Weird Beauty Tools
16 Weird Items That Double as Beauty Tools
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When it comes to DIY beauty, sometimes you have to get outside your comfort zone . . . but that's where the magic happens. While learning a new technique, you can become a makeup MacGyver — using lash glue all over your face, using actual paintbrushes on skin. We've discovered you can use pretty much any household item at your disposal to create a masterpiece.
Instead of using trial-by-error to suss out the secret-agent beauty tools hiding in your home (though that is remarkably fun!), we consulted with the professionals backstage at New York Fashion Week. Read on to find out why dental floss, dish soap, and other random items need to be in your kit.
Dish Soap
Bok Hee, the lead hairstylist for Shea Moisture at Tracy Reese, keeps a bottle of dish soap on hand during Fashion Week. "Sometimes the models' hair can be very oily when coming from another show," she said. That can get tricky when the model has to have squeaky clean strands for the runway! "I use it instead of shampoo — it cuts right through the oil."
Try: Dawn Ultra Dishwashing Liquid ($4)
Paint Rollers
Though they were made for painting your walls, these decor essentials can also paint your body (and in way less time than it would take to use a brush). That's why Val Garland, lead makeup artist for MAC Cosmetics at Hervé Leger, keeps them handy.
Try: Whizz Polyester Mini Paint Roller ($9)
Dental Floss
Tom Pecheux, lead makeup artist for MAC Cosmetics at Altuzarra, shared that he uses dental floss regularly, including at an Anthony Vaccarello show and for a shoot with Gisele Bündchen. "Dip it in a liquid formula, then stamp it on to skin," he said, "or dip it and roll it up the face!"
Try: Johnson and Johnson Reach Floss ($1)
Mascara Wands
You already have these in your makeup kit, but you're not using them to their full potential! Jin Soon Choi, lead nail artist at Derek Lam, uses spoolie brushes for abstract painting. "I apply lacquer to the wand and stamp it on the nail," she explained. "Sometimes I'll bend the wand first to get a more irregular shape."
Reinforcement Stickers
You may still have a few of these on hand from your days in high school or college. Don't toss them yet! Sunshine Outing, lead nail artist for Zoya at Rachel Zoe, uses them to create half moon manicures. "They're also great for making a perfect circle on the nail," she remarked.
Try: Avery Reinforcement Labels ($6)
Styptic Pencil
We hope you don't ever have to use this medical tool, but Diane Kendal for Nars Cosmetics at Thakoon keeps them in her kit in case of a mini emergency. "Sometimes we need to shave the guys, so I carry sticks to stop bleeding if they cut themselves."
Try: Pinaud/Clubman Styptic Pencil ($3)
Needle and Thread
Sewing doesn't have to be restricted to garments. Anthony Cole for Sebastian Hair at Cristian Siriano explains that he often stitches up hair to contain it. "If I am doing an updo, I will take all of the hair and pull it back in a rubber band," he said. "Then I use the needle and thread to make Xs through it, and pull pieces out to create shapes."
Try: Emergency Essentials Sewing Kit ($1)
Self-Fusing Silicone Tape
Silicone tape is traditionally used to seal up leaks in plumbing, but Polly Osmond, lead makeup artist for MAC at Cristian Siriano uses it on the face. "It’s like latex and makes really nice eyeliner," she shared.
Try: Harbor Silicone Rescue Tape ($12)
Baby Wipes
Gina Edwards, lead nail artist for Morgan Taylor at Thakoon, uses wipes on feet and hands as a cleansing and hydrating treatment. "I find that when I use cuticle oil and then go back over it with the wipe, it gives it that dewy feeling," she explained.
Try: CVS Ultra Soft Unscented Baby Wipes ($3)
Cellophane
Typically we see playing cards backstage protecting intricate updos from creases, but at Kate Spade New York, lead stylist Recine with Fekkai wanted to jazz things up. He used a piece of holographic cellophane to keep rubber-band marks out of the hair.
Try: Cellophane Wrap ($4)
Tulle
You'd expect to see tulle backstage at a fashion show, but this fabric had nothing to do with the clothes. Peter Gray used the mesh-like pieces to smooth bangs before the Badgley Mischka runway. He diffused hair that was damp with Oribe hair spray and topped with tulle.
Try: Tulle by the Roll ($3)
Pliers
Manicurist Gina Edwards told us backstage at Jonathan Simkhai that she relies on pliers for opening up her nail charms (not pulling models teeth or anything sinister).
Try: Stanley Diagonal Cutting Pliers ($19)
Tweezers
While a pair of tweezers is a makeup kit essential, Thomas Osborn with Catwalk by Tigi uses the tool to remove bobby pins without messing up the style. They're an essential for those lost bobbies you can feel but just can't see.
Try: Tweezerman Slant Tweezer ($23)
Leaf Blower
Beyoncé loves her fans on stage, and so does Kevin Ryan. He packs a battery-powered leaf blower in his photo shoot kit. The gardening tool comes in handy when he needs to create "wind" for photographers on set.
Try: Ego Cordless Electric Blower ($179)
Rubbing Alcohol
James Pecis, lead hairstylist with Oribe backstage at Jill Stuart, admits that he uses rubbing alcohol on hair. He keeps his kit stocked with the liquid for wigs. The first-aid essential is good for removing product buildup from the synthetic hair.
Try: Walgreens Rubbing Alcohol ($2)
Screws
Backstage at Adam Selman, manicurist Madeline Poole with Sally Hansen used screws to create dotted nail art. First, she attached the hardware tool to a number two pencil using the eraser. This DIY technique creates a much larger, ladybug design.
