Household THERAPY

Toothpaste on pimples, beer for hair! Cues to better health might just be at your home

1 TOOTHPASTE THE FIX: Dries out spots
HOW IT WORKS: Models have known for years that if a nasty, red pimple appears on their face the day before a shoot, the best cure is to zap it with a blob of toothpaste.
    Toothpaste contains an antibacterial agent to kill plaque, so the theory is it may kill the bacteria responsible for spots. But be careful if you have sensitive skin. It can cause irritation. 2 SODA BI-CARB THE FIX: Whitens teeth
HOW IT WORKS: Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate, a naturally occurring mineral that is a great cleaner.
    Simply sprinkle a teaspoon on your toothbrush and clean teeth as usual. The gentle abrasive action will polish your teeth, removing dirt and stains, and giving you fresh breath, too.
3
BEER THE FIX: Hair shiner and
de-frizzer
HOW IT WORKS: The malt and hops in beer are packed with protein, which coats the hair, adds volume and smoothes damaged cuticles.
    Beer also contains vitamin B, which helps condition hair, while the natural sugars create shine. Shampoo and rinse hair as usual, then pour a bottle over it. Work through and rinse with lukewarm water.
4
MAYONNAISE THE FIX: Emergency skin
cleanser
HOW IT WORKS: Fans apply a layer as you would a normal cleanser, massage it in and then rinse thoroughly.
The vegetable oils and egg yolk are supposed to soften skin, while the lemon juice has astringent properties to clean and tighten pores.
5
TOMATO KETCHUP THE FIX: Removes green
from blonde dyed hair
HOW IT WORKS: It corrects highlights gone green from swimming pools.
    Apparently, hair turns green due to oxidation chemicals in the pool and the tomato sauce acts as an antioxidant restoring
    normal hair colour. Advocates apply ketchup all over the hair and massage it in, leave it for 20 minutes and then wash it out thoroughly.
—Daily Mirror