40 Weird But Genius Grooming Hacks You'll Wish You Knew About Sooner

Dr. Bronner’s should probably rename their pure castile soap “miracle in a bottle.” As the (abundant) writing on the bottle suggests, you can use this cult-favorite soap in 18 or more ways. A few of our favorite grooming uses? As a body wash, facial cleanser, shaving cream, makeup brush cleanser, makeup remover, or gentle shampoo. It’s made of just seven ingredients, including certified-organic olive, hemp, and jojoba oils, so it’ll leave your skin (or hair, or brushes) feeling soft and nourished, in addition to thoroughly cleansed. Better yet, this does-it-all soap will end up saving you money on a bunch of other, unnecessary products, and the 16-ounce bottle will last you ages (though it also comes in an even bigger, 32-ounce bottle, if you don’t want to have to restock for a whole year).

Though the prospect of brushing your teeth with a black powder may seem strange, over 10,500 Amazon shoppers who left a five-star rating or review for this activated charcoal teeth whitening powder (with an accompanying bamboo toothbrush) would encourage you to give it a try. Charcoal has long been considered an effective natural ingredient for promoting dental health, as both are thought to absorb bacteria and remove stains, while peppermint oil naturally freshens up your breath. Sourced from coconuts, the charcoal powder whitens as calcium carbonate works to strengthen your teeth and gums.

Made with keratin and biotin, this weird but genius nail product boasts eight benefits in one, including strengthening your nails, preventing peeling and cracking, smoothing ridges, and encouraging healthier nail growth. Plus, it’s infused with a sheer pink shade and dries down to a hard, protective coating, so you’ll reap all those good-for-nails benefits in addition to a pretty, long-lasting wash of color. Just call it a one-step “glazed donut” manicure.

If you haven’t yet swapped out your shaving cream for a shave oil — like this popular one from Tree Hut, made with jojoba oil, shea butter, monoi oil, and soothing oat kernel extract — you’re missing out on one of the simplest but most effective grooming hacks out there. Unlike your typical shaving foam, which can leave your skin feeling dry and stripped, a shave oil actually works to infuse your skin with moisture, so you’ll step out of the shower with plush, comfortable skin. In the process, the smooth, slippery oil offers a super-close shave and can reduce the risk of razor burn, ingrown hairs, and irritation. This version is also infused with a warm vanilla scent, so your skin (and your entire bathroom) will smell divine.

Yes, this is literally a soap for your brows — but this grooming hack, though a little weird, has long been a favorite among professional makeup artists. Available in a set of two portable tins, complete with four spoolies for application, this brow soap is an easy (not to mention cheap) way to achieve fuller, fluffier, and more defined brows; and since it doesn’t deposit any color, your brows will still look natural. And since this is specifically formulated for using on your brows (not to cleanse your skin), it won’t leave behind any white residue, like your typical, non-brow-specific soap can.

Here’s a brilliant fix for a common problem: How in the world to reach the middle of your back when you’re showering. This body brush has an extra-long, curved handle with an ergonomic grip, so you can get to all those hard-to-reach places without pulling a muscle (or worrying about it slipping out of your hand). Another weird-but-genius feature: The dual-sided brush head, equipped with a loofah on one end and bristles on the other, which you can use for both wet and dry brushing. Hang it up by the notch at the end of the handle after your shower or bath to let it dry.

Urea is likely one of the weirdest and most hard-working ingredients you haven’t heard of yet. Often used in Japanese and Korean skin care, urea is a compound found naturally in the body — more specifically, it’s produced by the liver and found in urine. (But not to worry: The urea in this Urea Cream is made in a lab.) From a skin care perspective, urea works as a highly effective exfoliant, moisturizer, and skin-softener, as it’s both a humectant (which draws in and retains water) and a keratolytic agent, meaning it breaks down the thick layer of keratin on the surface of your skin. Altogether, that makes this urea cream a brilliant fix for any rough or dry patches on your body, including tough calluses. The hero ingredient, present in a 40% concentration, gets a boost from aloe vera, safflower oil, chamomile, and tea tree oil, resulting in the softest heels (and other body parts) of your life.

Natural light is a must for flawless makeup application, but all hope isn’t lost if you don’t happen to have a mirror hanging near your window. Each of these two magnifying mirrors are equipped with three suction cups on the back, so you can affix them right to the window or wall, then take them down without ruining your paint or wallpaper. They’re portable, too — one measures just 6 inches in diameter, and the other is 4 inches — so you can slip them into your carry-on when you travel.

