Skip or Steal: 8 DIY Beauty Life Hacks Tested

We all want to look our best, but when your beauty routine steps start inching into the triple digits, we all start to get a little leery. Enter the realm of DIY--cheap, "easy" alternatives designed to help you get your face game on point. Nowadays, there's a DIY for just about everything--but is it worth the hype? We've tested 8 of the most popular DIY beauty hacks, and for better or worse, the results are quite telling...

Food Oils as a Facial Moisturizer

SKIP! You've heard the whole spiel time and time again, natural oils will do wonders for your skin--which explains why everybody is jumping on the natural beauty wagon. But what you haven't heard is some may actually do more harm than good. If you're oily or acne prone, be sure to stay clear of olive, almond, and coconut oils on your face--these natural oils tend to be highly comedogenic. A big no-no, especially if you're susceptible to clogged pores. Olive, almond, and coconut oils are okay for use on the body and hair...on your face, use a quality facial oil blend intended for that specific purpose. We love Herbivore's line of quality facial oils to keep skin glowing and in tip-top shape.

Charcoal Peel-Off Glue Mask

STEAL! If you do a quick YouTube search, your query will be met with countless tutorials for this crafty DIY face mask. Concocted from a mix of a rudimentary mix of activated charcoal powder and school glue (yes, Elmer's Glue!); the Charcoal Peel-Off Mask promises to shrink enlarged pores and remove excess sebum. Just mix, slather on face, set for 30 minutes, and watch with cringe worthy intrigue as you peel those pesky blackheads away. (Side note: We have found that Biore strips are more effective, but this will work in a pinch.) Plus, if the whole 'glue-on-your-face' thing is still giving you pause, rest assured that school glue is 100% non-toxic--so slather away.

Toothpaste on Pimple

SKIP! Remember the days long before Neutrogena and Mario Badescu, when your best line of defense against an angry pimple was a quick dab of Crest? This one might be a bit extreme, but when you're running dangerously low on your more legit spot treating methods, a little bit toothpaste looks a lot more attractive. But is this time-tested beauty hack doing us more harm than good? With active ingredients like baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, menthol, essential oils, and triclosan--you're right to bulk. Turns out, the intense drying effect we used to is actually just a placebo effect. While the toothpaste is drying out the pimple, it's will also leaving irritation and redness in its place--kind of counterintuitive. Hands off and leave the spot treating to the real chemists.

Petroleum Jelly to Grow Lashes

STEAL! Want a cheaper alternative to Latisse? The secret to achieving a long and lush fringe could be sitting in your medicine cabinet. Petroleum jelly has long been touted as a mainstay for treating burns and dry skin, but did you know the versatile substance can also work wonders in stimulating hair growth? Amp up your lash game by applying a thin of layer of petroleum jelly to the base of your lashes nightly. With faithful use, you should see measurable results in about three month's time.

Apple Cider Vinegar as Toner

STEAL! If your skincare routine is still lacking a toner, you're seriously missing out. Luckily, a great natural toner might be closer than you think. Apple cider vinegar, or ACV, may be a common household ingredient, but it's no secret to the beauty world. Known for its amazing restorative properties, a twice daily dose of AVC can improve blood circulation, balance skin's pH levels, and reduce redness and irritation--how's that for a multitasker?

Scotch Tape Liner-Stencil

SKIP! Chances are, unless you're living under a beauty deprived rock, you've seen the ol' scotch tape eyeliner trick--great for sharper wings, not so great for preventing crow's feet and wrinkles. While your cat-eye may looking great for the day, you're digging your hole into a much bigger beauty dilemma. The skin under our eyes is hypersensitive and more susceptible to wear and tear, especially when subjected to constant pulling and tugging. But if you can't bear to part with your sharp wings, we recommend pressing the tape to your fingers a few times to dull the tackiness. This preventative measure will ensure sharp lines, without excessive pulling and tugging.

Heating the Eye Curler

STEAL! Lashes falling by midday? This beauty hack promises to remedy that situation pronto with a little heat action. To get a stronger, longer lasting curl, lash experts recommend briefly heating up your eyelash curler with a hairdryer--the blast of heat helps shape and lock in the curl. No extensions or falsies needed. A forewarning, we don't recommend this one for everyday use, as the heat can damage your lashes over time--whip this tip out for special occasions when your lashes need to stun.

Bleaching Underarms with Lemon Juice

SKIP! Dark armpits are not cute, sadly, they're a fact of life. If you're looking for a natural way to lighten your dark pits, Pinterest swears by the lemon-juice bleaching method. Due to its natural bleaching properties, lemon juice is commonly used on skin to help lighten hyperpigmentation and scars. Unfortunately, dermatologists warn against using this method. Turns out lemon juice can actually make your dark underarms worse--instead, they recommend opting for a prescription strength lightener like Retin-A.