We all have our weird little beauty secrets that help us to look great, and sometimes the strangest tips and tricks are the ones that work the best. If you’ve tried every skin cream and shampoo under the sun and are searching for something new, check out these unconventional beauty fixes that can solve your beauty problems.

1. Fade scars with raw potato

Many of us suffer from skin blemishes and acne to some extent from time to time, and these can often leave red marks and scars on your skin long after the blemish has gone. To help fade red marks and facial scars, try treating your skin with potato juice. It may sound odd, but potatoes contain enzymes which can help to promote healthy skin and reduce scarring, and they also come at a budget-friendly price. To try this treatment, simply cut a potato in half then rub it all over the relevant area, letting the potatoes juices cover the skin.

2. Fix fake tan mishaps with baking soda

So, you were just after a little bit of a glow and now you’re looking a slightly streaky shade of orange... Don’t panic! Glowing, streak-free skin is still within your reach. To fix a bad fake tan, make yourself an exfoliator out of baking soda (or bicarbonate of soda) and water. Mix the ingredients to form a paste and then rub all over your face and body in circles to lighten your tan and help remove any streaks.

3. Prime oily skin with laxatives

Laxative medicine may not be the first thing that springs to mind in your quest for perfect skin, however if you’re hoping to combat oily skin and leave your face looking matte then Milk of Magnesia – a liquid laxative and antacid medicine – could be the answer to all your problems. After cleansing and drying your face, apply a little Milk of Magnesia using a cotton wool ball and allow it to dry on your face. You can then apply makeup over the top for a smooth, oil-free complexion.

4. Banish greasy locks with flour

Dry shampoo has become a staple in many of our beauty bags for those hectic days when we don’t have time to wash and style our hair. However, if you’ve ran out of dry shampoo or fancy a cheaper alternative, the good news is that flour and cornflour (cornstarch) can also help to alleviate greasy roots. To instantly revive and add body to your hair, sprinkle a small amount of flour onto the scalp and work into the roots, then brush through to ensure all excess flour has been removed.

5. Whiten your teeth with crunchy vegetables

If you’re longing for whiter, stain-free teeth, then keeping some fruit and veg to hand could help to brighten your smile.  Dark foods and bacteria from leftover food particles can lead to yellow, stained teeth. However, following meals with crunchy fruits and vegetables such as apples, celery and carrots can help to minimize staining and whiten teeth. The abrasiveness of these crunchy foods can help to give your teeth a post-meal clean, removing bacteria and lifting stains from your teeth, as well as providing a healthy and nutritious end to your meal.

6. Clean your face with oil

Oil may be the last thing you want to put on your face; particularly if you already suffer from oily skin. However, non-comodogenic oils can actually help to clear out pores, reduce sebum production and cleanse the skin without drying it out. To try the popular oil cleansing method, select your oil (olive oil is good for dry skin while jojoba oil is beneficial for acne-prone and oily complexions) and rub it into the skin for a couple of minutes. Next, take a warm, damp muslin cloth and place it over your face until it starts to cool. Finally, gently wipe off the oil for a clean and soft complexion .

7. Rejuvenate blonde hair with tomato ketchup

Whether you’ve had a hair dye disaster or are experiencing chlorine-induced green tones from spending too much time in the pool, blonde ladies can counteract green shades and rejuvenate their color with the help of tomato ketchup. While it may not be the most appealing hair treatment, the red condiment can neutralize the green in your hair, leading to shiny, golden locks once more. Apply the tomato ketchup to hair and leave on for 20 minutes, then rinse off and shampoo as normal.