This is a list of beauty related “hacks” – just tips and tricks that are inexpensive, and perhaps a little unconventional. There are all things I use on a regular basis that have been helpful to my beauty routine – I hope you get some new ideas!
Clear cellophane tape – to remove flaky skin from my face! No amount of AHA or exfoliation can get rid of 100% of flaky skin during the winter months on me (especially around my nose area). This quick little trick has helped foundations to apply smoothly even if my skin wasn’t perfect initially. Make sure to get the glossy cellophane tape, not the magic (matte) tape, as the glossy tape is slightly more tacky and will pick up more. I just get it from the dollar store so it’s not super high quality and it’s not crazy sticky like packing tape or duct tape. Do a test patch to make sure your skin can tolerate this.
Translucent loose face powder – as eyelash primer. Dust a light coating of loose face powder onto bare lashes, after curling them and just before applying mascara. Then apply mascara on top as usual. This acts as a lash primer to help bulk up the lashes to add volume. I prefer loose powder over pressed powder since there are less binding ingredients with loose powder, so there is less chance of getting clumpy lashes.
Pressed face powder – in a pinch, use your existing pressed face powder as your eye shadow transition shade. I do this often whenever I’m travelling to save space in my makeup bag. To take it a step further, you can also buy a face powder a shade or 2 darker than your skin tone to use as a deeper transition shade. Usually this is much less expensive per gram than buying an eye shadow (and it could double up as a bronzer).
Toilet paper – instead of facial tissue. I use TP to wipe brushes between blending, or to clean product off my fingers when using primers or spot concealing. Toilet paper is preferable over facial tissue paper as they’re the perfect size for brushes, and with daily usage, less wasteful and less costly. I also use it to blot my foundation of excess oils just before applying my finishing powder. I experimented with several brands before I arrived at the optimal one: Charmin Ultra Strong – it is the least linty and most tear resistant and absorbent of all the ones I’ve tried.
Spatula – for applying moisturizer to my back. Yes! I discovered this only recently when my back was getting super itchy and I just could not reach to apply moisturizer. So like a Primate developing tools, I sought out a device that would help me reach my back. Enter the Betty Crocker silicone spatula ($2 Dollarama). This is the perfect tool for applying moisturizer because it doesn`t absorb any of the lotion, and the flexible material mimics that of a hand. There is a bit of a learning curve to using a mirror to guide in the application, but not having an itchy dry back is totally worth it!
Do you have any beautyhacks? Please share!
stash matters 
These are great! I also love using just plain scotch tape to help apply winged eyeliner and create a sharp smokey eye. I use a small piece of tape and apply it on a diagonal from the outer corner of my eye up to the end of my brow and when you peel it off after applying eyeshadow, it creates a beautiful sharp edge.
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I’ve seen this trick on YouTube (Pixiwoos) but have never tried it, I will have to give it a whirl! Thanks!
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Great post! I like your ideas with these beauty-hacks bc they are things we use all the time!
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I love the idea of the pressed powder as eyeshadow / bronzer! I have some from when I had no idea what color would suit me. Now I know what I can do with it, hahah.
P.S. I nominated you for the Creative Blogger award! https://shadowandsugar.wordpress.com/2015/03/19/the-creative-blogger-award/
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Oh thank you! I’ll go check it out and post my answers soon!
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I totally use toilet paper instead of tissue for wiping brushes and makeup off my fingers, lol. I really need to try the tape exfoliator trick though! Great tip.
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Hahahaha the spatula has me laughing, genius idea…My boyfriend is no longer needed!
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Hahahaa that spatula idea is genius! I LOVE posts like this .. cannot believe it was featured in your least viewed posts!
Saira
http://www.throughtheglitterglass.wordpress.com
xo
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The spatula idea is so simple but effective! 😛
I think my blog was just really new at the time – who knows!
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Secretly, I will use the spatula tonight !!! LOL 😛
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It’s the best trick ever! 😀
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It doesn’t look pretty but it’s working like a charm 😀
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I would have never thought to use a spatula, but my arms reach all the way back so maybe it’s cause there’s been no necessity to beg the mother of invention. HOWEVER try using a paper towel instead of toilet paper to clean brushes. The ridges cling onto the color just a bit better! Also, bronzing powder is great as a transition shade too 🙂 This was so fun!
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Do you have monkey arms? 😮
I tried the paper towel before but I find I waste a lot of it. I use a new brush every day for eye makeup so it’s not necessary to get them THAT clean. 😛
Thanks for the tip about the bronzer! 🙂 Smart!
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WHAT. Ok, that tape and spatula idea are both genius! Wow I might have to do that tape trick tonight – my skin has been so flaky this winter. Thanks for sharing 🙂
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The tape works SO well, I’ve been using it often lately! I usually end up using 2 pieces to pick up any stray skin bits around my nose. Let me know how it works for you!
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