Ssshhh! The Best-Kept Budget Beauty Secrets

K-Middy = hair envy. (pic from pictures13.com)

1. .      Super shiny hair. The trick all beauty-industry insiders swear by for fabulously glossy locks is remarkably simple: after rinsing out your shampoo, turn the shower cold for a quick blast (or as long as you can bear it!) The cold water seals the follicles and smoothes the hair, resulting in instantly sleeker locks. In fancy spas it’s known as hydrotherapy, but is so easy to do at home. Kate Middleton, eat your heart out.
2. .      Instant blusher. If you’re feeling a bit under the weather or are caught out without your trusty make-up bag, the simplest thing you can do for an immediate healthy glow is to give your cheeks a gentle pinch. The blood will rush there, creating that “just-been-walking-in-the-countryside” flush.
3. .      Long lasting mascara. Increase the life-expectancy of your mascara by avoiding pumping the brush in the tube, as this dries it out. Instead, swirl the brush – this is much more effective at coating it too. 
4. .      Quick skin fix. This trick is hard to beat for cleaning your skin: heat some water in a pan, and when it’s boiling, carefully bend your face over the steam. Stay there for a few moments, and then quickly splash your face with cold water. The steam opens up your pores and the cold water flushes out any dirt and seals them again. Do this regularly and your skin will be as soft as a baby’s bottom in no time!
5. .      Fast-drying nail varnish. Let’s face it, how often do you smudge your newly painted nails when you were so certain they were dry? Apparently for nail varnish to be fully set, it takes 24 hours. But who has time to sit still for that long? A handy trick is to give your nails a blast under the cold water tap when they seem dry, which helps to seal them. 
6. .      Soft hands. Wrinkly, dry skin on your hands can be very ageing, so it’s essential to keep those babies moisturised! Make your hand cream work harder by doing the washing up (with rubber gloves on!) straight after moisturising. The heat intensifies the impact of the cream. Simples! 
7. .      DIY unique lipstick. If you’re bored of your current lipstick shades, this is a great student-friendly way of acquiring a new one: simply melt together the remaining stubs of your old lipsticks in a little pot using the microwave, and voilà: Your own one-of-a-kind lipstick, which can be rubbed on like a lip balm. If you don’t trust yourself to make you own lipstick, who better to instil your faith in than Kate Moss herself? The supermodel has developed a range of lipsticks for British high street fave, Rimmel, specially designed to reflect light for an irresistible pout. £5.49 at Superdrug.