DIY Beauty Hotel Hacks

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I love to travel--I've been all over the US and have visited 19 countries (so far!), and sometimes things don't go as planned. We've all been there: luggage gets lost, flights get cancelled, bad weather happens, and more unexpected events have popped up, no matter how prepared and well-packed we are. And so over the years I've figured out little tricks here and there to help. Enjoy my Beauty Hotel Hacks below:

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F A C E & B O D Y

• For exfoliating facial scrub, use a packet of sugar and 1 vitamin E capsule mixed together. Scrub away the grime and rinse. 
• To instantly soften skin, get a cut lemon (I get mine from the hotel bar or a restaurant), and rub on elbows or knees. The rough spots will disappear, thanks to the acid in the lemon. Add a packet of sugar for an exfoliating scrub.
• Plain oatmeal mixed with a little water is wonderful at relieving itchy skin. It can be used as an exfoliant, too.
• Use tea bags and tie under tub faucet for an easy DIY bath treat.
• Take plain Greek yogurt from the breakfast bar and use on face to relieve tired skin. Great for sunburns, too.
• Keep baby wipes in the mini-fridge for an extra refreshing feel after a day of traveling in the heat. I've also done this with a wet washcloth. It's a great way to wake yourself up, too!
• Use baby wipes as a makeup remover.
• Try dabbing on Mylanta to soothe razor burn, rashes, or sunburn (make sure skin isn't broken). 
• Try Milk of Magnesia as a primer for oily skin.
• Use shadow or bronzer as a liner in a pinch. 
• Use powder bronzer as a shadow.
• As a treatment, dab some Pepto-Bismol on a zit. After 30 minutes, wash off.
• Crush a couple of aspirin (use the glass in your hotel room) and add a few drops of water to make a paste. Dab on zits, leave overnight, and rinse away in the morning. Bonus hack: this can also be used as a scrub!
• If your zit has popped, squirt some Visine onto a cotton ball/tissue and dab onto the zit. The zit will shrink and the redness will be gone. Cover with a skin-matching cover up.
• Raid the mini bar--pour iced tea on cotton pads and leave on eyes 20 min. to relieve tired eyes.
• An oldie but a goodie: use hair conditioner or lotion for shaving.
• Chapstick (plain only): rub on heels to prevent blisters, rub on a stubborn zipper, tame unruly eyebrows, instant moisturizer for elbows or knees, or eye makeup remover in a pinch.
• Depending on the brand/type of deodorant you have, deodorant is great at stopping nicks from shaving.
• For a fizzy soak (I like this on my feet after a day of traveling) pop some Alka Seltzer (effervescent antacid) in the tub. The bubbly goodness will have you feeling relaxed in no time!

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H A I R

• This is crazy, but it works! If your scalp is oily, and you're without dry shampoo, try a packet of plain oatmeal on your roots. Just massage in and brush out. And no, it doesn't leave oats in your hair.
• Another idea born out of desperation/boredom: Tear up strips of a paper bag. Wrap around hair, like a hair roller. Roll up to ears, knot and spritz hair with water. Let dry and unwrap for instant curls. Socks will curl hair too!
• I've used mascara, shadow, and bronzer to hide my grey roots. Check out more Ways to Hide Greys here.
• Go to the hotel (or any) restaurant. Ask for a cup of olive oil--I've never had anyone charge me for it. Heat in the microwave in your room until warm (or use one in the hotel). Pour the warm oil on your hair and wrap your hair in a towel. Leave at least 30 minutes before shampooing out.
• Leave your diffuser at home! Put a thin sock (like a dress sock) over the nozzle of your hair dryer and dry hair as usual.
• Use the tiniest bit of lotion as a defrizzer if you're in a jam.
• After shampooing hair, pour tea on your hair to make it shiny. Rinse out.
• Use a shower cap when doing a hair mask or treatment--I take these home with me, too!

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C L O T H E S

• Dry shampoo is not only great for second day hair, but helps take the stink out! Spray some on armpits of shirts or in stinky shoes. Let dry before wearing.
• Use those shower caps to cover your dirty shoes! Rain, dirt, and mud happens, but that doesn't mean your clothes or suitcase should get dirty. 
• Use a razor to remove pills off of shirts/sweaters.
• Use as a baby wipe to get rid of deodorant stains.

PS: Check out my Starbucks Beauty Hacks!

While all tips have been used for years by me, please avoid any ingredients if allergic or sensitive.