Beauty

5 weird beauty tricks that actually work

we promise

A few years ago, the prospect of swishing coconut oil around in your mouth for half an hour or rubbing charcoal on your face may have seemed unfathomable. But, as we all know, popular culture (fueled by the internet, of course) loves a weird beauty trend. And while it may seem like you've tried out just about every strange trick there is, we guarantee there are a few more that will not only revolutionize your beauty routine, but also drive you to wax poetic about their powers on every social media platform there is. So, click through the gallery to find your next favorite strange beauty trick. 

USE LEMON AS DEODORANTSwiping a lemon slice across your armpits may feel strange, but have you thought about how many chemicals are in a typical stick of deodorant? Not only is citric acid a natural alternative, but it really works to kill odor-causing bacteria. The only downfall is that it will sting after shaving, so wait a few hours before applying to freshly shaved pits.

WASH YOUR HAIR WITH BEERThere are many ways to rinse your hair with beer, but first, science: The proteins, malt, sugar, and yeast found in beer boost your hair's natural volume, tighten cuticles, and make hair extra shiny. You can either shampoo hair, then pour a beer over it, and then condition, or forgo shampoo and conditioner altogether. We highly recommend the former if you don't want to smell like the basement of a frat house—but to each her own...

POWDER YOUR EYELASHES Apply a layer or two of mascara. Then, dip a Q-tip into translucent powder and coat the tops and bottoms of your lashes (from root to tip) in a thin layer. Add another coat of mascara to tint lashes and seal in the powder. Your lashes will double in thickness (at least) with virtually zero effort.

USE RED LIPSTICK TO COUNTERACT DARK CIRCLESIn a strange YouTube video that almost broke the internet, Birchbox's Senior Manager of Brand Development, Deepica Mutyala, used a red-orange lipstick to conceal her dark circles. Watch the video here to see the exact process in action. Be warned that the bright red shade doesn't work for all skin types—according to the experts at Birchbox, you should use a pink or purple shade for yellow and pale-brown undertones, a yellow hue for dark circles, and a light orange to conceal uneven tones.

TRY A PEPTO-BISMOL FACIALWe understand that it's a strange and uncomfortable thought to slather a bubblegum pink medicine intended to cure an upset stomach across your face, but this trick actually works. The bismuth subsalicylate and the beta hydroxy acid exfoliate skin, promote skin cell turnover, and unclog pores. The only downfall is that it is super-drying, so be sure to follow up with an ultra-hydrating moisturizer or facial oil.