While beauty oils are all the rage, nothing beats a tub of good old Vaseline ($3.24 at Walmart and available in any drugstore) when it comes to beating winter dryness. This miracle product—also known as petroleum jelly—works wonders on your skin, hair, nails and body, and it costs less than a grande Starbucks latte! Check out these 11 amazing ways to add Vaseline to your beauty routine, and soon all your friends will be asking about your miracle beauty product!
1. Prevent fake-tanning mishaps
Rub some Vaseline on your cuticles, elbows and knees just before fake tanning at home with a gel or mousse to avoid patchiness and uneven color seeping into the cracks in your skin. Continue moisturizing these areas after tanning to extend the life of your at-home color!
2. Soften your cuticles
Rub some petroleum jelly on your cuticles before painting your nails. This will soften the skin around your nails so you don’t have to worry about dry skin ruining your perfect mani. Plus, it will make it easier to push back your cuticles, revealing more of your natural nail while still protecting your nail beds.
3. Get the most out of your perfume
Dab some Vaseline on your wrists and neck before applying perfume to those areas. The petroleum jelly absorbs the scent better than your skin, and giving the fragrance a base to cling to will make the perfume last longer and stay fresh for hours.
4. Grow longer lashes
Dip a Q-tip in your pot of Vaseline and rub your fingers over it to remove any excess. Running the Q-tip along the base of your eyelashes, gently apply the Vaseline to the roots of your lashes every night before bed for longer, stronger lashes.
5. Tame unruly hair
Whether you’re trying to rock a sleek side part or your gym ponytail is looking a little cray, rub the tiniest amount of petroleum jelly between your fingers and pat down baby hairs, flyways and frizz before heading out the door. Just remember to use this trick as a final step after using heat-styling tools!
6. Lock in moisture
If you have super-dry skin, apply a small amount of Vaseline to moisturize your elbows, knees, hands and any other dry areas.
7. Remove makeup
Petroleum jelly can easily break down hard-to-remove makeup, so beauty guru Michelle Phan recommends using a dime-sized amount of Vaseline on a cotton pad to remove stubborn waterproof eye makeup. Simply close your eyes and gently massage the product into your eyelids and along the base of your lashes to loosen up tough makeup. Don’t forget to follow up with your normal facial cleansing routine to remove any residue from the makeup or Vaseline!
8. Exfoliate your lips
In a small bowl or even on the back of your hand, combine a dime-sized amount of Vaseline with a pea-sized pinch of granulated sugar until you’re left with a uniform mixture. Gently massage the exfoliant into your lips for about a minute, making sure to move in small, gentle circles. When you’re done, pat off the excess product with a face towel. Since exfoliants get rid of dead and dry skin, you will be left with soft, smooth lips, perfect for recreating Kylie Jenner’s famous pout!
9. Highlight your cheekbones
Take a pea-sized amount of Vaseline and rub it between your index fingers. Dab at the product along the tops of your cheekbones and smooth out with your finger for a quick and easy highlight that works on every skin tone. The key to not looking oily is to use only the tiniest amount of product and to keep it concentrated on your cheekbones. You can use this trick on no-makeup days to add a healthy glow or use it as a final step in your makeup routine for a flirty highlight.
10. Smoother feet
Place a walnut-sized dollop of Vaseline in your hands and apply it liberally to your feet before bed. Sleep in socks overnight for super-soft and nourished feet in the morning.
11. Protect your skin from hair dyes
If you color your hair at home, apply a thin layer of Vaseline to your hairline, the nape of your neck and around your ears before you start to create a barrier and prevent skin discoloration from the dye.
What are you waiting for, collegiettes? Start incorporating this miracle product into your beauty routine now and you’ll be amazed at how something as simple as petroleum jelly can become a multitasking miracle product!