1. Using Kool-Aid as Hair Dye
Back in the day, if you wanted fun, colorful hair but couldn’t afford a trip to the salon, a packet of Kool-Aid was your best friend. People would mix the powder with hot water, dip their hair in, and hope for the best. The result? Crunchy, artificially scented locks in shades like electric blue or cherry red. It seemed like a great idea at the time, especially since it was cheap and easy. But no one ever mentioned that it could stain your hair (and hands) for weeks shares PEOPLE.
Now, with all the gentle, semi-permanent hair dyes available, this hack seems downright ridiculous. Not to mention, soaking your hair in sugary artificial coloring was probably not the healthiest thing to do. The chemicals in Kool-Aid weren’t exactly designed for long-term wear, and many people ended up with brittle, damaged strands. Plus, who really wants their hair to smell like fruit punch for days on end?
2. Using Hairspray to Set Makeup
If you grew up in certain circles, you probably knew someone who swore by a good spritz of hairspray to keep their makeup locked in place. The idea was that since it could hold a gravity-defying ‘80s perm, surely it could keep foundation and eyeshadow from melting off. And technically, it worked—your face would stay in place all day. But at what cost? Hairspray is loaded with alcohol and other chemicals that were never meant for skin shares the US Sun.
These days, we have actual setting sprays that do the job without turning your face into a sticky, suffocating mask. Spraying hairspray directly onto your skin sounds insane now, considering it can cause breakouts, dryness, and irritation. Plus, inhaling all those fumes just to keep your blush from fading? Definitely not worth it.
3. Rubbing Lemon Juice on Your Skin for Lightening
It was the ultimate “natural” hack—rubbing lemon juice on your skin to fade dark spots or get that sun-kissed glow. The citric acid would break down melanin, and with a little sun exposure, you’d supposedly end up with radiant, even-toned skin. What people didn’t mention was how unpredictable it was. Some people got results, while others ended up with irritated, burning skin shares Everyday Health.
Now we know that putting lemon juice on your skin before going outside is a recipe for disaster. The combination of citrus and sunlight can cause phytophotodermatitis, a reaction that leads to burns and blistering. Plus, the extreme acidity can disrupt your skin’s natural barrier, making it even more sensitive. With so many safe brightening serums on the market now, this one should definitely stay in the past.
4. Using Toothpaste to Zap Pimples
Almost everyone tried this one at least once—smearing a dab of toothpaste on a pimple and praying it would shrink overnight. Since toothpaste contains ingredients like baking soda and hydrogen peroxide, it did dry out breakouts pretty quickly. But it also left the surrounding skin red, irritated, and sometimes even burned. Not exactly the flawless complexion people were hoping for.
Today, dermatologists warn against this method, saying it does more harm than good. Toothpaste wasn’t designed for skin, and many formulas contain menthol and fluoride, which can cause inflammation. With targeted acne treatments available that actually heal the skin, there’s no reason to resort to minty, stinging toothpaste anymore.
5. Sprinkling Baby Powder in Your Hair as Dry Shampoo
Before dry shampoo became a thing, people would shake baby powder into their roots to absorb oil. It worked well enough, but it also left hair looking dull, ashy, and, if you overdid it, a little too powdery. Plus, if you had dark hair, getting rid of that white residue was nearly impossible. It was like announcing to the world, “Yes, I haven’t washed my hair in three days.”
Now, we know that baby powder isn’t just inconvenient—it also comes with potential health risks. Many formulas used to contain talc, which has been linked to respiratory issues and other concerns. With modern dry shampoos designed to refresh hair without the ghostly residue, there’s no reason to keep raiding the baby aisle for a hair fix.
6. Tanning with Baby Oil
For years, people slathered themselves in baby oil and baked in the sun to achieve that deep, golden tan. The oil acted like a magnifying glass, intensifying the sun’s rays and speeding up the tanning process. The problem? It also drastically increased the risk of sunburn, premature aging, and even skin cancer. Basically, it was a shortcut to skin damage.
Nowadays, the idea of frying yourself in baby oil sounds downright reckless. With all we know about UV exposure, sunscreen is non-negotiable, and self-tanners can give the same bronzed look without the risk. Looking tan was never worth the peeling, painful burns that often followed.
7. Using Mayonnaise as a Hair Mask
This one was supposed to be the ultimate deep-conditioning treatment—coating your hair in a thick layer of mayonnaise and letting it sit for half an hour. Sure, it was packed with oils and proteins, but it was also, well, mayo. That meant a greasy, heavy mess that was nearly impossible to wash out completely. Not to mention the smell, which could linger for days.
