The world, and the internet, is full of beauty tips, from the fancy (like trying out Botox) to the simple (like washing your face) to the crazy (like vampire facials). It can be… a lot to take in. Everywhere you look, from social media to magazine covers, you’ll find someone trying to push a new #sponsored product or tell you what finally changed their skin.
But, over the years, I’ve really learned that the simplest things are often the most effective. There’s just something about an easy beauty tip that tends to overhaul your routine—and, it’s all about finding beauty advice that actually works for your skin and your lifestyle.
My favorite beauty tips are all a little weird, and I like it that way. (Shocker? Not really.) While there’s definitely a place for expensive night creams and experimental facials, there’s always something to be said for straightforward, practical hacks to make skincare easier and more approachable.
You’ll definitely find some #sonjawasinfluenced products on my bathroom shelves, but not too many. I’ve nailed down my beauty routine to fit my sensitive skin, and it doesn’t always involve a new product or cosmetic appointment. Here are my favorite 5 weird beauty tips that I can all but guarantee will do the trick:
01. Use Baking Soda As A Face Exfoliant
Dry skin has always been a struggle for me, and where I live doesn’t exactly help things. I grew up in Maryland, where the average temperature during winter is right at freezing, and the average wind speed is way higher than I’d prefer. Since I can’t always avoid New England winters and traveling around to different climates so much doesn’t help me – dry skin’s something I know I’ll always have to deal with—but it took me a long time to figure out how to deal with it.
I’ve purchased the crazy expensive exfoliators, I’ve laid down for the moisturizing facials, I’ve tried facial steaming, and I’ve done pretty much everything that magazines and dermatologists, and social media influencers have told me to do when it comes to dry skin. Then, I realized that the ultimate fix to my dry skin was sitting in an open, orange box in my refrigerator labeled with Arm & Hammer on the side.
Friend, it’s baking soda. Trust me—the exact thing that fluffs up your brownies is exactly what you need on your face.
While you don’t need to scrub the mess out of your face with baking soda—or with anything for that matter—it is a great, inexpensive exfoliant for your face. Physical exfoliation, done gently, is key to getting dead skin cells off of your face to elevate your glow, and baking soda is a relatively easy way to do it.
My Favorite Baking Soda Exfoliation Recipes:
- 1 T baking soda + ½ T coconut oil
- 1 T baking soda + ½ T extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 T baking soda + ½ T your favorite moisturizer
- 1 T baking soda + ½ T raw honey
- 1 T baking soda + ½ T water
Apply the exfoliator to cleansed skin in gentle, circular motions with your fingertips, and rinse with warm water before moisturizing.
02. Do Handstands To Get Circulation To Your Face
Okay, hear me out here: Handstands are *the* key to anti-aging while keeping it fun. You’re probably reading this with a confused expression on your face, but I promise! Doing handstands sends blood flow straight to your face, which gives you an instant (temporary) facelift.
If you’re unsure of your balance skills, the yoga pose downward dog has the same effect. When you really think about it, it makes sense. By turning your body upside down, you’re bringing fresh blood right up to your head, which improves oxygenation and improves youthfulness. Also… it makes you feel like a kid again. Yes, please!
More Ways to Up Circulation to Your Face:
- Ice, ice baby: Ice rolling feels great on a puffy face, and improves your circulation by restricting blood flow and then allowing it to rush back in.
- Gua sha fo’sho: Gua sha is an ancient technique that literally involves you scraping your face with a stone gua sha tool, and it’s magical for draining lymph and puffiness. (And I promise it doesn’t hurt. It actually feels kinda… good?)
- Who needs a massage therapist?: You can also do some magic on your face by employing your fingers to massage your face, going in sweeping, upward motions.
- Get a lil’ sweaty: Did you know that a great, sweaty workout can improve your skin? Just a couple of minutes of cardio brings blood flow to your skin and ups your circulation.
03. Coconut Oil For EVERYTHING
While expensive designer beauty products like luxurious moisturizers are fun and all… coconut oil is my holy grail. It’s antimicrobial and moisturizing, and it’s more multi-purpose than a great pair of jeans. Seriously. I use it in so many steps of my beauty routine that I go through an embarrassing amount of tubs of it… It acts as my conditioner, my shaving cream, and even my makeup remover.
The Top Ways I Use Coconut Oil in My Beauty Routine:
- Hair mask: Coconut oil is my cure-all for dry hair, whether I put a teeny bit of it on my ends or leave it on my head overnight for a deep conditioning mask. It takes a little extra effort to rinse out (definitely double-shampoo), but the results are worth it.
- Makeup remover: Do you ever feel like you can’t find a makeup remover that actually… removes your makeup? That’s another way coconut oil comes in the clutch, my friend. It acts similarly to a cleansing balm (for a fraction of the price), and completely dissolves even the most waterproof of mascara.
- Oil pulling: Oil pulling—swishing coconut oil around your mouth for 20 seconds or so—might sound gross, but it also works really well for whitening teeth and leveling up your dental hygiene and teeth health.
- Shaving “cream”: If you want the softest legs you’ve ever had in your entire life, bring coconut oil into the shower and introduce it to your razor. Be careful, though: It can make your shower floor super slippery!
04. Mix Superfoods Like Fish Collagen Into Your Coffee
I’m all about taking your vitamins and eating healthy foods when you can, and that can also extend to the goodness that you stir into your coffee. While I get that the hazelnut coffee creamer on your grocery store shelf might *taste* good, it’s probably loaded with chemicals and less-than-natural ingredients that won’t do you any favors.
But, if you’re a hazelnut creamer must-drinker (or a black coffee purist), trust me when I say that there are TONS of superfoods you can stir into your coffee or tea that are completely tasteless—like fish collagen, my coffee superfood of choice—and will give you a big boost. It might sound funky, but it isn’t, I promise! You literally cannot taste it, and the addition can improve your skin, your hair, your nails, and even the way your body recovers from a tough workout. Fish collagen in particular, vs beef or poultry-derived collagen, is especially good because its bioavailability (meaning your body can actually absorb and use it) is 1.5x higher than its other animal counterparts. I’ve used it daily for YEARS and my skin glows.
Other Superfoods to Add to Your Coffee:
- Make it Bulletproof: Millions of people swear by Bulletproof coffee in the mornings, which combines ghee or grass-fed butter, MCT oil, and coffee to create a satiating, energy-pumping drink that’s great for intermittent fasters.
- Add in a dash of cinnamon: Cinnamon tastes delicious, lowers blood sugar, is packed with antioxidants, and reduces inflammation.
- Maca, maca, maca: Stirring a spoonful of maca into your morning joe can decrease skin inflammation, help boost your collagen levels, and give you a nice dose of antioxidants.
05. Show Your Pearly Whites
My last tip? My friend, show your teeth. Smile. You are WORTH it, and it’ll make you feel better than all of the beauty tips in the world… combined. Smiling is actually proven to boost your happiness, make you look more attractive, and lower your stress levels… and, it’s completely free.
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While I’m all about a good beauty tip, I’m also a big believer that nothing matters without a healthy dose of self-confidence right alongside it. Embrace all of the things that make you beautiful (there are a ton), and remember: who better than you? No one.
