Soak hose in a mix of 1/2 cup sea salt and 4 cups of warm water for 30 minutes, then air dry. The minerals in salt strengthen nylon fibers so they are less likely to tear or snag.
Four Beauty Fixes for Last-Minute Fashion Emergencies
Save yourself from last-minute beauty fouls with a few easy tricks that will keep you looking gorgeous at any event. You can outsmart a fashion “oops” with just a little bit of prep so you can stay carefree and confident.
To reduce hose runs
To sidestep too-tight shoes
Wear a pair of thick socks, slip on the shoes, then blast them with a blow dryer on medium heat for a minute or two. The heat loosens the shoe fabric to ward off any painful friction.
To protect against bra-strap slips
Grab a paper clip and thread it through one bra strap in the back and attach to the other for a racerback style. This holds the straps closer together to prevent slipping.
For smudge-proof lipstick
To lock lip color onto the pout, first gently scrub lips with a mixture of sugar and olive oil. This exfoliates to remove any dead skin that can flake, preventing lip color from settling. Then outline and fill in lips with a wax-based liner.
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This edition is part of the Genius House Hacks archive — 20+ years of tips, rebuilt from the original Handy Hints newsletter. Browse more hacks →