I’m sure I’m not alone when I say I’ve tried almost every single beauty product on the market to no avail. The amount of $20 skin creams, hair sprays, and moisturizers I’ve accumulated over the years to be used only once, if at all, is a sin. But from one product junkie to another, the greatest results are found in the most natural of remedies.

Here’s a collection of the weirdest beauty tricks worth trying, at least once, to salvage your beauty routine, all the while saving you money (because it’s guaranteed the items listed below are already stocked at home…in your pantry…or medicine cabinet).

You can thank me later.

Visine Concealer

Visine and other red-eye formula eye drops contain vasoconstrictors, which shrink blood vessels, and therefore reduce redness and inflammation. Rather than using concealer, dab Visine onto a cotton swab and hold gently against your blemish. Let the Visine do what it does best. Proceed to be amazed.

Approximate Cost: $8

Time: A minute, not even.

Difficulty: Apply using a cotton swab to avoid infesting the tip of the bottle with bacteria.

Smells: Like nothing at all.

Results: Reduces redness instantly.

Pepto Bismol Facial

Do you know Pepto Bismol can combat dull skin in addition to hangovers? Its naturally drying properties, like bismuth subsalicylate – an antibacterial ingredient similar to the acne-fighting agent salicylic acid – makes it an ideal solution for blemish-prone skin. Soak a cotton ball in a tablespoon of Pepto Bismol, and apply to your face. Once dry, peel off your Pepto mask, splash skin with lukewarm water, and expect only to be glowing.

Approximate Cost: $4

Time: Approx. 20-30 minutes.

Difficulty: Apply a thin layer first to avoid dripping. Once it dries, you’re in the clear (pun intended).

Smells: Like salt water taffy. Yum.

Results: A bubble-gum pink glow. Will dry out acne over the span of a few days.

Milk Bath

Lactic acid in milk is renowned throughout the beauty world for its skin softening properties. To benefit from its smoothing and soothing effects, add a dose of milk to a hot bath to moisturize and relax the skin. Take it up a notch by throwing a tablespoon of olive oil into the mix, which has a high count of essential skincare antioxidants that help repair skin cells to their full potential.

Approximate Cost: $4.99, give or take.

Time: However long you wish to bathe. I can sit in there for over an hour; you do you.

Difficulty: Unless you plan on milking a cow first…

Smells: Like milk?

Results: Skin as soft as a baby’s bum.

Dryer Sheet Smoother

Run a fresh dryer sheet across your hair to smooth flyaways without weighing roots down. Though they’re a great way to tame static on the go, they’re only a temporary fix, so be prepared to stash a few in your pocket.

Approximate Cost: $7

Time: A minute, not even.

Difficulty: Bad weather calls for a reapplication ever other hour or so.

Smells: Fresh linen.

Results: Eliminates static for frizz-free hair.

Highlights Sans the Salon

Run freshly squeezed lemon juice through your hair to naturally lighten the colour. When the acid in lemons reacts with UV rays, the upshot is sun-kissed highlights even Gisele couldn’t pay for.

Approximate Cost: A bundle for $2.99

Time: 10 minutes (or more) of fun the sun.

Difficulty: Brush the lemon juice through your hair to avoid cheetah-print like spots.

Smells: Like lemonade.

Results: Natural and subtle highlights; the keyword here begin “natural.” If your hair is brown, it might go red, not blonde. Just a reminder.

Lager Lather

Avoiding ridiculously priced thickening tonics is as easy as soaking, rinsing or spraying hair with beer the next time you’re at a kegger. The proteins from the malt and hops in beer coat each strand, offering damaging-repairing benefits and wonderful body. For best results, boil 1/4 cups of beer, and let it cool to room temperature. Add 1 cup of regular shampoo, hop in the shower, lather, rinse, and dry hair to perfection.

Approximate Cost: Anywhere between $6-$40, depending on the number of bottles or cans you buy.

Time: However little or long it takes you to shampoo.
Smells: Like a really good party.

Difficulty: Kills two birds with one stone…

Results: … By adding volume and coating hair cuticles with nourishing benefits, that is.

Flax Seed Oil Lashes

Stimulate active lash growth by dabbing flax seed oil along your lash line with a cotton swab before bed every night. Flax seed oil contains an array of omegas, as well as B vitamins, to evolve broken and damaged lashes into the long, luscious flirting tools they were intended to be.

Approximate Cost: $12

Time: Let the flax seed oil settle overnight, and rinse eyes in the morning.
Difficulty: Close lids when applying to avoid getting the solution in your eyes.

Smells: Vaguely like freshly mowed lawn grass.

Results: Bat your eyelashes after a few weeks, and you tell me.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Naturally antiseptic and antibacterial, apple cider vinegar is the ultimate in cleaning you inside out. Prevent skin problems by mixing half a cup of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar with half a cup of filtered water. Dip a cotton ball into your solution and apply after washing the face. The solution will tone and brighten to restore skin’s pH balance.

Approximate Cost: $20

Time: Apply to a clean face, without rinsing. Apply moisturizer and makeup afterwards.

Difficulty: Don’t put it on, or near the eyes to avoid a potentially bad situation. After all, it is vinegar.

Smells: Like a salad, but not for long (it eventually subdues).

Results: Keeps skin beautiful and healthy with a balanced pH level.