With busy schedules and hectic lifestyles, we’re always looking for ways to save time. So if you’re looking to skim a few minutes of your day and make your life easier, take a look at these simple hacks to try right now!
Make perfume last all-day
To make your perfume scent last longer, it’s all about where you spray it. Traditionally we spritz perfume on our wrists and neckline but there are some usual places that will make you smell lovely all day. It may seem odd but locations such as behind the ears, inside your elbows and behind your knees are the perfect diffusion zones to help your perfume stay put all day.
Apply apple cider vinegar as toner
For people that have particularly oily skin and are hesitant to use moisturizer, mix apple cider vinegar and water or green tea as a toner to balance the pH levels of your skin before applying moisturizer.
Wash your makeup brushes with face cleanser
Ok, so many of us are guilty of not washing our makeup brushes enough. The bacteria that build up on them could be the cause of breakouts and actually makes applying makeup more difficult. An easy fix is to rub a gentle facial cleanser through the bristles and then rinse.
Keep your feet happy
Our feet are sometimes the last on the list when it comes to skincare yet they are one of the most important places to take care of. Removal of dry skin and regular clipping of nails help prevent foot pain.
Rinse your hair before swimming
Regular swimmers will know that chlorine and saltwater is not your hair’s best friend. To help stop the damage from chemical-laden swimming pools, give your hair a rinse before you get into the pool. Your hair will absorb the water helping to prevent the chemicals from damaging it.
Dry your hair with a t-shirt to reduce frizz
So we’ve been using towels to dry our hair for years but if you want to relieve the frizz from your hair why not try drying it with a cotton t-shirt? Towels draw the moisture from hair quickly, which causes frizz. Using a cotton t-shirt helps remove the excess water with a less frizzy finish.
Fill a spray bottle with mousse for easy use
Traditional hair mousse is a slightly outdated way of styling hair and that’s possibly due to how messy it is. You can still use this effect styling solution by taking the air out of it. How? Fill a spray bottle with the mousse, which when sprayed turns the product into a slightly liquid form giving the same styling properties as before with less mess.
Make nail polish dry faster
We all get bored of waiting for nail polish to dry and even those advertised as fast drying, we end up chipping after two minutes so what can help speed the process? Try filling a bowl with water and ice, after painting them, soak for a few minutes and the cold water will help set the polish, drying nails faster.
Get fuller lashes with baby powder
To achieve luscious looking lashes, you don’t have to opt for the fake kind to give that extra boost. Get the same look by dabbing a cotton bud into baby powder and running across your lashes after applying mascara. Then apply a second coat, the powder ill adhere to the mascara offering a fuller, natural look.
Treat a bruise with mouthwash
Sometimes you can’t help but walk into things so the next time you walk into a table edge or whack your funny bone, treat the fresh bruise straight away with regular mouthwash. Just dab onto the area with cotton wool and it’ll make the look and feel much better.
Prevent and soothe blisters
Oh the things we do for fashion, yes and that sometimes includes wearing killer heels that leave our feet feeling a little sorry for themselves. Blisters however big or small cause pain and discomfort but to help avoid them altogether. Apply some deodorant to hot and bothered feet to help cool them down and add a little moisture that prevents friction and rubbing in your shoes.
Remove makeup with coconut oil
Coconut oil has taken the beauty world but storm, you can use it for everything (well nearly everything!). Another of its many uses includes removing stubborn eye makeup. Just gentle wipe with a cloth over the eyelid and you have a natural, safe and effective way to stop panda eyes.
Use essential oils for a range of remedies and ailments
For hundreds of years, we have used plants and plant elements to aid many factors of our everyday life from food sources to medicinal purposes. Plants contain a wide variety of chemicals including phytochemicals that have known beneficial effects on long-term health when consumed by individuals.
What are essential oils?
Essential oils are a well known extracted compound from plants. In the simplest form, they are the ‘oil of’ or ‘essence of’ the plant. Oils are generally extracted by distillation methods and are often used in many popular everyday items including perfumes, cosmetic products, household items and soaps.
Essential oils are best known for their healing and therapeutic properties as they are rich in anti-oxidants and work deep into the cells to create supple and nourished skin. Another influencing benefit of essential oils aids psychological and emotional elements helping enhance wellbeing and state of mind.
How are essential oils are used in health and skincare?
People commonly think that the meaning of aromatherapy is anything that smells good for example, scented candles or room diffusers when in fact it refers to any therapeutic application of plant essential oils.
Aromatherapy is a popular form of alternative medicine that uses many different essential oils to help with an individual’s ailment including mood, health and cognitive functions. Essential oils can be used in a variety of ways to stimulate senses and treat common complaints. There are three distinct ways to apply essential oils including:
Diffusion – this application is dispersed into the air or particular rooms to fragrance or in some cases disinfect an area.
Inhalation – essential oils can be inhaled to aid decongestion problems or help with psychological conditions such as practiced calming methods.
Topical – a popular application uses essential oils in a variety of topical treatments including massage oils, bathing oils and skincare.
Essential oils have the ability to penetrate deep into the skin cells, which promotes renewal, regeneration and reprogramming cells to function and perform on a balanced and harmonious level.
21 common essential oils and their healing properties include:
Bergamot – You’ll have come across this essential oil if you love a cup of Earl Grey but Bergamot also helps stave off viruses and flu.
Cedarwood – If you’re suffering from congestion, this essential oil is great for relieving symptoms.
Chomomile – Used for centuries as a healing aid, chamomile is great for a range of ailments including cuts, inflamed skin, sores and allergies.
Cinnamon – Ok, so you might love the taste of cinnamon but it also has some useful properties too. Its use can relieve constipation, exhaustion and irritability.
Clove – Ideal use for people that suffer from lung conditions such as asthma and bronchitis.
Eucalyptus – Common in many cold and flu medicines, this essential oil will certainly help clear a stuffy nose.
Geranium – Ideal for people that have skin conditions and infections such as acne.
Ginger – Long been used as a cooking ingredient, ginger also relieves headaches, aching muscles and nausea.
Jasmine – Most comply used in tea and perfume, jasmine can help ward of labor pains and dry skin.
Juniper Berry – If you want to relieve skin problems, bloating and heartburn, try juniper berry for a natural immune system booster.
Lavender – This popular essential oil is said to help a range of health issues including muscle pain, migraines and sinus infections.
Lemon – This is a well-known cooking ingredient and is one of the most popular essential oils for sore throat. It’s also packed with benefits to ward off common coughs and colds.
Lemongrass – This is a great natural remedy for fatigue and digestion.
Myrrh – This perfect complement to your skincare regime can help reduce chapped, cracked and ageing skin.
Orange – Sweet orange oil is commonly used as a natural antidepressant due to its uplifting aroma. Other properties include anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic relief such as muscle cramping.
Peppermint – Commonly ingested as a tea to help digestion.
Rose – Rose infused skincare and water can help a range of skin conditions alongside minor cuts and grazes.
Sandalwood – Most well known for its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties.
Tea Tree – This essential oil is well known in many skincare products due to its bacteria-fighting properties. Tea tree is commonly used in anti-dandruff shampoos to help clear the condition effectively.
Thyme – Commonly helps to fight infections and help health issues such as arthritis, dermatitis and laryngitis.
Ylang Ylang – Most popularly used as a mood enhancer but also aids menopause, hypertension and insomnia.
There are many essential oils, some very popular in common remedial practices. Each has important properties that play a significant role in aiding common ailments and conditions. Using these alongside these easy hacks can help to save some time in your everyday life.
