When we think of makeup, we usually imagine its main role—enhancing our beauty, adding a bit of glamour, or giving us a confidence boost. But makeup can do so much more than that! It’s not just for eyeshadow and lipstick; makeup products are surprisingly versatile and can serve purposes you probably never thought of. In this post, I’m going to dive into some fun and unexpected ways you can use makeup in your daily life, from practical household tricks to creative hacks.
1. Taming Flyaway Hairs
We all know the struggle of having small, annoying baby hairs sticking up when we’re trying to look our best. The solution? Mascara! Yes, that’s right. A clear mascara or even a lightly used regular mascara can help smooth down those flyaways. Just brush it gently over the stray hairs, and they’ll stay in place without leaving a sticky residue. This is especially handy if you’re on the go and need a quick fix for a neat hairstyle.
Personal Tip: I always carry a small clear mascara with me, especially on windy days. It saves me when I’m taking blog photos or attending events where my hair needs to look polished.
2. DIY Root Touch-Up
If you’ve got some roots showing and haven’t had time to make it to the salon, makeup can come to the rescue. Eyeshadow can be used to temporarily cover gray hairs or grown-out roots. Simply use a shade that matches your hair color, and brush it onto the roots with a fluffy eyeshadow brush.
My Experience: Once, before an important event, I saw my mom roots were showing more than she liked. She didn’t have time for a proper touch-up, so I used some brown eyeshadow to blend it in. It worked wonders! on my mom.
3. Concealer as Lip Primer
Did you know your concealer can double as a lip primer? Applying a thin layer of concealer on your lips before your lipstick can help neutralize the color of your natural lips, making your lipstick color pop even more. Plus, it helps your lipstick last longer without feathering.
How I Use It: Whenever I wear a bold lip color, especially reds, I always use my concealer trick. It makes the color look super vibrant and gives me that smooth, flawless lip look.
4. Highlighter for Your Body
Highlighter isn’t just for your face! You can use it to add a glow to your collarbones, shoulders, and even your legs for a radiant look. This is especially great in the summer or for special events when you want your skin to have that beautiful, lit-from-within glow.
Pro Tip: I love mixing a bit of liquid highlighter with my body lotion to give my skin a subtle shimmer. It’s perfect for outdoor parties or beach days!
5. Lipstick as a Cream Blush
One of the best multi-tasking makeup products is lipstick. If you find yourself without a blush, or you want to achieve a dewy, natural flush, your lipstick can come in handy. Simply dab a small amount onto the apples of your cheeks and blend it out with your fingers or a makeup sponge. This works especially well with pink, coral, or red shades.
Personal Tip: I love doing this when I’m traveling. Instead of packing multiple products, I just take a lipstick that doubles as a blush. It’s a great space-saver and gives me a natural glow.
6. Eyeshadow for Highlighting
While highlighters are specifically designed for that glowing, radiant effect, eyeshadow can work just as well. If you have a shimmery or light champagne-colored eyeshadow, you can sweep it along your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, and even your Cupid’s bow for a subtle, radiant highlight.
Pro Tip: I often use a pearly white or light gold eyeshadow when I run out of highlighter. It’s also a great option if you want more precision in small areas like the inner corners of your eyes or beneath your brow bone.
7. Lip Liner as a Full Lip Color
We often think of lip liners as a way to outline and define our lips before applying lipstick, but they can work wonderfully as a full lip color too. Lip liners tend to be more matte and long-lasting, making them a great choice for an all-over lip color when you want something that stays put.
How I Use It: Sometimes, I’ll fill in my entire lips with lip liner for a super long-lasting matte finish. It’s great for events where I don’t want to worry about reapplying lipstick constantly. You can even add a gloss over the top for a more dimensional look!