From perfume to mascara — eight clever hacks to help you save on cosmetics and must-have toiletries – The US Sun

IF you’re looking to save cash, you may be able to cut back what you spend on cosmetics, toiletries and household products . . . by as much as HALF.

As we all try to be more sustainable, it helps save the planet, too. Here, Tanith Carey reveals some clever hacks – and the only difference you’ll notice will be in your wallet.

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Perfume: Add vaseline

WITH even a small 35ml of fragrance such as Chanel Coco Mademoiselle setting you back £57, reducing the amount of perfume you use by half, while still smelling just as good, can save you serious cash.

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According to Richard Quelch, global head of marketing at fragrance packaging experts Lifestyle Packaging, there are lots of ways you can make your fragrance last twice as long.

Richard says: “First apply a small amount of Vaseline where you’d normally spray your perfume – such as your neck, wrists and collar bones – to hold the fragrance for longer.

“Don’t store your perfumes in the bathroom as humidity and dampness will weaken the fragrance meaning you’ll have to apply more, more often.

“It’s may be tempting, but don’t rub your wrists together as the friction will cause the top notes to fade faster, meaning you’ll have to re-apply sooner.

“And always keep your perfume bottles in the original box to stop degradation from sunlight, which will weaken the scent over time.”

Razors: Rub against jeans

DISPOSABLE razors, costing around a fiver, are designed to be used only five to seven times.

When the blade starts to go blunt, re-sharpen it by running it back and forth down the leg of a pair of jeans 10 to 20 times.

The denim fibres will remove any tiny nicks. You can also reduce wear on the edges by shaving in the shower or just after, when stubble is at its softest.

Then blot the water off and store the razor somewhere dry to avoid corrosion.

Dishwasher tablets: Supplement with baking soda

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DISHWASHER tablets can cost as much as 22p each – which can add up to more than £100 a year, according to consumer group Which? – and that’s before you factor in buying rinse aid and salt and the cost of using the machine.

You can reduced your costs by adding baking soda, 66p per 100g.

Experts at dishwashing liquid makers Finish said: “If you’re running low on detergent and want to extend its life, add some baking soda to ensure your dishes are still suitably clean.

"Baking soda’s not as powerful at degreasing, but it can still remove odours.”

Experts also say you can often get by using a half a tablet, especially if you keep your dishwasher free of grease, limescale and calcium deposits.

Cotton pads: Split them in half

IF you’re working your way through dozens of cotton pads to remove make-up that is increasingly designed to stay put, think again how you use them.

Make-up artist Catherine Batour says: “To make cotton pads go further, split them in half and remember to use both sides.”

Foundation: Cut the tube

AS anyone who has ever lost their make-up bag knows, a full face of cosmetics does not come cheap.

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A good foundation is one of the pricier items on your dressing table – with designer brands costing around £35 for 30ml.

So it can be a shock to see how much has been sucked up by your make-up sponges when you come to wash them.

To halve the amount you use, use the tip of a make-up brush to press the foundation into your skin to make it go further and last longer.

Make-up artist Catherine Batour says: “If you’re using foundation from a tube, when you think it’s finished, cut the tube in half and use what’s left inside.

“You will be amazed by how much product is left. Invest in a primer, too. They are usually much cheaper than foundations, but make it stay on your face twice as long.”

Printer ink: Use thinner fonts

PRINTER ink is so expensive it is now pricier, per drop, than fine champagne, according to a study by Which?

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They found ink ordered from a leading printer brand’s website comes to £1.89 per millilitre.

By comparison, a bottle of Dom Perignon Vintage champagne at the same price as this would cost £1,417.50.

And as we all often need to print out concert tickets, airline boarding passes and kids’ homework, the cost of printer cartridges rapidly racks up.

But there are ways to halve the amount of ink you use by choosing smaller, thinner typefaces, such as Garamond or Courier, and set your print quality setting to draft.

Also, black is the colour that usually runs out first. So print any non-business documents in magenta or cyan.

Nail polish: Wipe fingers with vinegar

NAIL care is booming, with women splashing out on average £450 a year.

A great way to cut the number of touch-ups – and visits to the salon – is to make sure there is no grease, moisturiser or water on your nails before you apply it, or the polish will not stick as well.

To make sure your nails are grease-free, give your nails a quick wipe with vinegar or acetone first.

When you’ve applied your polish, avoid washing your hands in hot water as long as hygienically possible to allow it to really dry.

If you get a chip in an area where it can’t be buffed away, cover it with some nail art such as a stick-on rhinestone.

Mascara: Steam

IT’S the beauty essential that most women say they can’t live without. But with many mascaras of around 10ml costing between £8 and £11, using yours up half as quickly will save you a pretty penny or two.

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Pablo Rodriguez, from lllamasqua, says: “If your mascara is drying out, another quick fix is to use steam from a kettle to put moisture back into the product.”

To stay safe and avoid scalding your fingers, try using a pair of tongs to put it over some steam.

Pablo adds: “This will loosen the product and add some moisture back into the formula to give more applications before you need to buy a new one.”

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As far as possible, don’t buy waterproof mascaras as they contain less water and tend to dry out quicker.

Avoid pumping your mascara in and out of the tube, which will dry it out by forcing in air. Instead, twist the wand to make sure half doesn’t go hard and stick to the sides.