If sleek ballerina buns are your thing, you need this brilliant hair mascara in your life. The mascara-inspired wand seamlessly slicks down unwanted frizz, flyaways, strays, and baby hairs, and the waxy consistency keeps them in place for hours. More to love: The formula is made with a few good-for-hair ingredients, like jojoba oil and hydrolyzed silk, and the portable tube is easy to stash in your bag for on-the-go touch-ups. Plus, it applies and dries down clear, so it works for all hair colors.

With over 25,000 five-star ratings, shoppers can’t get enough of this BodyGlide Anti-Chafe Balm. It’s made with a blend of moisturizing and soothing ingredients to create a smooth, non-greasy protective barrier on your skin and prevent painful chafes anywhere on your body. The stick form makes it a portable option to stash in your gym bag or your purse on sweaty, sticky days, and application couldn’t be any easier.

Think of this heated cap as the hair equivalent to a facial steamer: The concentrated heat opens up your hair’s follicles, allowing whatever hair mask, deep conditioner, or leave-in treatment you apply to your hair to be able to better penetrate your strands. It’s easy to use, too — just microwave it for a minute, apply your treatment of choice to damp hair, and pop on the cap for 15 minutes. Or, for another genius tip, you can use it to set your curls.

Another genius hack for rough, cracked heels, this foot file made from etched glass comes in an ergonomic (and cute pink) shape with an indent for your thumb and a sizeable scrubbing surface. Thoughtfully made with glass that offers precise filing — no abrasive scrubbing here — this file removes dead skin buildup. Easily stow it with an accompanying sanitary cover once you’re done. “Smooth soft heels after one use,” one reviewer raved.

Over 21,000 shoppers have given this exfoliating brush a five-star rating for helping treat and prevent razor bumps and ingrown hairs. The brush’s simple design is built to deep cleanse, remove dead skin, unclog pores, and increase circulation — all the while also helping prevent razor bumps. “It really helps to remove dead skin cells,” one shopper wrote. “I have ordered multiple times and will continue to use this for ingrown hair prevention.”

This scalp brush may look like a creature you’d find at the bottom of the ocean, but in reality, it’s a brilliant solution for treating all manner of scalp concerns — the sturdy yet gentle silicone massager is designed to buff away dandruff, flakes, and buildup that can contribute to itchy, uncomfortable scalps, without creating knots in your hair. It comes with two interchangeable brush heads with varying bristle sizes, and since it’s silicone (and you can use it in the shower), it’s so easy to clean. Even if you don’t necessarily experience scalp discomfort, you’ll still love it as a bliss-inducing head massager.

Give yourself a quick, salon-worthy blowout with REVLON’s super-popular One-Step Volumizer, a tool that uses ionic and ceramic technology to style, dry and volumize your hair in, well, one step. Built with three heat and speed settings — and a cool option — the volumizer is one of those styling tools that does it all. Tufted bristles and nylon pins detangle and boost volume, and the ceramic material allows for better heat distribution to help prevent heat-damaged hair. “Last night I blow dried my hair in 10 minutes from dry,” one reviewer raved. “It was so easy to use and surpassed all my expectations.” The under-$35 price tag is just an added bonus.

For such a small tool, these facial razors boast a ton of uses, some less expected than others. These tiny, precise razors are perfect for shaping your eyebrows (the included precision cover helps with that) and removing unwanted hair anywhere on your face, but they also come in handy for dermaplaning — aka, sloughing peach fuzz and the top layer of old skin cells from your face, creating a clean canvas for flawless makeup application (or a soft, smooth makeup-free complexion). However you use them, the 100,000+ glowing reviews speak for themselves about this simple but genius beauty tool.

For an unexpected grooming hack that’s better for both the environment and your budget, consider swapping your single-use cotton pads for these reusable ones. Made of organic cotton and bamboo, these pads are just as soft and absorbent as disposable ones, but since they’re machine-washable, they’ll help you significantly cut down on waste (and wasting money on restocking them). This order comes with a little mesh laundry bag, too, so you don’t need to worry about losing them in the washing machine.

For a truly weird grooming hack, you can rinse your hair with pure apple cider vinegar — or, as a more palatable alternative, work this dpHUE Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse into your weekly hair-washing routine. The title ingredient works to balance your scalp’s pH level and gently exfoliate old skin cells, excess sebum, and product buildup, resulting in a soothed scalp and healthier, shinier, stronger hair. The addition of botanicals like lavender extract, argan oil, aloe vera, and fire tulip also boost hair’s hydration levels — and, importantly, prevent the concoction from smelling like salad dressing.

