Health/Beauty stuff: Items with multiple uses?

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Health/Beauty stuff: Items with multiple uses?

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Started 1 year ago by pammyfay
Latest reply from djk
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pammyfay
Member

Thinking about the previous posting about what to do with unwanted bath stuff got me to thinking about this: If more items had double-duty uses, we'd all be better off, no? I routinely sort through my stash of health/beauty stuff, but I know I could cut deeper (4 bottles of Nair for the few times I end up using it?). All-in-one shampoo/conditioners, tho, have never really felt great to me.

So what items do you routinely use for more than one thing? Like, say, liquid soap for cleaning the body as well as to shave with. Feel free to suggest brand names of items you really love!

Posted 1 year ago #
foilhead1
Member

The shampoo/conditioner in one always makes me giggle. I think their are other ways in an entire house or schedule to pair down. OK...a really good shampoo can be used as body wash, bubble bath, hand washed delicates, even reg. laundry or dishes in a pinch. A Good conditioner can also be used to remove makeup, as hand lotion and even perfume. I prefer Purelogy Hydrating shampoo and conditioners. These are higher concentrated, sulfate-free, vegan products that last a very long time compared to less expensive products. Remember the mantra, 'quality over quantity'.

Posted 1 year ago #
awurrlu
Member

Great topic! I love multitasking products.

I'm a huge fan of Dr Bronner's liquid soaps. I have sensitive skin so I use the unscented one as a body wash and shaving lotion. I also use it for hand washing clothes, and for washing dishes when camping. I also use a drop to rinse the wax off of citrus fruits before I use the rind in a recipe.

Conditioners can also be used as shaving lotion. My step-mom used to use a small amount of her lip color instead of blush. I don't wear makeup, so I haven't tried that myself. ;-)

Posted 1 year ago #
luxcat
Member

I vote for Dr Bronnor's liquid soap too, as well as Vaseline. The latter can be used to moisturize the body, soften callouses, remove makeup and also remove labels. I'm sure there are a lot of other uses I didn't think of too.

Posted 1 year ago #
camellia tree
Member

Love this thread.

I also vote for Dr Bronner's liquid soap.

My favorite beauty multitasker is 100% Shea Butter. I get it at L'Occitane. Here's the link:
http://usa.loccitane.com/FO/pure-organic-shea-butter.htm
It's uses are pretty similar to those of Vaseline, and it's definitely more expensive than Vaseline, but I prefer its consistency to that of Vaseline as it is less greasy. I have very sensitive/dry skin and shea butter is great for dry spots, excema, etc. Great for lips and can be used as a hair gel. I sometimes put it on my face at night if my skin is looking dry. Put a good dose on feet at night before bed and then sleep with socks on for pretty feet. Also great as a hand creme. I always bring a small container of it with me when I'm traveling. You can get the small containers at L'Occitane, or you can get a small empty container someplace like the container store and just scoop some in.

Posted 1 year ago #
charmed2482
Member

I recently tried some Extra Virgin olive oil on my hair and I love it. only a tiny bit thought after its washed. I tend to have pretty dry hair.

Posted 1 year ago #
bandicoot
Member

i make my own soap and i use it for lots of things.
face, body, shaving, hair (in a pinch, but it's not my general preference), cleaning teeth, washing dishes, laundry (again, not my first preference, but it will do if there is nothing else handy).

i make my own lotion with organic olive oil and honey and i use this as:
a cleanser/make up remover
a moisturiser.....face, hands, feet, body
a scrub (just add some walnut shell to a bit of lotion in the palm of my hand)
a masque (just add some dry clay)
an intensive treatment for dry scalp/hair ends (add some relevant essential oils)

Posted 1 year ago #
klutzgrrl
Member

this is kinda funny for me because all I use is soap, water and a facewasher, shampoo and sometimes conditioner if I remember. Occasionally moisturiser, mainly for my hands. If my hair is doing the frizzies I find a bit of moisturiser rubbed over my hands and smoothed over the hair, running my fingers through the ends, helps a lot.

I have good clear skin and I think it's because I don't use much in the way of chemical stuff and have plenty of good fats in my diet.

I can't get over all the lotions and potions they try to sell to women.

Posted 1 year ago #
charmed2482
Member

I just started cleaning my face with oil in the shower. Still waiting to see how it works

Posted 1 year ago #
bandicoot
Member

charmed, i really like the oil cleansing method too.
i mix and melt olive oil/rice bran oil/castor oil with some emulsifying wax.....so when i am rinsing with water, the oils all emulsify together with the make-up, dead skin, skin oil....and all wash off together in the shower.
it's like a lotion....except you add the water to order.

