Fashion

17 Simple Beauty Hacks That Will Change Your Life

by Emily McClure

Who said beauty routines had to be difficult? In fact, there are several easy skin, hair, and makeup hacks out there that will make your life so much easier. Forget buying expensive products to solve the smallest of issues. Just reach for items you already have on hand to get the job done. Whether it's calming redness or perfecting your ponytail, there is always a simple solution to any beauty conundrum. Don't get flustered by your makeup meltdowns or your skincare woes. Solve your issues by hacking your everyday beauty routine.

When it comes to simplifying your life via your beauty schedule, it's all about using products that you already own. Household items like honey, milk, or even your anti-chafing gel can do wonders as skincare saviors and makeup perfecters. These items may seem out of the ordinary at first, however, they have powerful benefits that can rock your beauty world. So, don't get ready to throw in the towel just yet. As they say, where there's a will, there's a way. Here are 17 simple beauty hacks and habits that can absolutely change the way you see your beauty routine.

1. Exfoliate While Brushing Your Teeth

Forget about purchasing those fancy lip scrubs. Instead, exfoliate your lips with your toothbrush! When worked in a circular motion, TheGloss.com reported that the bristles of your toothbrush are perfect for removing built-up dead skin cells.

Try: Oral-B Pro-Health Clinical Pro-Flex Toothbrush, $5.99, Amazon

2. Anti-Chafing Gel As Face Primer

Monistat Chafing Relief Anti-Chafing Gel, $7.99, Amazon

While this hack may seem a little off, many beauty experts actually swear by using Monistat's Chafing Relief Powder-Gel in replace of their regular silicone-based primers. According to Glamour, the gel contains dimethicone, a common ingredient in foundation primers that helps to make your makeup last.

3. Use Milk To Calm Redness Post-Wax

krisanapong detraphiphat/Moment/Getty Images

If your skin is looking a bit red after a wax, Redbook recommended soaking a cotton ball in whole milk and applying to the area for 10 minutes. The milk will help calm the redness and soothe the skin.

4. Using A Gentle Face Wash To Clean Your Makeup Brushes

Cetaphil Gentle Daily Facial Cleanser, $7.10, Amazon

If you have run out of your brush cleanser or baby shampoo, you can always reach for a gentle face wash to clean your makeup brushes, according to Today.com. The cleanser's non-abrasive formula is perfect for getting gunk and grim out of the bristles without damaging the brush.

5. Wet Your Hair Before Going To The Pool

Before you head to the pool, StyleCaster.com wants you to hit the showers. Apparently, dry hair is more susceptible to the damage of chlorine and the other chemicals that may be lingering in the pool. By wetting your hair beforehand, you lessen your chances of your hair absorbing those chemicals.

6. Men's Shave Balm As Face Primer

Nivea for Men Sensitive After Shave Extra Soothing Balm, $8.99, Amazon

It's time to start scoping out the men's beauty isle, because several beauty bloggers are raving about using the Nivea Men's Post Shave Balm as a foundation primer. This XOJane.com blogger even swears by it for making his foundation last.

7. Use Petroleum Jelly To Enhance Your Perfume

Vaseline Petroleum Jelly, $7.25, Amazon

Give your perfume something to stick to by applying a thin layer of petroleum jelly to your pulse points before you begin spritzing on your favorite scent. Cosmopolitan reports that the jelly will help the scent adhere to your skin better than using nothing at all.

8. Use Ice Water To Dry Nail Polish

Waiting for your nails to dry may seem like torture to some (AKA me). If you're looking to dry your nails quickly, try soaking them in ice water for a few minutes to set the polish. Gurl.com tried the method out, and it totally works.

9. Dampened Green Tea Bags For Ultimate Chapped Lip Relief

According to The Daily Mail, dampened tea bags are the perfect way to heal even the most troubled of chapped lips. The tea helps to soothe the lips, so that your pout feels good as new.

10. Using Bobby Pins To Get The Perfect Ponytail

Get your best ponytail yet by using these easy bobby pin hacks.

11. Give Your Bobby Pins Ultimate Hold With Hairspray

As someone with fine, slippery hair, I know just how easy it can be for bobby pins to slide around. Keep your bobby pins in place all day long by spritzing them with hairspray before pinning in your hair.

12. Prevent Blisters Using Clear Gel Deodorant

Secret Scent Expressions So Very Summerberry Deodorant, $4, Amazon

Keep blisters at bay by applying a thin layer deodorant to your heels before sliding on your shoes. The deodorant will provide a layer of protection against any irritating fabric or shoes, according to Good Housekeeping.

13. Sub Your Dry Shampoo For Laundry Starch

Faultless Regular Starch, $3, Amazon

Days without dry shampoo can be pretty rough. If you don't have time to run to the drugstore, then Cosmopolitan recommends grabbing your laundry starch as a quick substitute.

14. Use Eye Drops To Diminish Pimple Redness

Visine Original Redness Relief Eye Drops (3 Pack), $15.85, Amazon

Redness reducing eye drops are great for taking the red out of our bloodshot eyes. But did you also know that these eye drops can take the redness out of stubborn zits and pimples? According to Allure, these drops work by constricting the blood vessels to help diminish any redness.

15. Aloe Vera As Acne Treatment

Fruit of the Earth Aloe Vera Gel, $8, Amazon

Aloe vera isn't just for soothing sunburns. It also works great for diminishing dark spots, fighting acne, and moisturizing the skin, according to StyleCraze.com.

16. Lip Balm As The Ultimate Moisturizer

C.O. Bigelow My Favorite Night Balm, $9, Amazon

Can't seem to find any lotion or moisturizer hanging around? Reach for your lip balm instead. Makeup artist, Michelle Phan reports that it's a great substitute for cuticle softeners, brow tamers, and skin moisturizers.

17. Using Blotting Paper On Lipstick

Sergio Dionisio/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

Sometimes lipsticks can just feel so waxy and out of place. Remove that tacky feeling by using a blotting paper along your lips. Makeup artist, Kate Lee told NewBeauty.com that this method removes any waxes or oils from the lips, while leaving behind all of the pigment.

See? Wasn't that so simple?

Images: Getty Images (3), Courtesy Brands