This smart little comb is a total game-changer if you like to straighten your hair — just section out your hair and follow the flat iron with the dual-sided comb, and your hair will be smooth and tangle-free (and your fingers protected from the heat). “This product is awesome!” one Amazon shopper raved. “Very sturdy, heavy plastic and very easy to use. Straightening my hair was so much easier and made it feel like it was done at a salon! Held straight for 3 days with minimum touch ups.”

Here’s a hack that’s maybe not so weird, but certainly of the genius variety. For an easy way to treat rough, bumpy skin — whether from keratosis pilaris, body acne, or run-of-the-mill dryness — try a salicylic acid body wash, like this one from CeraVe. It’s a perennial best-seller (in fact, it’s often sold out on Amazon), and works while you’re in the shower to promote smoother, softer skin. How, you might ask? The key ingredient, salicylic acid, gets to work deep inside your pores to remove the buildup of old skin cells, sebum, and keratin that may be contributing to body breakouts and bumps. Or, if you already have a body wash you love, achieve similar results with the brand’s exfoliating body cream from the same line.

Do like professional makeup artists and models, and use these no-crease clips to keep your hair out of your face as you go about your makeup and skin care routines. Unlike other headbands and clips, these won’t create dents or snags in your hair — and they’re great for bangs, too. Plus, don’t they look kind of chic (in a backstage-at-fashion-week way)?

This weird but genius dry shampoo takes things to the next level with its charcoal-infused formula. Charcoal, which is known for its purifying and detoxifying benefits, works to soak up excess oil and eliminate unwanted odors, while rice starch and white tea powder further refresh and soothe your scalp. Made by a brand that’s favored by professional hairstylists, it’s a must-try to prolong the time until your next hair-washing day.

This simple yet genius tool will make grooming unwanted body hair so much easier. For less than $20, you get two tools; on one side is a high-quality razor with a built-in moisturizing serum, and on the other is a bikini trimmer that you can use indefinitely — all you have to do is replace the battery from time to time. As for the razor, you can buy refills here (and this order will get you three refill razors to start), so this one-time purchase can last you years.

You’ve heard it before: One of the best ways to repair damage is to sleep with your hair coated in a conditioning treatment, coconut oil, or hair mask. But how does one do that without messing up their pillowcases? Simple. Just invest in some basic hair processing caps like these. For $10, you’ll get 100 caps (to last you a solid five years or so), so all you have to do is coat your damp hair in the treatment of your choice, pop one of these clear caps on, and go to bed. In the morning, rinse it out and experience your softest, healthiest hair ever.

With these peachy foot peel masks, there’s no need to spend hours buffing away at your feet with a pumice stone. To remove calluses and soften rough, dry skin, simply soak your feet in water for 10 to 20 minutes and slip on these sock-like booties for 90 minutes, allowing the hard-working ingredients to do their job. It’s important to note: the brand recommends doing a patch test on your skin before use. Within a week, all the old, dry skin will start peeling off, revealing smoother, healthier skin underneath. In each box, you get two pairs of booties, and they come in different scents like lavender, strawberry and avocado.

Here’s another effortless way to promote healthier hair. Instead of using a roughly textured bath towel, invest in a smaller microfiber hair towel. Not only does microfiber dry your hair faster, but it’s also a gentler material, so it can help cut down on damage and unwanted frizz. Another perk? These lightweight towels won’t weigh your head down, and they’ll stay secure on your head. Less than $30 gets your a four-pack of these best-selling towels.

Kick dry, chapped, flaky lips to the curb with this set of silicone exfoliating brushes. Not only will they help promote a smoother pout, but, in turn, they’ll allow your lipstick to glide on more seamlessly without clinging to any flaky patches (which can make your lipstick look better and last longer, too). Amazon reviewers report that they make your lips look plumper and pinker, too.

If unwanted roots are messing with your color, and you don’t have the time to be making frequent trips to the salon, use this root touch-up spray instead. But even if you’re not dealing with unwanted roots, this spray can be used to fake a fuller hairline (something hairstylists often do when creating updos on their clients). It’s a grooming hack you’ll wish you had known about sooner, and this one bottle will last you ages.

• Available shades: 8 (including auburn and blonde)

The secret to stopping razor burn, ingrown hairs, and bumps before they even have a chance to form? Tend Skin. If you’re someone who shaves or waxes, and you frequently experience the aforementioned forms of irritation, swipe this solution on your skin after your grooming session — you’ll be amazed by the results.

