Unexpected Uses for Your Favorite Beauty Products

Sure, you rely on your old beauty standbys to be, well, old beauty standbys. But did you know that those faithful products can actually be used in more ways than one? Here, our top beauty two-fers.

The product: Hand lotion Traditional use: To soften and hydrate parched skin, not just on hands, but on elbows, cuticles, and forearms, too. Unexpected use: Frizz-fighter. Forget expensive serums and softeners -- to beat frizz on dry hair, simply smooth a bit of lotion over the fuzzy area. Instantly, the moisturizers in the lotion will smooth out frizz, leaving behind high shine.

The product: Lip balm Traditional use: To soothe chapped, cracked lips, and to provide a soft base over which to apply lipstick. Unexpected uses: Skin calmer and cuticle cream. Smooth balm (straight from the tube!) over cracked, scaly skin -- think around your nose when you have a cold, on cheeks before going out into the cold and wind, and over small patches of scaly eczema. Or sweep over dry, flaky cuticles to soften them.

The product: Perfume Traditional use: To scent your skin and clothes. Unexpected use: Hair freshener. Put a few drops of perfume in a bottle with distilled water. Shake bottle and spritz onto hair to revive and freshen after a night out or day at the office. Or, for a stronger freshening effect, spray perfume directly onto a brush, then gently brush through locks.

The product: Nail file Traditional use: To smooth jagged edges on nails, and to keep tips at a manageable length. Unexpected use: Callus remover. When you develop small, nonsensitive calluses on your palms (from playing tennis, moving furniture, or even vacuuming), use a medium-grit nail file to gently buff away the dead skin. Work on dry hands, and go gently -- you don't want to sand down too much skin!

The product: Conditioner Traditional use: To hydrate, soften, and make hair manageable. Unexpected uses: Hair cream and shaving solution. When in a pinch, use a pearl-sized drop of conditioner in place of hair cream or leave-in conditioner; it'll protect hair just as effectively. Also smooth on legs, underarms, and bikini area for a softer alternative to shaving cream.