Posted 1 year ago #
jbeany
Member

If we're on multi-tasking kitchen supplies, I'll vote for sugar scrubs. Easy to make your own, and wonderful for skin. Oatmeal makes a good scrub, too.

Posted 1 year ago #
spicykissa
Member

I use mineral makeup (when I wear makeup), and the eye-shadow powders can turn into liquid eyeliner with just a drop of water. I pretty much always shave with a regular bar of soap, too. My SO doesn't even use soap--he just scrubs with the shampoo.

Posted 1 year ago #
DanielleandTom
Member

DH buys the men's shampoo that also works as body wash.

We love Dr. Bronners! Nothing gets stains out better than a long soak in a bucket with Dr Bronners and some Oxi-Clean. I have sensitive skin and it works great as a body wash and for shaving. I would occasionally use it as shampoo, but haven't since I started coloring my hair.

I honestly don't think one of each product category is a dealbreaker though (shampoo/conditioner/body wash/shave gel). It's when you have 4 different shampoos and 3 body washes that you have a clutter problem!

Posted 1 year ago #
ozegal
Member

Having a family has made me buy more 'things'! I used to buy the products that made extra products unneccessary but family go through products so fast, and don't care about the brand or quality. It only took one $30 bottle of shampoo to be used in a week by my step daughter (would have lasted me 3 months) for me to decide that the $4 bottle would have to do, and i would use a conditioning treatment to add extra shine to my own hair... It just wasn't going to be economical.

I like to buy products that will do two things, or that will be appropriate for more than one person. Like a good quality body moisturiser for the whole family that will also be used as a deep conditioning lip treatment and face wash, a hand and foot moisturiser. And cue-tips can be used as a make-up applicator (so i don't have to buy them separately). I don't buy blusher, but I can use my lippy, applied with a finger under pressed powder, when i want that look. That way it matches the lipstick i am using on the day. And a powerful, low-scent deoderant/anti persperant that my husband and I both use. I scent with perfume and he scents with aftershave.

I do keep a couple of products 'just for me', like my make up (all fits into a 20x10cm zip purse) and perfume. I buy a 25mL bottle of the real stuff (not body or toilette spray) and it lasts me 2 years, don't take up too much space, can easily pack in the make-up purse for an over-nighter and smell delightful all day.

Posted 1 year ago #
themusiclivez
Member

This may be a bit off of the subject, but what I love about having less toiletries is this: There is less for me to remember to put on the shopping list! It makes living a "green" lifestyle so much easier, and that is one of my goals :o)

Posted 1 year ago #
charmed2482
Member

i like having less toiletries too. I have natural deodorant that I have to buy online b/c I can't find it here, but used to be able to buy it where I used to live. My toothpaste comes from my hometown when I am visiting, it last long enough that I can just buy it on a regular trip back, or I will just find that online also. I don't use makeup, and I don't wash my hair very often, I have gone months without washing it or just using hot water and its fine. I tried the baking soda/Apple cider vinegar thing but it just didn't work well with my hair. I am/have tried a few different natural things on my face and haven't settled on one yet, but the stuff I have tried hasn't created a lot of clutter. I just sorted some toiletries that were in the back of my closet and got rid of some of those. i have to actual products i use on my hair but they last forever. some Mizani gel stuff, and some oil sheen spray. they were expensive(to me) but the gel has lasted years and the spray lasts years to and I recenly bought two more cans so they will last a really really long time. I probably should have just gotten one.

Posted 1 year ago #
camellia tree
Member

Just a couple things to add here that do not necessarily have multiple health/beauty uses, but are multitaskers nonetheless.

Baking soda...one of the ultimate multitaskers...is great for cleaning teeth. Just mix a little with water and use like toothpaste. I think it's a little hard on your gums so I only use it once in awhile, but gets teeth very clean.

Another thing is those little tweezers that come with a Swiss Army Knife, which is right up there with baking soda as an ultimate multitasker. They are way better than the ones that cost $20 each and supposedly last forever (and seem to cut things instead of pulling them...) Friends have agreed with me on this, the Swiss Army Knife tweezers are the best.

Posted 1 year ago #
djk
Member

I also make my own soap/body products therefore I also use them for pretty much everything. Shaving, hair, teeth, scrubs etc. I buy anti-perspirant, conditioner, lipstick, and mascara. In summer, sunscreen. I use olive oil with a few drops of lavender essential oil in it to moisturize my face. Winters here are cold and dry so I whip shea butter with some sweet almond oil and essential oils, to apply to any dry bits.

a trick for when you want a gentle face scrub: baking soda. Mix some in your palm with a tiny bit of water, or anything liquid, like olive oil, or facewash etc. to the consistency you like, then apply.

Posted 1 year ago #

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