8 multi-tasking beauty products

Lip balm as brow-tamer

Eyebrows looking a little unruly? No need to invest in expensive brow-grooming kits: A waxy lip balm works as an instant brow groomer. “Smooth it over brows to groom them and hold them in place,” says Stroh. “It also gives a bit of shine, which adds extra polish to your look.”

Try: Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm, $4.99

Mascara as root touch-up

If you’re long overdue for a haircolour touch-up and have greys showing through but can’t make it to the salon, look to your trusty mascara for help. “Use a brown or black mascara [matched to your haircolour] and brush through the hair at the roots to disguise the grey,” says Shawn. ” It will last until you wash your hair.”

TIP: Done with your mascara? Before tossing it in the trash, save the wand (clean it first) to use as a brow brush or eyelash de-clumper.

Try: L’Oréal Paris Extra-Volume Collagen Mascara, $11.95

Loose facial powder as dry shampoo

No time to wash your hair in the morning and forgot to stock up on dry shampoo? Loose facial powder works in a pinch. “Use a big powder brush and brush loose powder at the roots to absorb oil and refresh your hair,” says Shawn. Apply powder close to the scalp if you’re dark-haired, says Shawn, to avoid leaving a grey cast.

Try: CoverGirl Trublend Microminerals Finishing Veil, $13.99

Hand lotion as frizz-fighter

Your morning blow-out was met with a downpour on the way to work and your hair is now sprouting up in all directions. What’s a girl to do? Use a smidge of hand cream or lotion and smooth through the ends of your hair to banish frizzies. “It works the same as a smoothing cream,” says Stroh.

Try: Clinique Deep Comfort Hand and Cuticle Cream, $22

Lipstick as blush

For a natural-looking flush, lipstick pulls double-duty as blush. Just dab on lipstick to the apples of your cheeks and blend with your fingers, says celebrity makeup artist Jackie Shawn. “It works best if the colour is one or two shades darker than your lips,” she says, and if you’re using a bright red, use a light hand when applying to your cheeks.

Try: Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick in Pink Me Up, $9.99

Shampoo as makeup brush cleanser

Makeup brush cleansers can be expensive, hard to find, and, says Stroh, often contain alcohol, which can be harsh on your coveted tools. She recommends washing brushes with regular hair shampoo. “The brushes will last longer if you use shampoo as opposed to alcohol-based products,” says Stroh. Her tip: “Don’t get the whole brush wet; use your hands to help get them wet.”

Try: Live Clean Exotic Nectar Argan Oil Restorative Shampoo, $6.99

Conditioner as shaving cream

If you’re out of shaving cream and soap just won’t cut it, try a dollop of your favourite hair conditioner as a pre-shave balm. “It softens the hair [to prep legs for shaving], and works better than soap,” says Stroh. Bonus: legs will feel just as soft as if you used a fancy shaving cream.

Try: Pantene Pro-V Nature Fusion Smooth Vitality Conditioner, $5.99

Eyeshadow as eyebrow pencil

No need to splurge on a specialized eyebrow pencil; eyeshadow works just as well and actually looks more natural. Shawn recommends using a soft brown shade to fill in any sparse or overplucked areas. “Since the brow is fuller at the beginning, you just need to fill in the ends with a slanted eyebrow brush,” says Shawn.

Try: M.A.C Eyeshadow in Espresso, $17.50

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