7 Unhinged Beauty Hacks on TikTok That Actually Work
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Since its inception, TikTok has dished out some seriously weird beauty hacks and skin care trends. Some are just plain wrong or dangerous—like DIY mole removal or sunscreen contouring–and others sound completely crazy but end up being totally genius. “Unhinged beauty hacks” is the latest branding for these “weird, but so good” trends and we love that people are unearthing the strange but helpful things they do in front of their vanities. Here are some of the best we’ve seen yet.
Applying Diaper Rash Cream for an Overnight Glow Up
Diaper rash cream has long had many uses, but you can apparently use it as a thick, overnight face mask and wake up with glowing skin. Neera Nathan, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, approves this tip—after cleansing your skin, she says to apply a thick layer over your face and hit the hay, then rinse it off in the morning. Diaper rash cream contains zinc oxide, which can help heal a damaged skin barrier in a matter of hours, she explains.
Using Orange Lipstick as Color Corrector
Using red lipstick on your face anywhere besides your lips sounds like a quick path to clown town, but hear us out on this one.
“Swiping orange lipstick under your eyes before concealer can actually neutralize the appearance of dark circles—especially those with blue or purple undertones,” says Rupert Kingston, makeup artist and creative director at delilah Cosmetics. “The orange hue counteracts the darkness thanks to color theory, effectively cancelling out the discoloration.” Make sure to blend well and then layer your usual concealer on top.
Using Setting Spray or Powder Before Your Makeup
You always spritz makeup setting spray or dab on powder after you’ve finishing your look for the day, but a popular unhinged beauty hack says you could actually do the opposite. The idea is that it hydrates or mattifies your skin and gives makeup something to grab onto. It also creates a smooth canvas for a more flawless finish. After applying, give the product time to settle before moving onto foundation.
Heating Your Eyelash Curler for Gorgeous Lashes
This beauty trick uses the same concept as curling your hair. “Heat helps set the shape, and the same principle applies to your lashes,” Kingston explains. “Gently warming your eyelash curler with a lighter for a second or two—always test it on your hand first—can give your lashes a more dramatic and longer-lasting curl.”
The heat helps bend the lashes upwards more effectively, especially for those with straight or stubborn lashes. This one requires skill and patience, but this unhinged beauty hack checks out. Just remember: don’t overheat it, and always let it cool to a safe temperature before it gets anywhere near your eyes.
Shrinking Puffy Eye Bags With Hemorrhoid Cream
This one’s got an old school soul, but has made a recent resurgence thanks to the unhinged beauty trends movement.
“Sorry I know it sounds mad, and a little bit medical, but hemorrhoid cream has long been a backstage beauty hack,” Kingston tells us. “The active ingredients (like phenylephrine) help constrict blood vessels, which can temporarily reduce swelling and puffiness under the eyes. This makes the whole area look smoother, firmer, and less tired.”
Give it a patch test first to make sure your skin doesn’t react strongly, then use it as needed for important events. (Also, Kingston says to stick to unscented products.)
Doing a Buccal Fat Massage for Facial Contouring
You might have already tried gua sha and lymphatic drainage massages, which have been around for a long time. With the rise of discussions around buccal fat, some people are turning to buccal fat massages to contour their face (sans surgery).
Buccal fat massage is a facial massage technique that targets the buccal fat pads located in the lower cheeks, often performed from inside the mouth. It’s believed to help relieve tension, stimulate lymphatic drainage, and subtly sculpt the face for a more contoured appearance.
Reviving Shattered Powder Palettes with Alcohol
How many times have you bid a sorrowful farewell to a shattered powder palette? Don’t sweat it next time.
“This has happened so many times to me—that heartbreaking moment when your favorite powder hits the floor, but this quick fix really works,” Kingston says. “Add a few drops of rubbing alcohol to the broken compact, mix it into a paste, and gently press it back into place with a clean spatula or spoon.”
Let it dry overnight, and it will become solid again and totally usable. The alcohol evaporates completely, so it doesn’t mess with the formula or finish.