one!

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  7. Most of these hacks are new to me, and am excited to try these later at home! Thank you dear :)

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  8. Love these. Did you know that you can make thick mascara like new by adding a few eyedrops into it. (I'm all into hacks as you can see). Will try some of yours for sure. Nice post! Enjoyed it.

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  9. I'm going to share with my daughter the bandaid hack. She has used tape and it hasn't worked for her. Thanks of the tips!

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  10. Those are great hacks! I can only imagine my husband's thoughts if he saw me using a fork to contour! Too funny (yet sounds super practical...)!!!

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  11. Brittany StrawbridgeFebruary 21, 2017 at 5:37 AM

    Okay I seriously need to try that baby powder falsies hack!! That's great! Thanks for sharing!!

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  12. Wow! I've actually never heard of most of these hacks before, definitely a few for me to test out here! Xx

    Kez | acaciasdreams.com

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  13. Ugh I wish I could contour my face! lol

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  14. I have to try that cinnamon oil hack! I'd love to try a natural lip plumper.

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  15. Love this! Who doesn't love beauty hacks! Especially being a mom of two I need to be able to get ready quick most days!

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  16. OMG! I have never heard of any of these and I love them all! The fork for contouring is my favorite <3

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  17. This really are helpful hacks! I heard about the baby powder on eyelashes but haven't tried it because I didn't think it would work but I guess I should.

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  18. Lining my waterline was a game changed for me back in high school! Somehow I totally forgot about it along the way but thanks to your reminder I'll be doing it again starting tomorrow! My favorite was NYX jumbo pencil in Milk!

    xo, jess

    alljessedup.com

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  19. Beth Shankle AndersonFebruary 21, 2017 at 1:21 PM

    These beauty hacks are hilarious, but if they work then they work! I had heard of the "3" contouring and highlighting method and it does work well.

    Beth || www.TheStyleBouquet.com

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  20. Hooray! Someone who appreciates the goodness that is the fork contouring - so many people have dissed it but it truly works! :) x

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  21. Definitely let her know about stamping eyeshadow over her liner! I've been doing it for years and it really helps keep it on. It also helps super smudgy, non-waterproof formulas stay in place. It's not perfect for that purpose, but it definitely helps. :) x

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  22. Aha I'm glad I could help. :) Let me know if you do try them, I'd love to know how it went for you. :) x

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  23. I had heard that, yes. I've never tried it yet as my mascara is always used up so quickly, but I'll definitely keep it in mind. :) x

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  24. where have these been all my life? That contour hack is literally everything to me! I am forsure trying that out tomorrow morning! My mind is blown haha! I really wanted the Nivea shave balm to work for me but I tried both formulas and just broke out like crazy :( These are all great though!

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  25. She can thank me later haha. ;)
    I don't feel as though the straight edge to tape is practical. I'm jealous of those who can get it to work, but I'll be perpetually using my band-aids aha. They work so much better in my opinion. x

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  26. Ahahaha. Oh don't worry, my partner gives me weird "why are you doing that" looks almost every day. But hey! If it works, I'll deal with his judgement. :P x

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  27. Yessss! So long as you apply the powder smoothly (no clumps) and use a decent quality mascara (again, no clumping), it works wonders! Let me know if you do try it. :) x

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  28. Old mate Christie delivering the goods ahaha. Let me know if/what do you try, girl. I'd love to hear how these work for others. :) x

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  29. Let me introduce you to the trusty fork. :P xx

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  30. It's lovely! But definitely do heed my warning and put it in a gloss, rather than straight on your lips. :) x

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  31. Oh I could imagine. I'm glad I could help make your life that little bit easier. :) x

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  32. Yasss! Someone else who appreciates the goodness that is the fork contouring! It sure does look silly, but it truly works! :) x

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  33. It does work (for me, anyways). So long as you apply the powder smoothly (no clumps) and use a decent quality mascara (again, no clumping), it should work for you too. :) x

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  34. Ahaha you're welcome, Jess. ;) I'm glad I could be of some (or any aha) assistance. :) x

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  35. Exactly! I may looks like a goof doing them, but the result is worth it. :) x

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  36. They've been under my belt your whole life, that's where haha. :P
    I'm so glad I've found someone else who can appreciate a good contour hack. Definitely let me know how you get on. :) It's a shame about the Nivea "primer", though. I think how well it works depends heavily on the type of skin you have. Oh well, not everything is meant for everyone, I suppose. :) x

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  37. These are some amazing beauty hacks, I want to try the baby powder on the lashes, great idea!

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  38. Nicole Alexandra McIntoshFebruary 22, 2017 at 5:25 AM

    Always love some great beauty hacks! Thanks for sharing!

    XOXO-Nikki
    www.withlovenikki.com

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  39. These are awesome tips! I especially love the band aid one for nails. I never considered that before!

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  40. All these beauty hacks are new to me. Thanks for sharing these tips.

    Nisha
    www.learn2livefully.com

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  41. Definitely do! :) As long as you ensure there are no clumps of baby powder on your lashes before applying your mascara it works a treat. :) x

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  42. You can never have too many hacks up your sleeve if you ask me. :P x

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  43. It honestly changed my life! Bit of a dramatic statement haha but it truly is an awesome hack! :) x

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  44. Thanks for stopping by - I hope you get the chance to try a few of them. :) x

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