Beauty MacGyver

[#1]

Ever realize that you're somewhere that has no beauty products near in sight, but there's something you quickly need to fix? How did you compensate? For example, last night I got really hot at work, so I put my hair up in a low, off to the side messy bun. Hair started falling from the other side (I have layers) and I didn't have any bobby pins on me, and my coworkers didn't either! The solution I came up with? A paperclip!! I clipped it in my hair, hid it real well, and not only did it hold my hair up, but you couldn't tell what it was! Such a MacGyver moment for me

So tell me, what is your beauty MacGyver moment! I'd love to know

[#2]

@janinebt I love the flat iron trick! Whenever I iron shirts with collars on them, I use that to get it perfectly done

And @antoine there is no shame on our end ... haha I like to think of it as more of a talent than a struggle fest.

[#3]

Oh, God. When on stage and you realize your (insert costume piece here) is out of place, that's when you're thanking god that it's a school production and there's a teachers office with endless amounts of tape, that tacky blue stuff, markers, staples, paper clips, ANYTHING, right around the corner. Also, at least for me, Stage is where everything makeup has become flip flopped around. Wet 'n' Wild eyeshadow, in green, becomes bronzer for yurtle the turle, and lipstick is the perfect blush when you need to overdo it to conquer those lights. ~~We are all beautiful~~

[#4]

Good God !

Aren't you girls embarassed now that a man has read all of these

things that you do ????? HAHAH!!!

ANTOINE

[#5]

These are some excellent ideas! Isn't it amazing how we can go from mildly freaking out, to finding a fix quickly? You ladies are definitely quick on your toes !! And I'm going to have to try to remember most, if not all, of these quick beauty fixes for the next time I may be in a pinch ... literally (@katie1724) or figuratively

[#6]

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ssmittys wrote:

These are some excellent ideas! Isn't it amazing how we can go from mildly freaking out, to finding a fix quickly? You ladies are definitely quick on your toes !! And I'm going to have to try to remember most, if not all, of these quick beauty fixes for the next time I may be in a pinch ... literally (@katie1724) or figuratively

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ahhhh .... I'm not sure if these are quick fixes... they can be dangerous in an elevator ssmittys !!!

ANTOINE

[#7]

My story is more of a fashion dilemma but I thought I'd share!  My favorite pair of black trousers are wide leg and have a large hem/cuff at the bottom.  I still can't believe that I managed to do this, but one day when I stood up from my desk at work I managed to catch my heal in the cuff of the other pant leg and ripped the seam.  I tried several office supplies to try to temporarily fix the hem.  I tried paperclips, those black and silver binder clips and finally settled on a few staples!  I was nervous to do it, but nothing else was holding up the hem and I didn't want to risk stepping all over and ruining my favorite pants! The staples actually held through the day until I could get home and fix them properly! 

[#8]

Staples on a hemline are a tried and true quick fix I have also tried paperclips to no avail.

[#9]

Double sided toupee (wig tape) can be used to fix all sorts of wardrobe malfunctions. If I buy a new dress with any kind of low or side exposing top line, I try to wear it at home first to make sure that it doesn't do something rude, but I still pack wig tape when I wear it out, never hurts to be prepared. I keep a small roll in my suitcase for travel also, I have had clothes shrink at the dry cleaners (what's with that???) and when I get to my venue, find that they are behaving strangely. By taping them on, at least they won't gap or slip at a bad moment.

It also can fix a hemline and help keep a too short top tucked into pants or a skirt. Wonderful stuff!

[#10]

I agree, I've had to use staples in a jam too, particularly on dress pants and what not Double sided tape is GREAT for those little flaws that just don't want to go away.. low cut shirts, collars not staying in place, sleeves falling down etc. I did use a tube top as a "extra skirt" under a dress I wore once. It was too sheer and I could not find my normal skirt that I wear, so the tube top had to do it! LOL

[#11]

Oh I'm definitely guilty of using staples as quick fixes for slacks or tops that loose buttons once I've left my house. Same goes to tape, masking take really comes in handy from fixing hems in a hurry to removing lint and fuzz from coats. I always find that I only need to pull a fashion MacGyver when I'm attending a conference or important event...total Murphy's Law.

