Beauty New Uses

Make breaking shoes in less of a pain. Rub clear-gel deodorant on spots prone to blistering before you step out in a stiff new pair.

Keep shampoo from crossing unauthorized borders by packing toiletries in a sturdy lunch box in your luggage.

Stick needles and pins in a wrapped bar of soap. The soap’s oils make the pointy ends glide through fabric “sew” easily.

After a steamy shower, clear the bathroom mirror with a quick blast of hot or cold air.

With the cameras flashing and all eyes on you, there’s a lot of pressure to look your very best. Stash extra makeup—think lip gloss and concealer—in an empty glasses case and tuck in your purse for quick touch up’s throughout the day.

Give roomy heels and ballet flats a perfect fit (so you don't pull a Cinderella) by filling in the toe area with some cotton balls.

When you don’t have time to let your styling tool cool (say, you’re headed for the airport or going straight to work from the gym), stash it in a heat-resistant mitt before packing it up.

Artfully dab on costume makeup without getting your good makeup brushes dirty.

More than just a hair accessory: Attach a note to a ribbon with a colorful or bedazzled bobby pin.

Balance the oiliness of moisturizing makeup. Brush on a thin layer as a finishing touch.

Dab some baby oil on splatters to remove latex paint from skin.

Lighten your carry-on load and sub conditioner for shaving cream.

Use a utensil tray in your bathroom drawer to keep small items like tweezers, nail clippers, and makeup brushes organized. Submitted by: Margaret2580

Put medications in a locked cosmetic case for an easy way to keep curious kids away from poking around the medicine cabinet.

Store your hairdryer in an ice bucket to add a decorative touch to your bathroom and keep the counter tidy.

Kiss that smudge of Really Red good-bye. If the fabric is machine washable, saturate the spot with hair spray, let it sit for 10 minutes, then dab with a damp cloth or sponge to remove. Launder as usual to wash out any residual stain and spray.

If daily use of mousse or gel is weighing down your locks, add a pinch or two of baking soda to your shampoo once a week to remove product buildup. Getting squeaky-clean strands is a piece of cake.

Easily transport non-prescription pills without all the bottles. Pop it into your handbag and you'll have a headache remedy handy when the man in seat 7A drones on about his herniated disk. Plus you'll keep pills out of contact with everything else in your purse

An unused glasses case makes a convenient storage spot for nail files, clippers and other manicure essentials while on the go.

Get the kinks out of wrinkled wrapping ribbons that were tied around your birthday presents for recycled bows without the telltale creases from the previous gift box.

Maintain some modesty in the locker room. Hold towel in place with a clawlike clip post-shower.

Fake freshly washed hair by sprinkling powder on, then comb through down to the roots.

When you can't squeeze another dollop out of the tube, make a paste of baking soda and water. It will get your teeth clean until you can make it to the store.

Use a bejeweled hair clip to save your place in the latest thriller. Slide the pin over a few pages (so it stays in place) to mark where you left off.

Set a manicure in record time. Lightly mist freshly painted nails for instant smudge protection.

Remove greasy buildup from hair by adding 1 tablespoon salt to 1 cup water and massaging through hair. Rinse well.

Assemble a mobile manicure kit by cutting a sponge into small pieces, saturating them with nail polish remover, and storing them in the canister.

For subtle highlights in blond hair, simmer two sliced lemons in water for one hour (add more water if needed). Strain, then pour into a spray bottle.

Rub a bit of lip balm on dry cuticles for a quick and easy way to soften them when you're on-the-go.

Fix a chipped nail by running the jagged edge along the strike pad to smooth it out.

Use mayo to get a deep condition at home. Starting at the scalp, coat strands with 1/2 cup mayonnaise and leave on for 15 minutes. Then rinse thoroughly.

Keep a snag in your stockings from growing by dabbing it with clear nail polish.

Treat yourself to an at-home facial. Mix a package of plain instant oatmeal with warm water and apply to skin. Let sit for 5 to 10 minutes, then rinse well.

Soften cuticles easily with a couple of dabs of cooking oil. It's the quickest cure for dishpan hands.

Corral bobby pins and hair clips in a paper clip holder. The magnetic ring makes them easy to dispense.

Fold a packet inside the tin to keep tissues dry and intact in your purse or beach bag.

Give eyelashes new luster by brushing them with a bit of petroleum jelly for an instant length-enhancing shine.

Prevent a nail-polish cap from sticking by dabbing the jelly around the bottle’s ridges before sealing.

Make an on-the-go cosmetics kit by applying a bit of your favorite eye shadow, concealer, and lip gloss to the ends of cotton swabs and stashing them in a plastic bag in your purse.

For an at-home spa experience, wet and wring out washcloths, fold in thirds, roll up, and steam in the cooker for about five minutes. (Transfer the towels with tongs—they're hot!—to a plate to cool a bit before using.)

Pull off a perfect at-home pedicure. Cut up a sponge and wedge the pieces between your toes before painting.

Perfect your pucker. Make a paste of sugar and petroleum jelly and gently brush on dry, peeling lips with a toothbrush until they are smooth.

While a bottle of expired sunscreen will no longer protect you from UV rays, it can still protect you from razor burn. Use it when lubing up to keep legs smooth all year long.

Add 1/2 cup of vinegar to the water to soothe dry skin—and get a cleaner bath tub. An essential oil can help counteract the smell.

If you don't want to pile on more hair products halfway through the day, let water reactivate what you applied in the morning. Just spritz hair and reshape. If you need a firm hold, however, you'll need a fresh coat of hairspray.

Fend off pressed powder by storing your purse compact in a securely zipped plastic bag.

Skip individual travel-size bottles and load lipstick shades and cream foundation into the compartments of a multi-day pill case.

Bare feet left with a bit of tar after a long day on the beach? Lift it off with a dose of baby oil.

All out of shaving cream? Rather than skipping the shaving session altogether, reach for the conditioner to help soften your skin.

Prevent gunk from settling into your hairbrush by pushing a swatch of stocking fabric over the bristles, so it rests on the base. When the brush needs cleaning, remove the swatch and hair and product buildup will go with it.

Stop tweezers from going astray by installing a magnet on the inside of the medicine cabinet and they will always be at your fingertips.

Differentiate your keys by color-coding them with your favorite nail hues. Lay keys flat and apply a thick coat of a different shade to the top of each one.

Coat the bottom of a shaving-cream can to fend off rust rings on the ledge of the tub.

After tightening the loose screw, dab polish across the top for a longer-lasting fix.

When the flap of your letter won't stay stuck, find closure with a coat of clear polish.

If dragging and decking out the fresh spruce leaves you with sticky digits, pour a tablespoon of oil onto a cloth, then rub until clean. Bonus: The oil is a great moisturizer for dry winter skin.

A 30 percent chance of rain… hmm. Do you tote around an umbrella (maybe for nothing) or head out sans protection (and risk getting drenched)? Third option: Tuck a plastic bag into your pocket or purse. Then, if you're caught in a downpour, you can use it as an on-the-spot rain hat to protect your do.

Stop leaky toiletries from putting a damper on your next vacation by covering each bottle and tube with a layer of wrap.

For overnight trips, fill bags with single portions of shampoo and conditioner. Protect Q-tips and cotton balls from moisture, or stash powder compacts in bags to prevent spills in your purse.