A lip balm is an essential in every woman’s bag. This humble stick is the first thing that goes in, whether for work, shopping, or a casual afternoon out with friends. What’s it used for? That may seem like a dumb question, but the fact is that most of us are totally unaware of the multi-faceted magic of the compact chapstick that you take for granted. Yes, you use it to repair dry and cracked lips in the very cold or dry season. But, there’s a lot more you can do with it. Interestingly, you can use it to cover up makeup bloopers or swap it out for makeup entirely. Ready to know more? Read ahead.

You Can Moisturize More Than Just Your Lips

Should you check the list of ingredients on your lip balm label, you might spot some of these wonder items like cocoa butter, petroleum jelly, beeswax, shea butter, CBD oil, or hemp oil. Whatever may be the moisturizing agent in the product, it is designed to soothe and repair dry and damaged skin. While the lip balm works beautifully on your lips to soften them, you can also use it to repair nail cuticles. If you haven’t gotten around to going for a manicure, nourish with lip balm and massage gently. Once you’re done fixing your hands, direct your attention to your feet. Avoid getting blisters while you break in a new pair of shoes by rubbing lip balm on the insides. 

Ready to Talk About the Makeup Bloopers?

Smudged mascara is one of the most common makeup disasters. One slip of the wand can leave unsightly marks. You don’t need to redo your makeup to resolve the problem. Grab a Q-tip and dip it in a bit of lip balm. Dab away the stain, or apply on the mark and gently wipe with a tissue. The lip balm will soak up the smudge and make it easy to lift without damaging the makeup. 

Here’s another. Applying eye shadow can be tricky when you’re going for a dual-toned look. Using a lip balm as a primer on the eyelid is an excellent way to make sure that the eye shadow applies smoothly and stays on longer without spreading. You could also try dipping your makeup brush in the lip balm before applying the eye shadow for a richer color. 

Trying to Conceal a Zit? Use Lip Balm

Zits can be incredibly annoying when they emerge at the worst times ever. When you’re trying to cover up a breakout with makeup, apply a thin layer of CBD lip balm, and then work with the concealer. The compound is an excellent anti-inflammatory agent and will help soothe the redness while acting as a base to hold the concealer for a longer time.

Tame Fly-Away Strands of Hair

Unruly hair strands can ruin a perfect hairdo, and when you can’t seem to get that last strand to stay in place, bring out the best weapon—your lip balm. Dab a little on the hair and affix into place. And, yes. This trick works for eyebrow hair too, when you’re trying to pull off the more natural look. Apply with a fingertip, and then use the brow pencil to shape it and get thicker eyebrows. Remember to use the non-tinted lip balm and a spoolie to tame that strand. 

There’s More!

Did you forget to apply a highlighter? Or, maybe you’re looking for a dash of color for an on-the-spur lunch date. Reach for the tinted lip balm to get a lovely natural shine and glow. At the end of the day, if you run out of makeup remover, let your chapstick do the trick. 

And, you thought that lip balms only repair dry and cracked lips????