6 Beauty Products With Clever Uses You Never Even Thought Of

More often than not, beauty products reach the end of their shelf life and wind up in a drawer or cabinet for years to come, never seeing the light of day until an inevitable cabinet clean-out, where you rediscover these products again. Oftentimes, these items go to waste because they weren't used up before their expiration dates, fell out of favor with the user, or there were too many other options. But, wouldn't it be great if our beauty products could be repurposed or used in alternative ways? We sure believe so!

Here at Women, we love a multi-purpose product. For example, white eyeliner is the makeup multitool you need in your arsenal because of its versatility. However, other, more unexpected items — like beauty blenders and conditioner (hair products can expire, FYI) — tend to get overlooked, never living up to their true utilitarian potential. It may surprise you to learn how many beauty products can actually be used around the house, or how you can practice self-care with them in ways other than advertised. 

Vaseline is a thick, jelly-like substance that was invented in the 1800s as a cure-all balm. We've probably all used Vaseline to soothe our chapped lips or help heal wounds. But the powerful salve has uses that go beyond what you could have imagined. From multiple applications around the house to warding off pests, you'll be surprised at what Vaseline can be used for. 

Vaseline can actually be used to remove scratches on wood surfaces and wooden furniture. This can be done by lathering Vaseline onto the surface and waiting 24 hours before removing the excess with a cloth. Vaseline can also be used to ward off ants. Simply lather some Vaseline on the windowsill or wherever ants may be coming in from, and the petroleum jelly will slow them down or stop them in their tracks completely. We bet you've never thought of that solution before!

Most of us use a conditioner to add softness and lock moisture into our hair after shampooing, and it's typically something one doesn't skip over in their haircare routines. Conditioner detangles hair and removes frizz, leaving hair soft to the touch. But believe it or not, it can be used for other things on the body and in daily life, as well. 

Since hair conditioner is so smooth, it's actually a great alternative to shaving cream. Its smooth texture softens the leg hair while allowing a razor to glide easily across the skin. This is perfect because many of us shave in the shower, so it's convenient when we forget to purchase shaving cream or accidentally leave it in a bag in another room. Another use is in the accessories department, because conditioner can actually help detangle necklaces. Similar to how it detangles knots from hair, soaking your necklaces in a solution of water and conditioner while gently massaging the knots in the chains can help loosen up a tight, tangled mess. We all know how annoying it can be when multiple necklaces are tangled together, or one is tied up in a knot. Now, there's a quick fix for that. 

Coconut oil is a widely loved multipurpose product. It's often found in beauty products such as lip oils, hair oils, and serums, can be used to moisturize the skin, or can act as a shaving cream (similar to hair conditioner). In terms of beauty, it can also be used to clean makeup brushes, thanks to its anti-bacterial nature and aptitude for catching makeup debris. In fact, there are at least 16 uses for coconut oil in your beauty routine because it truly does it all. But beyond uses on the body and beauty, coconut oil can also be used around the home and in the kitchen.

Coconut oil is a great substitute for butter when baking. Whether you're trying to use less dairy or simply enjoy the taste, it provides a great flavor, too. It can also be used around the household to lubricate squeaky door hinges (we all know how annoying those are), sticky windows, or to clean wooden furniture to give it a nice, shiny finish. Coconut oil can also be applied to your gardening tools to help prevent rust, because it creates a barrier that slows down corrosion.  

Toner is a go-to product for removing impurities such as oil and dirt, hydrating the skin, and balancing the skin's pH. It can often contain witch hazel or salicylic acid, and is a de facto second step in many skincare routines, right after washing your face with a cleanser. There's lots to know about different types of skincare toners, but beyond making your face look and feel clean, toner can be used around the house, too. Similar to how it cleans the skin by breaking down oil and grime, this product comes in handy when you've run out of cleaning agents or if your toner has expired and is no longer skin-safe. 

We all know how messy mirrors can get, especially in a bathroom where teeth are brushed, and specks of water and toothpaste inevitably dapple the vanity. Thankfully, toner can help with that. Simply spray toner directly onto the mirror and wipe it with a microfiber cloth or paper towel. The same method applies to chrome surfaces, such as kitchen appliances, and phone screens (which can easily get messy with fingerprints), too.

Makeup sponges, aka beauty blenders, are great for blending out makeup products and creating an even, seamless look. And while it's generally recommended to throw out used sponges after three months to keep your skin healthy, these little tools have so many uses beyond makeup. Instead of throwing out your old sponges, consider how they can be used around your home — or in your hair!

Makeup blenders can be used to dust screens, such as on your computer, phone, or tablet. Because they're soft, they won't damage the sensitive screens, and the blender's spongy material clings to dust without spreading it around. Alternatively, if you're someone who loves a heatless curls hack, old beauty blenders can even be used to give your hair some bouncy curls. Simply cut old sponges in half for a tighter curl, wrap sections of your hair around them, and secure them with a bobby pin for a few hours, locking in the style with hairspray. When you unpin them, you'll have some buoyant tresses.

Lip balm is a simple, reliable way to keep your lips moisturized throughout the day. Many lip balms either contain beeswax, shea butter, petroleum, essential oils, or a combination of all these ingredients , adding and sealing in moisture until it's time to reapply. It's always convenient to carry around a lip balm, but it has more uses than just keeping lips soft. Although it comes in a small container, its uses range from grooming and skincare to household hacks and treating leather goods.

Lip balm is a great grooming tool to smooth down stray hairs and flyaways, and can also be used to moisturize dry cuticles — similar to the lips — thanks to its nourishing oils. It can also be used for skincare relief after a bug bite to soothe the itching, or to protect the skin from getting chapped by cold, dry winds. In terms of hacks around the home and wardrobe, lip balm can be used to lubricate stuck zippers and squeaky door hinges, too. And similar to coconut oil and Vaseline, lip balm can also be used to shine leather items, like shoes or belts.