Beauty Shortcuts: Quick Tips and Tricks to Help You Look Your Best

Sometimes we get stuck with a beauty problem and need a quick fix. Here is a list of helpful beauty shortcuts to fix or avoid common beauty problems using products you have at home.

Written by Madeline Gonzalez, Green Health Research Contributor

Tip # 1 Curl Lashes to Look Awake

Didn’t get your full eight hours last night? Curling your eyelashes can help you look more awake and alert, even if you don’t feel that way. Curling lashes opens the eye area, which makes you look more well-rested because when you’re tired your eyes look puffy and small.

To curl your lashes, simply hold your eyelash curler close to the base of your lashes and gently pulse the curler for 10 second count. Look at your results and decide if you want to repeat.

Pulsing the curler rather than just clamping down is easier on your eyelashes and less likely to result in a pinched eyelid.

For extra long-lasting results, blast the eyelash curler with your hair dryer for a few seconds to get it warm and then curl your lashes. The heat helps to set the curl. After curling your lashes you can either add mascara or skip it depending on what kind of a look you’re going for.

Tip # 2 Dry Nail Polish with Cold Water

This is a trick I learned from my grandmother! To help quickly dry nail polish fill a bowl with ice-cold water. After applying nail polish let your nails air-dry for about 2 minutes. Once your nails have air-dried, dunk your hands into the ice water for 3-4 minutes.

The cold water will literally freeze-dry your polish, helping it to harden in a fraction of the time it would take to air dry. Another way to speed up the process is to set your hair dryer on the cool setting and then dry the polish with it. Don’t use heat from your hair dryer, as this can result in fumes and runny nail polish.

Tip # 3 De-Puff Eyes with Tea or Veggies

Our eyes become puffy when we retain fluid and toxins under our skin. This fluid is cleared out by our circulatory system, and one way to stimulate circulation is to use cold tea bags, spoons, or frozen vegetables around your eye area. The cold helps to reduce inflammation and will de-puff your eyes.

Cold tea bags work to de-puff the eye area not only because they’re cold but because the caffeine in tea stimulates circulation. Simply brew some tea, and then allow the tea bags to cool before placing them on your eyes. You could also stick them in the refrigerator for a few minutes to speed up this process.

Even decaffeinated tea bags provide anti-inflammatory benefits because many herbal teas, such as chamomile, are rich in antioxidants and other naturally skin-soothing ingredients.

Another way to de-puff your skin is to use a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a kitchen towel. Peas work well because they’re light and can conform to the contours of your face. Be sure to wrap them in a towel because you don’t want to use anything frozen on your face as this can damage the delicate skin.

If you’re out of tea and frozen vegetables, place a pair of spoons in the refrigerator for a few minutes until they’re chilled. Then place the spoons over your eyes to reduce puffiness. Again, make sure the spoons aren’t too cold. Spoons work well because of their natural rounded shape.