A Few Simple Beauty Hacks That Work Wonders & Save Money
Who doesn’t want clearer skin or a whiter smile? As a cosmetology school graduate I’ll be the first to tell you that baking soda is great way to improve your beauty routine for cheap. As college students, we all know how hard it is to manage money. Instead of spending hundreds of dollars on products from your favorite retailer, baking soda along with a few other house hold items can save you money while making you look fabulous! Follow these baking soda beauty hacks for amazing results.
- Blackheads Be-Gone!
You’re looking in the mirror putting on your favorite moisturizer when, boom, you spot those pesky blackheads. We all know how stubborn and annoying blackheads can be, and it seems almost impossible to make them go away. Their like that pesky ex that you just can’t get rid of. Blackheads build up on your skin when excess dirt, skin cells, oil, and make up build up and clog your follicles. Many people think scrubs are the best way to get these annoying blackheads out, but what they don’t know is that scrubs can be harsh on your skin leaving it scratched and raw. Instead, use a baking soda face mask to loosen and get rid of troublesome black heads.
What you will need:
- Baking Soda
- Lemon Juice
This DIY mask is simple and easy. Mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda and 1 teaspoon of lemon juice. Mix together to form a thick paste. Rinse your face with warm water to open up pores. Put mixture where blackheads are present and leave on for 5-10 minutes. Rinse your face and pat dry with a towel. After this, I like to put a moisturizer on my face. Do this 2-3 times a week to see the best results!
2. Smile, Sparkle, Shine!
Brighten up the room with a dazzling smile like you just got your teeth whitened at the dentist. From time to time we can see our teeth get dim from everyday use. I love my caramel macchiato from Starbucks as much as the next girl, but it takes a toll on my teeth. They say a smile is the most beautiful curve on a girl’s body, so make your curve kickin’ with this easy DIY teeth whitening recipe.
What you will need:
- Baking Soda
- Lemon Juice
- Water
3 ingredients to a whiter smile? How much easier can it get!? Add 3 tablespoons of baking soda to a bowl. Mix half of a teaspoon of lemon juice and a half of a teaspoon of water to the baking soda. Stir until a thick paste forms. Dry teeth off with a paper towel to get excess saliva off. Put mixture on teeth and leave for 1 minute. Do not exceed this time as you do not want to damage your enamel. Do this a few times a week and start seeing results almost instantly!
3. Buh-bye Buildup!
Hair spray, and serum, and mousse, oh my! Turn oh my in to buh-bye with the power of baking soda. If you’re like me and use 2 or more styling products on your hair every day than this baking soda hack will work wonders for you. Day after day we use styling products that sit and build up on our hair. Excess build up can cause hair to become dirty and unmanageable. This leads to more challenging everyday styling. Don’t let excess build up cause a bad hair day. Use this DIY buildup remover to rejuvenate your hair.
What you will need:
- Baking soda
- Shampoo
This might be the easiest hack on this list. Next time you’re in the shower add about a quarter of baking soda plus your favorite shampoo. Lather for 2-3 minutes and rinse. Wala! Buh-bye buildup.
4. Burn, baby, burn.
Ouch! Razor burn. How we all loathe you. You planned on wearing your super cute new tank top from Forever21 for a girl’s night out when these harsh red bumps pop up on your underarms after shaving. Scramble for a new outfit? But you bought this shirt just for tonight. Wear a kimono to cover up? Nope! Banish the burn with baking soda. That’s right, this household staple can get rid of that unsightly and painful razor burn.
What you will need:
- Baking Soda
- Water
The leading razor burn cream costs about $7 for only an ounce of product. Save your money by spending under $2 for a whole box of baking soda! Mix 1 cup of water with one tablespoon of baking soda. Apply to affected area and let dry completely. After the mixture is dry rinse with cool water. After your skin will feel soothed and the redness will begin going down.
5. Scrub-a-dub-dub…
One step gets you 2 in 1! Eliminate cuticles and whiten your nails at the same time with a simple baking soda scrub. This hack is a life saver, especially for those of you who love your mani-pedis. How many times have you taken off your nail polish and noticed a yellowish tint or colors from the ghost of Etsy’s past? Gross. Yep-we’ve all been there. This scrub will whiten your nails and get rid of the tint in no time. How many times have you tried to cut your own cuticles and end up cutting too deep causing nicks or cuts? They say beauty is pain, but it doesn’t have to be! Many people cut the eponychium, the thickened layer of skin around the nail, rather than cuticle causing open cuts. This can cause inflammation around the nail and can even lead to infection. By using this baking soda scrub you can eliminate cuticles safely.
What you will need:
- Baking Soda
- Lemon Juice
- Whitening toothpaste
- Nail brush or toothbrush
Mix 4 tablespoons of baking soda with 2 teaspoons of lemon juice and a squirt of whitening toothpaste. Stir until ingredients have completely mixed together. Apply paste on to your nails and let sit 2-3 minutes. Next, take a nail brush or tooth brush and lightly scrub your nails. After a few minutes of light scrubbing or until you see cuticles being eliminates, rinse with warm water, pat dry, and apply you favorite lotion.