10 New Hacks You Never Thought Could Make You Look Younger

We all need a helping hand now and then. When you’re working hard to live the best life possible, wouldn’t it be awesome if you discovered a useful tip or handy little trick to save you time (and money), help you break bad habits and correct lifelong mistakes?

These little nuggets of information and brilliant revelations are known as life hacks. Today, I want to share ten of my favorite fun and simple hacks to help you look amazing.

1. Indulge a Sweet Tooth

Let’s start with something which isn’t so much a hack, but rather a gentle reminder – swap desserts with fruit. I know this might sound obvious, but it often needs reinforcing because desserts are so tempting and delicious! As with everything you eat, you need to be aware of portion sizes, but munching on fruit is a healthier way to delight your sweet tooth than traditional, sugar-filled desserts. Here’s all you need to know about fiber.

2. Soothe Dry Skin

While it is not strictly true that honey is the only food that doesn’t go bad, we’ve long known that honey is magic, and I mean all the way back to ancient times when it was used to treat burns and wounds. So, what does this mean for us, as we search for helpful hacks to look good? Honey is a wonderful way to soothe dry skin patches. Spoon it onto bothersome areas, like elbows, and let the moisture-rich, anti-inflammatory healing properties go to work for 30 minutes, for smooth, soft skin. Just don’t forget it’s there – honey and sofas do not get on well!

3. Give Up Cream and Sugar

The health benefits (or drawbacks) of coffee is a prime topic for a blog post of its own. For those of us who love a good cup of Joe, but worry about including unhealthy additions like sugar and cream, try adding cinnamon to your coffee instead. Reasons to try it: Cinnamon has fewer calories than your usual sweetening combo, it’s full of antioxidants for reducing free-radical damage and slowing the ageing process, it may help fight diabetes, promotes healthy skin, as well as promotes many other positive benefits.

4. Whiten Your Nails

A variety of things can cause stained or yellowed nails, but whatever the reason, they’re not a good look and can be difficult to fix. Here’s a useful hack that will make things easier: First, buff your unpolished nails. Next, evenly coat them with whitening toothpaste and let it sit for about ten minutes. Finally, use a toothbrush or a nail brush to scrub your nails, before rinsing. Hey presto, brighter nails! You may need to repeat these steps again before you see a return to your regular nail colour.

Attention – There is a crucial difference between stained nails and a fungal infection! Learn how to spot the symptoms and consult your doctor if you are unsure.

5. Dry Your Nails Faster

While we’re talking about nails, who has the time to sit there and watch paint dry? Before you start on your home mani-pedi, place a full tray of ice cubes into a big bowl of cold water. When you’ve finished painting, spend three minutes air drying your nails and pop them in the ice bath for another three minutes. Voilà, your polish has hardened super fast! This method also prevents pesky air bubbles, which can happen if you sit by a fan, or just wave your arms around.

6. Get the Perfect Eye Makeup Line

You might already be aware of this next beauty hack favorite, but it’s the perfect time-saver. Unless you’re a makeup master with ninja-like liquid liner or eyeshadow skills, getting a perfect edge that matches on both eyes can be frustrating. The solution lies inside your wallet, with business or credit cards. Carefully hold the card against your eye, going from the outer edge up to the end of your brow. You can now use the edge of the card as a guide, giving you a precise line. If the effect is too harsh, use a clean brush to work on the edges until you get it spot on.

If you’re more of a visual learner, here’s a helpful demo video.

7. Make Your Own Healthy Sea Salt Scrub

Here’s a fun fact: Almost 95.6% of all water on Earth is salt water. Sea salt contains an impressive concentration of minerals, including calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium, which are all potential aids for protecting and restoring your skin.

An excellent way to reap these youth preservation benefits is by creating your own sea salt scrub. You will need to mix one part of your favorite oil (olive, almond and liquid coconut oil are all excellent choices) with two parts high-quality fine sea salt. Remember to make sure the salt flakes don’t have any sharp edges!

8. Use Black Tea to Soothe a Sunburn

As you may know, I’m the world’s biggest fan of green tea. Its health benefits are incredible, and with so many antioxidants and nutrients, it’s probably the healthiest drink on the planet! But it’s not just green tea that keeps us looking good.

If you’re searching for an easy, homemade remedy for treating sunburn, you can use black tea. Soak 3 to 4 tea bags in a jug of warm water. When the water has cooled completely and turned a nice, dark colour, let a clean, tea-soaked cloth rest on your sunburned skin until it’s dry. You can repeat this process as many times as necessary and the sooner you treat the sunburn the more effective it will be.

Attention – Not only does sun damage age you, but it is incredibly dangerous! The best way to beat sunburn is not to get burned in the first place. Do NOT apply any solution to your skin if it is broken or cracked. If you have a severe skin irritation, seek professional medical advice.

9. Use Coconut Oil as a Toothpaste

You can add this next hack to the growing number of uses for another favorite youth preservation substance, coconut oil. If you’re not a fan of the chemicals and artificial flavours in a lot of commercially available toothpaste, mix coconut oil with a little baking soda and brush away! Coconut oil contains whitening and antimicrobial properties. A word of warning, though, spitting coconut oil down the drain will probably cause a blockage.

Attention – When was the last time you went to the dentist? Get used to visiting your dentist every six months to clean up plaque, prevent tooth decay and extending the life of your teeth. Prevention is key to avoid serious mouth, gum or teeth problems, seek medical advice.

10. How to Heal Your Feet While You Sleep

My last hack for looking good is a quick and convenient way to give yourself an invigorating foot treatment, overnight. If your poor feet are feeling tired or looking cracked and rough, slather on peppermint moisturiser or create your own with your favorite lotion with a few drops of peppermint essential oil after a good 10 minute soak in lemon water and scrub with pumice stone or exfoliant before you call it a night. Alternatively, you can use olive or coconut oil for something even more natural. Put on some soft, cushioned socks and wake up to smooth and supple feet.

Please remember, life hacks like these are not here to replace the advice of a trained medical professional. If you are worried about anything related to your body or mental health, seek professional advice immediately.

I hope you have as much success and fun with these hacks as I do! I’d love to hear your amazing tips and tricks so please get in touch and share your knowledge.