Double duty dynamos

Psst! Some of your favourite beauty stalwarts are secret multitaskers with dual identities. Well, who doesn’t like getting two for the price of one?

nexot- FROMM dayadseolisvery to Amazon’s Alexa, anything that speaks speedy convenience in our increasingly manic world is an instant win. In the realm of beauty, this means multipurpose heroes that save you time, money and space (/sanity). The best part? You probably own most of them already.

SUPER SUDOCREM

With its clinically proven formula – which hasn’t changed in 85 years – good ol’ Sudocrem works for almost any skincare complaint going, and for an agreeably measly £2.99 a pot. Predominately known for treating rashes, dry skin and eczema, anhydrous hypoallergenic lanolin (emollient to you and me) works to soothe and soften skin, while zinc oxide prevents moisture loss by creating a protective seal (which helps heal wounds, cuts and burns). Day job aside, it also has a nifty knack of helping in the fake tan department. Jules Von Hep, expert tanner and co-founder of Isle of Paradise, suggests applying it along your hairline and over finger and toenails before you bake. ‘It acts as the perfect barrier so no tan can penetrate through to skin, and is especially ideal for blondes to avoid telltale orange marks around the face,’ advises Jules.

VERSATILE VASE L INE

Thought Vaseline has had its day? Pah! A staggering 470 million units of those unassuming blue pots (£1.65) were sold last year alone. The petroleum jelly formula was originally created to soothe and hydrate chapped lips by creating a barrier between cells, locking in moisture and speeding up recovery. Now? It’s the ultimate transformative tool to have in your make-up bag. ‘Blend over the top of any solid colour make-up – such as lipsticks, cream blushers and eyeshadows – to dilute the tones and create a range of finishes and depths of colour,’ recommends make-up artist and backstage regular Lynsey Alexander. ‘Better yet, add the clear shine straight on to eyelids, cheekbones and collarbones to act as an invisible highlight for the illusion of healthy, luminous skin.’

CLEVER COCONUT O IL

In recent years, coconut oil (specifically the raw, virgin variety) has become a masterof-all-trades that countless celebrities and natural-beauty enthusiasts swear by. Emma Stone uses it to take off her make-up, Miranda Kerr adds a spoonful into her green tea every morning and Kourtney Kardashian calls on it to keep her hair shiny and soft. Instead of using it purely in place of other oils, opt for a once-a-week pre-shampoo conditioning treatment, letting the natural fatty acids and vitamins E and K work their magic. Apply from roots to tips with a wide-toothed comb, leave for an hour and wash as usual for super-soft conditioned hair.

HAIRSPRAY HERO

Where would we be without hairspray? It has our back (and barnet) covered for basically every bad-hair day. And its talents don’t stop there. With an innate ability to lock fibres in place, it also works wonders on your brows. ‘I love using hairspray to quickly set eyebrows,’ says Lynsey. ‘Simply spray directly on to a soft toothbrush and sweep through the hairs to set in place.

BRIL L IANT BLENDERS

Since dropping in 2007, Beautyblenders have fast become the go-to tool for professionals and novices alike. Blending, sculpting, stippling – the egg-shaped sponge (£16) can basically do it all. When it comes to your face, experts recommend using it slightly damp and applying with a ‘bouncing’ action to achieve a seamless result. ‘For a sheer hint of translucent eye colour, dab into your shadow and swipe straight over your lids,’ suggests Lynsey. Its skill at evenly distributing powder particles also makes the Beautyblender an ideal solution for concealing roots and greys between hair dye-jobs. Simply dab into root concealer and sponge on to roots.

DO- GOOD DEODORANT

Underarms aren’t the only place where a perspiration-prevention stick can come in handy. ‘The antiperspirant in deodorant is a great hack to prevent bleeding from razor cuts,’ says cosmetic dermatologist Dr Sam Bunting. ‘Just apply a small amount on a cotton bud and place on the area to stop the blood flow.’ Why? Most contain aluminium chloride, which constricts blood vessels and can clot a small skin nick. Clever.