### Thirst Buys: The Beauty Items You Never Knew You Needed
#### The Temptation of Thirst Buys
Imagine scrolling through your favorite social media platform or browsing an online shopping site when suddenly, you stumble upon a beauty item that seems to be the answer to all your problems. It’s that one product that you never knew you needed, but now can’t live without. We’ve all been there, and it’s called a “thirst buy” – an impulse purchase that convinces you it’s essential and life-changing.
As a beauty professional, I often find myself in this predicament. Despite knowing that the majority of these unplanned purchases are usually useless, I have a professional obligation to buy them for the sake of research. I take one for the team so that others don’t have to experience the disappointment of a thirst buy. Over the years, I’ve encountered countless beauty disasters, from face masks that temporarily paralyze your face to gel polish removers that take longer than the actual nail painting process.
#### The Few Thirst Buys That Delivered
However, during a recent clearout, I discovered a handful of thirst buys that actually lived up to their promises. These are the rare gems that have earned a permanent spot in my beauty routine. One such item is the thermal ceramic hair rollers. When I’m short on time, I simply roll them into my dry hair, give it a quick blast with the hairdryer, and let them cool while I apply my makeup. It’s a fast and easy way to achieve a voluminous blowout without much effort.
Another unexpected winner is the cleansing wristbands. Initially, I dismissed them as pointless, but after trying them out, I realized their genius. These wristbands protect my sleeves from drips while I cleanse my face, eliminating the need to sleep with wet cuffs. It’s a simple solution to a common problem and has become an indispensable part of my nighttime routine.
#### Beauty Tools That Simplify Your Routine
In addition to the aforementioned thirst buys, there are a few other beauty tools that have truly simplified my beauty routine. The Real Techniques brush cleansing mat, which unfortunately has been discontinued, but there are similar options available on Amazon, has made washing makeup brushes a breeze. By simply adding some dish soap onto the wet mat and swirling the brushes on its textured surface, I can quickly and thoroughly clean my brushes.
For those struggling to achieve a perfect winged eyeliner or a neat smoky eye, Micropore surgical tape is a game-changer. Placing a small piece of tape on the outer corner of each eye allows for a mess-free application. Once you’re done, simply peel off the tape to reveal clean and sharp lines.
#### Innovation in Gel Nail Polish Removal
Removing gel nail polish can be a tedious process, with foils falling off and messy drips of remover everywhere. However, gel remover clips have completely revolutionized this task. These clips keep the remover in direct contact with the nail polish, dissolving it faster and more effectively. Now, I can even enjoy a cup of tea while they work their magic.
While most thirst buys end up being disappointments, there are a few hidden treasures that prove to be worth the hype. From thermal ceramic hair rollers to cleansing wristbands, these innovative beauty items have simplified my routine and solved common beauty dilemmas. So, the next time you come across a tempting beauty product, remember to tread cautiously, but don’t be afraid to take a chance – you might just stumble upon your own thirst buy success story.
[Original Article](https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2022/mar/05/thirst-buys-beauty-items-you-never-knew-you-needed)
Original Story at www.theguardian.com – 2024-01-05 08:00:00
