Cradle of Beauty

Tackle body odour with a chemical exfoliant

The exfoliating face toners you have in your skincare routine (and hopefully only use once or twice a week to prevent over-exfoliation) can be used in your underarms to tackle body odour. Give it a quick swipe to break up oil and dead skin cells.

That said, YouTube’s favourite dermatologist Andrea Suarez does caution that overuse of strong acids in the underarm area can cause sensitivity and disrupt the pH of the region. Acids can get trapped in the folds of the skin. So if you are using a chemical exfoliant for your underarms, you’ll want to keep it at a low percentage or use a gentler exfoliating ingredient like mandelic or lactic acid, rather than a strong glycolic acid.

Moisturise in the shower

By now, we know that it’s most effective to use hydrating ingredients and moisturiser while your face is slightly damp. The same principle applies to body care.

If your skin gets drier than a 3-day-old chappati in the fridge, keep your body lotion in the shower so it’s handy for when you’re done bathing. You don’t have to be sopping wet when applying it, but it does take some getting used to.

Pinch test for dark circles

Watching Bambi Does Beauty’s video on Instagram was a game-changer for how I approached caring for my undereye area. Not all dark circles are created equal, and causes can range from genetic bone structure to ageing, thin skin, and hyperpigmentation.

The pinch test can help you figure out what’s causing yours. Very gently pinch the skin under your eyes with two fingers. If the darkness disappears, then it’s likely that it’s being caused by the appearance of blood vessels under thin skin. If the darkness stays, it’s more likely to be hyperpigmentation. With an improved understanding of the cause, you can better choose how to tackle it

Brush your teeth before your skincare routine

One of the beauty tips you’ll wish you knew sooner if you suffer from acne, dryness or redness around your mouth and chin, is to brush your teeth before you do your skincare routine. As beauty enthusiast and content creator Royce Watson explains, toothpaste residue can remain and irritate the skin after brushing your teeth.

Richard Lipari, DDS, cosmetic and general dentist in New York, also agrees. “Everyone’s skin is different, so the degree to which the skin may be affected depends on the person. You should always wash your face after brushing your teeth.”

Break in your shoes with your dryer.
If those new shoes don't have quite the "give" you'd like, wear them in a bit with this solution: First, put on a thick pair of socks, then put on the shoes. Turn on your blowdryer and point it at the shoes until the material becomes softer and more pliable. One heads up: Not all materials will bend to your blowdryer's will and, frankly, it's smarter to buy a pair of shoes that fits comfortably from the start (but, yes, we know sometimes a really cute pair on sale is hard to resist).

Use a diffuser for more defined curls.
Taking your blowdryer at face value is a big mistake if you're a curly girl. If you're sick of frizz and heat damage, it's time to try a diffuser, which is "a blowdryer attachment that minimizes a lot of the frizz that comes when curly hair is naturally air dried," explains hairstylist Britt White.

Twirling your hair, then plopping it into the diffuser attachment, and blowdrying it on low can make all the difference.

Fix a broken nail with a teabag.
We've all had it happen: Just when you've finally grown out your nails so they're healthy, strong, and all the same length, you get a snag. But don't reach for the scissors right away — a teabag plus a little nail glue is the perfect fix. Wait a few minutes and you'll be ready for some nail art once more.

Use powder to enhance your lashes.
Want extension-like lashes? Between layers of mascara, try fluffing on a little translucent powder to add thickness and length. Use our quick and simple guide to master this sweet technique without looking dusty.

Make blush the ultimate multi-tasker.
Streamline your makeup look by using a sheer watermelon blush (or whichever color is your perfect shade) on your eyes, lips, and cheeks. Here's how to do it without looking like a clown.

Apply blush according to your face shape.
When applying blush, using your bone structure as your guide will give you the most flattering look. For example, oval face shapes should start the application on the cheekbones, sweeping lightly up the temples. Follow our guide on figuring out the proper blush technique for your face shape to make the most of your rouge.

Get effortlessly groomed brows in no time.
If you're so over filling in your brows with heavy pencils, powders, and gels, you might want to try brow pomade instead. It only takes 10 seconds to apply, and it fills, fluffs, and shapes — all while looking totally natural.

Use face gloss for a natural-looking highlight.
Tired of your typical highlighter? Give face gloss a go. Rather than contouring your face, all you need to do is dab a little light-reflecting gloss along the tops of your cheekbones, on your brow bones, and in the center of your lips.

Pick an under-eye concealer for your needs.

When choosing a concealer for your under-eye area, it's important to consider your specific skin concerns such as dark circles, puffiness, and fine lines.