While some people swore by it, the thought of smearing sandwich spread on our heads now is pretty unappealing. With so many hair masks designed for deep hydration (that don’t leave you smelling like a sub shop), this trick can stay in the kitchen where it belongs.
8. Shaving Your Face with a Dry Razor
At some point, someone decided that shaving your face with a dry razor was the secret to ultra-smooth skin. The idea was that it removed peach fuzz and exfoliated at the same time. And while it technically worked, it also left skin raw, irritated, and covered in tiny, painful nicks. Not to mention the inevitable razor burn that followed.
Today, if people want to remove facial hair, they have dermaplaning tools or professional treatments that are way gentler. Dragging a razor over dry skin is just asking for trouble. Moisturizing and using the right tools make all the difference.
9. Rinsing Hair with Beer for Shine
At some point, someone figured out that beer contains proteins that could supposedly strengthen hair and make it shinier. So people started dumping bottles of the stuff over their heads in the shower. Did it work? Maybe a little, but it also left hair smelling like a frat party. And if you didn’t rinse well enough, you risked sticky, stiff strands.
With all the shine-enhancing hair products available now, there’s really no need to sacrifice your beverage for beauty. Plus, who wants to explain why their hair smells like an old bar floor?
10. Burning Split Ends with a Candle
For some reason, people thought running the ends of their hair through a flame was a good way to get rid of split ends. The idea was that the heat would “seal” the damaged strands, preventing further breakage. In reality, it often left hair singed, uneven, and smelling like a burnt wig. Plus, if you weren’t careful, you could easily set your whole head on fire.
Nowadays, trimming your split ends with scissors is the obvious (and much safer) choice. There’s no need to risk second-degree burns for the sake of a haircut. Professional treatments and deep conditioning can also help prevent breakage, no open flames required.
11. Using Glue as a Pore Strip
Before store-bought pore strips were a thing, some people turned to school glue as a DIY alternative. You’d slather a layer of it on your nose, let it dry, and then peel it off, supposedly taking blackheads with it. It was cheap, satisfying, and seemed harmless at the time. But in reality, it didn’t actually do much besides irritate the skin and pull out fine hairs.
Now we know that glue was never meant for skincare. It can disrupt the skin’s barrier and cause unnecessary irritation, especially for those with sensitive skin. These days, exfoliating acids and proper pore treatments do a much better job without the mess—or the weird smell of Elmer’s.
12. Dabbing Perfume on Your Hair for Long-Lasting Scent
If you wanted your hair to smell amazing all day, a quick spritz of perfume seemed like an easy fix. It worked in the short term, making your strands smell like roses, vanilla, or whatever your signature scent was. The downside? Perfume is full of alcohol, which dries out hair like crazy. Over time, this trick led to brittle, frizzy strands and split ends.
Now, we have actual hair perfumes that are alcohol-free and designed to keep hair smelling fresh without the damage. Plus, dry shampoo and scented hair mists do the same job while keeping your locks healthy. Dousing your head in Chanel No. 5 is no longer necessary.
13. Exfoliating with Baking Soda
For some reason, baking soda became the go-to DIY face scrub for anyone looking for baby-smooth skin. People would mix it with water and rub it all over their face, believing it was a cheap and effective way to exfoliate. The problem? Baking soda is way too harsh for skin. It messes with the natural pH balance, stripping away moisture and causing irritation.
Now we know that gentle chemical exfoliants, like glycolic and lactic acids, do a much better job without the damage. Scrubbing your face with something meant for cleaning sinks and deodorizing fridges sounds completely absurd in hindsight.
14. Applying Vaseline as Mascara
For a budget-friendly alternative to mascara, some people used to swipe Vaseline on their lashes to make them look glossy and defined. It did give a bit of a sheen, but it also left lashes sticky and prone to attracting dust and lint. Plus, if you applied too much, you’d end up with greasy eyelids by the end of the day.
Now, with so many mascaras available—lengthening, volumizing, waterproof—there’s really no need to mess around with petroleum jelly. It’s great for moisturizing, but as a mascara substitute, it’s just messy and impractical.
15. Using Deodorant as Face Primer
If you were desperate to keep your makeup from melting off, you might have reached for a stick of deodorant. The logic was that since it prevents sweat under your arms, it should do the same for your face. And while it did help control shine, it also clogged pores and left behind a weird, waxy residue. Not to mention, rubbing something designed for armpits all over your face was never a great idea.
These days, there are primers made specifically for keeping makeup in place without suffocating your skin. Looking back, this hack seems completely unnecessary—especially since deodorant formulas were never meant for delicate facial skin.