Beauty tools that are total game changers (and are under €20)

So, as if a myriad of product options was not enough, we are also constantly bombarded with the latest and most high-tech beauty tools and gadgets that will “totally change everything”.

But do they really?

I am half-skeptical. Even though I have an army of make-up brushes, I still tend to use my three favorites. I can’t recall the last time I used my curling iron, in fact, I don’t even know where it is. My eyelash curler was used a whopping three times at least before being retired into the back of my drawer. Also, can a hair dyer really be worth  $400? I doubt it. And I’m not sold at all on those expensive pulsating, massaging, exfoliating machines for home use. That’s what a spa is for.

However, during the last few years, I did manage to try and fall in love with a couple of beauty tools, which I can safely say are really worth the money.

They are small, simple, don’t break the bank, but are incredibly effective.

They really make a beauty routine better, and also, a lot more fun.

The BeautyBlender

It’s quite hard to find a makeup article nowadays that doesn’t feature this small makeup gadget. It took me a little time to be convinced to try it, just because I remembered those triangle makeup sponges from my teenage years that absorbed a triple amount of foundation that otherwise would have been needed, but in exchange at least weirdly smeared the rest on my face. Well, this blender couldn’t have been farther from those.

Whenever you read that it helps make your foundation or makeup (it can be used with primers, creams, and powders as well) flawless, believe it. It really does. I’m not sure it’s because of the shape or the fact that you have to wet it before use, but it really works.

I know there are a lot of dupes available now, but I haven’t tried any of those yet. I would say it’s worth trying the original first, so that you know what you should expect and then maybe go on and test the others. And if there’s another with the same effects, but for half the price, let me know as well.

The Dry Brush

Even though dry brushing seems to be a new rage in the beauty sphere, it actually is a centuries-old technique used to exfoliate and massage the skin, boost circulation and help stimulate lymph flow.

Although it won’t magically make cellulite disappear, (cue in tears), it does make a noticeable difference in skin texture.

Beware that at first, it might not be a very pleasant experience. The skin will tingle a little, or it can redden, but it will get used to it after a couple of sessions. Use it before a shower, in long, large sweeps starting from your legs, ALWAYS towards your heart. Continue with circular motions in the abdomen and back, but don’t use it on your chest, the skin is too sensitive there. Finish with long strokes on your arms. Make sure to get a brush with natural, and not synthetic, fairly firm bristles.

The Ice Roller

I can really only speak in superlatives about this one. Anyone who has dark circles know that there are sadly very few things you can do to improve those (that’s cruel genetics). The ice roller is one of those few things. I use it every day, first thing in the morning, especially during the summer. It helps with swelling and puffiness, immediately freshens the skin, tightens pores, and calms irritations. Short-term benefits: an overall smoother skin. Long-term benefits: I am fairly convinced (but at least hopeful) that the massaging part will help with elasticity issues and boost collagen production. I would recommend the ones with the stainless steel head.

The Konjac Sponge

Probably the most exotic-looking (and sounding) tool in the arsenal. It’s a natural product made from the fibers of the Konjac plant, native to Asia. It has been used in Korea, Japan and China for over 1,500 years as medicine, food, a dieting aid and as a beauty product. It’s completely natural and thus biodegradable, which is an important factor as their lives are pretty short (2-3 months the maximum).

It’s basically the gentler version of the dry brush, it exfoliates and massages at the same time, only you must use this with water (wet it until the otherwise hard sponge becomes soft).

There are a couple of versions of the sponge, depending on the type of clay it has.

I’m not sure I’m totally comfortable with the face version, just because I don’t like to overexfoliate it, but for the body, it’s definitely a winner.

The Wet Brush

The tool that has been unfairly left out of the picture, just because it would have needed a serious cleansing first and I was losing the light for the photos.  But this just proves that it is heavily in use. I haven’t met another brush that does detangling so effectively. It really, really makes a difference. It somehow even prevents frizz and makes the hair shiny and smooth.

What are your favorite beauty tools?

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