This best-selling shower towel is the Japanese grooming secret you didn’t know existed. It’s large enough to reach anywhere, including your back, and can be used to exfoliate your skin so it’s less likely to experience keratosis pilaris, body acne, and other forms of dryness and irritation. One Amazon reviewer raved, “[...] Goshi isn't just a cloth, a loofa, an exfoliator. I mean, it is, but it works so much better. It's not rough, yet it cleans and scrubs more completely than anything I've used. Not many products are a good value for money and work *perfectly*, but this is one of them. I can't recommend it enough if this is the kind of thing you're looking for.”

How cool is this nail treatment from British nail care brand Butter London? With a unique, jelly texture and appearance, it works to strengthen your nails as it coats them with a slightly sheer, gel-like color. The formula is 10-free and enriched with nourishing ingredients like vitamin E, keratin, tea tree oil, and diamond powder. Choose from four colors: purple, red, orange, and green.

• Available colors: 4

You likely know all about retinol serums and creams for your face — but did you know retinol body lotions exist, too? Similar to how the ingredient works to promote smoother, firmer, more even-looking skin on your face, it can do the same for the skin on your body. One of the best retinol body lotions is Paula's Choice Retinol Smoothing Body Treatment, which, in addition to vitamin A (aka retinol), is made with good-for-skin nutrients like vitamins E and C, nourishing shea butter, and luxurious evening primrose oil. Because of retinol’s exfoliating abilities, this lotion can help smooth out rough, bumpy skin and treat body breakouts, too.

This super-popular hair brush is making waves for a reason. With its unique, curved body and cone-shaped bristles, it works to painlessly detangle knots on both wet and dry hair, which is why parents are so obsessed with it. According to one Amazon reviewer, “This is the best brush I’ve ever used on my long, thick hair. Since I got this brush, detangling and brushing is so much easier, and it made me start to brush more frequently than before. In doing so, my hair and scalp have become much more healthy. I could see the difference within just a couple days of use. [...]”

Turns out diaper rash cream isn’t just for babies. Because it’s made with soothing zinc oxide, this cream can be used to help calm all sorts of irritation, from razor burn to redness. The formula is fragrance- and lanolin-free and safe for use on the most sensitive skin. A must-have for the whole family.

With over 80,000 five-star ratings, this is one of the most popular grooming tools on Amazon. Why? Well, it’s an epilator that removes small patches of unwanted hair completely effortlessly and painlessly. There’s no technique involved, no shaving cream or wax required, and no risk of cuts. Plus, according to its legion of fans, it really does work — and it costs just $20.

Whether you’re filling in your brows with pencil or going in with a pair of tweezers, these Anastasia Beverly Hills eyebrow stencils are here to help. In each set, you’ll get five unique, patented stencil shapes to suit any face. One Amazon shopper commented, “I love these. I have uneven brows and have searched high and low for good stencils that won’t make my eyebrows look drawn on. I’m pleasantly surprised with these and would definitely recommend. I’m not a makeup wiz but I’m able to hold the stencil on my eyebrow and easily fill them in.”

Using a dirty towel to dry your face can lead to breakouts, since unwashed, damp towels can be harborers of bacteria; and not everyone has the time to wash their towels multiple times per week. The solution? These completely biodegradable face towels, which are super soft and gentle, safe for sensitive skin, and not detrimental to the environment, either. They’re handy for hikers, campers, and on-the-go parents, too.

A dry shampoo at heart, R+Co’s Badlands Dry Shampoo Paste can be used to refresh your hair and soak up excess oil. But because it’s also a paste, it makes a great texturizing and volumizing product, too. While anyone can use it, it’s especially helpful for people with short hair — especially those who only wash their hair a couple of times a week. “Wow. What a life-changing product!” wrote one Amazon reviewer. “This dry shampoo paste has worked its way into my daily routine because of the amount of volume it gives my hair. I rub it onto my fingertips and then apply it to the roots of my hair for instant volume. The product also holds up throughout the workday. Worth every penny!”

Whether you’re an avid camper or hiker, or don’t have time to shower after low-impact workouts at the gym, these no-rinse body cleansing wipes will be helpful to have on hand. They’re also great for keeping in your car or bag if you’re frequently on the go, travel a lot, or have young kids. Get 12 packs of 10 wipes for less than $35.

To achieve healthier hair and skin, all you have to do is swap out your pillowcases for these satin ones — and they cost just $10. Super soft and gentle, they help reduce friction, leading to less breakage, tangles, and knots (in your hair) and less breakouts and irritation (on your skin). Impressively, they’ve garnered over 150,000 five-star ratings on Amazon thus far.

• Available colors: 22