Years ago I had a job interview as a makeup artist for a company that I really wanted to work for. The blazer that I was planning on wearing was horribly wrinkled...and as luck would have it...my iron blew out that morning. So in a pinch I got clever and used my flat iron, which worked out really well . 

[#12]

I was headed to the gym in a hurry one day and realized once I got there that I did not have an elastic/scrunchie to pull back my hair.  So, I started looking around in my car and noticed an empty Sephora shopping bag in my side door.  I took the handle off of the bag, wrapped it several times around my pony tail and then tied it in a knot.  It actually worked pretty good!

[#13]

You all have very clever ideas!

I've definitely had my fair share of MacGyver moments. I usually carry a spare hair tie with me, but on rare occasions I'll forget to stock my purse (or wrist) with one. If this does happen I put my hair up with a pin by rolling my hair upward and then weaving a pin through the french twist that I've created. It's funny... I've actually received compliments on my makeshift style!

[#14]

I love this topic!

I got into the habit of carrying clear nail polish with me at all times, because I have a knack for getting runs in my stockings. It's not perfect, but it usually works. Once, though, all I had was red polish...and while it got the job done, it looked a little strange if you looked closely (my stockings were black, but you could still see the giant red spot!). Another time, I had no nail polish and attempted to use white out...I do not recommend this.

I have the bad habit of toting an arsenal of cosmetics with me wherever I go, but if I *really* have no time and need a touch up (such as being in an elevator right before an interview, etc.), I pull a Scarlett O'Hara and pinch my cheeks

[#15]

Omg I love this thread!  You ladies have some great ideas. 

@Ssmittys I'm going to have to try that paperclip trick when my hair gets unruly.

Most of my MacGyver moments have to do with using products in other ways than intended. Bronzer as eyeshadow, lipstick as blush, eyeshadow as eyebrow powder (have to be careful with this one as it can go VERY wrong).  Should I need to, I know which fingers work best for applying eyeshadow (pinky for crease, ring finger to blend and pointer finger to apply base and highlight) lol. Also, I learned the q-tip/cotton ball application method from the Clinique girls.  When I want a really sharp crease, I like using the tip of my concealer brush. I have lightly patted moisturizer on top of my makeup when it looked a bit cakey.

Also, one time I touched up my french manicure with white out.

Can't wait to read more tips!

[#16]

wow, great quick thinking ssmittys!

I tend to panic rather than try to RESOLVE the situation! I've used the hand lotion to smooth the hair too, thats a quick and easy one!

I've also used my lipgloss and lipsticks as blush when my skin looked deathly pale, and bronzer on my cheeks and lids too, but thats a trick I would even do back at my old job for women who were cut short on time! 

I did drop my eyeliner flat down on the ground once.. ended up using hand sanitizer as a quick way to wipe the lead down before I attempted to sharpen and put it back on.

[#17]

I was on a trip once and somehow managed to leave without any eye liner (strange but true). My lashes tend to disappear into my lids without liner, so I had to do something, and going out to buy a liner wasn't an option because I was running late. I took my eyeliner brush and dipped it in that clump of mascara that always accumulates at the top of the tube and lined my eyes with mascara. It was water resistant kind and it worked great as liner, stayed in place all day and actually applied a lot easier than some pencil liners I have used. I also used NARS South Beach Multiple as bronzer (it's intended purpose), shadow, lip color and shoe repair where I badly scuffed my brown boots getting out of the car!

I have used horse hoof conditioner as hand creme when at a horse show, and pieces of latigo (a kind of saddle leather) as hair ties when I lost my coated rubber band while competing. A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do!

[#18]

that's a great one!

I've used a tiny drop of hand cream when I've seen frizzys in my hair. I've also used lipstick as a blush and I'm sure every girl with long hair has had to use a rubber band or pen at some point... I would love to hear more emergency fix stories