Ah, celebrities! Known for their quirks. From Kanye West insisting on standing in the same spot backstage before shows to Winona Ryder, who apparently collects vintage taxidermy. They never seem to stop amazing us.
What they also never stop doing is INFLUENCING us! I mean, around 80% of consumers say they’ve purchased a product because a celebrity endorsed it. Plus, over 60% of consumers say a celebrity’s style influenced their fashion or beauty choices, with celebrities’ red carpet looks causing spikes of up to 300% in online searches for similar styles or products.
Clearly, we cannot get enough. So, let’s have a look at some wild (and sometimes gross) beauty hacks loved by the stars.
Jennifer Aniston (Coffee Grounds Scrub)
You might associate Jennifer Aniston with her character Rachel from the series Friends, or for that effortlessly radiant glow. And how exactly does she get that glow? With a homemade coffee grounds scrub. According to her, she uses leftover coffee grounds mixed with coconut oil as a natural exfoliator to slough off dead skin cells and boost circulation. The caffeine in coffee also helps reduce puffiness, making it a great wake-up call for tired skin.
But using coffee scrubs is actually an old concept that’s made a comeback in recent years, probably thanks to Aniston, social media’s love for natural skincare trends, and coffee’s antioxidant properties, exfoliating benefits, and the skin-stimulating power of caffeine.
Kylie Jenner (Toothpaste Spot Treatment)
Kylie Jenner left fans gasping when she revealed one of her go-to pimple fixes: good old-fashioned toothpaste! Yep, the billionaire beauty mogul and queen of Kylie Cosmetics swears by this humble bathroom staple to dry out pesky spots overnight. It is not exactly dermatologist-approved, but according to Kylie, it zaps redness and shrinks breakouts in record time. Apparently, Jennifer Love Hewitt also uses toothpaste to reduce spots and blemishes. She states, “Lots of us did this back in the day. It was a tip passed around among teens in the ’90s, as I recall.”
If you want to give it a try at home (even though this is not the best way to treat acne), only use a tiny amount and avoid sensitive or dry skin, as toothpaste contains ingredients that can irritate skin. The theory behind the toothpaste treatment is that certain ingredients in toothpaste can help dry out spots and reduce inflammation. These include hydrogen peroxide (sometimes found in whitening toothpaste), which has mild antibacterial and drying effects. Another is menthol, which creates a cooling sensation and can help temporarily reduce redness and swelling.
Kourney Kardashian (Placenta Pills)
The Kardashians are famous for their unconventional beauty secrets. In an interview with New Beauty, Kourtney revealed that the placenta pills she took after pregnancy gave her a surprising boost of energy and even “benefited my skin and hair. Every mother should take them if possible!”
But what exactly are placenta pills? Prepare to be intrigued. These capsules are made from a woman’s own placenta, carefully cleaned, steamed (depending on the method), dehydrated, and ground into a potent powder. Even though celebrities rave about the claimed benefits, scientific evidence backing these claims is still very limited. In fact, medical experts urge caution due to possible risks like contamination and unknown effects on your body.
Catherine Zeta-Jones (Beer For Haircare)
Catherine Zeta-Jones might not have invented this quirky beauty hack, but she is definitely the most glamorous celebrity to openly swear by it. She blends beer and honey as a secret conditioner for her luscious locks, and if that is not surprising enough, she also reportedly brushes her teeth with a strawberry to brighten surface stains. Talk about beauty secrets worth stealing!
Or are they? While we cannot fully vouch for the strawberries, when it comes to beer and hair, it is definitely worth a closer look. Beer is packed with proteins and B vitamins (like biotin and niacin) that are known to support healthy hair growth. Plus, rinsing your hair with diluted beer can sometimes add a lovely shine and make your locks look fuller, if only temporarily, thanks to those nourishing proteins and natural sugars. But here is the twist. Drinking beer does not automatically mean healthier hair. In fact, alcohol can dehydrate both your body and your strands, and overdoing it might actually stunt your hair growth.
Shailene Woodley (Eating Clay)
Shailene Woodley is famous for her effortlessly natural vibe, and her beauty routines are just as refreshingly unconventional. One of her most intriguing habits? Eating clay. Yes, you read that right. She swears by bentonite clay as a powerful detoxifier that helps cleanse her body from the inside out.
According to Shailene, this earthy ritual not only draws out toxins but also supports digestion and overall wellness. While it might sound like something out of a wellness fairy tale, clay-eating is actually an ancient practice embraced by many for its purifying effects. Of course, it is not for everyone, so if you are curious, it is best to do your homework and chat with a pro before giving it a go.
Demi Moore (Leech Therapy)
Demi Moore reportedly once told David Letterman about an eyebrow-raising wellness adventure, “I was in Austria doing a cleanse, and part of the treatment was leech therapy. These aren’t your average swamp leeches—we’re talking highly trained medical leeches… It detoxifies your blood, I’m feeling seriously detoxified right now.”
Yes, you heard that right, leeches! But before you cringe, leech therapy is a centuries-old treatment making a surprising comeback in the world of high-end detoxes. These tiny, sophisticated creatures release powerful enzymes that improve blood flow, reduce inflammation, and help flush out toxins, leaving you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. It is definitely not your typical spa day, but if you are craving a bold and unconventional cleanse, Demi’s experience might just inspire you to try it yourself.
Victoria Beckham (Bird Poop Facial)
As reported by HuffPost and Glamour, Victoria Beckham is rumoured to be a fan of a facial intriguingly called the “Geisha facial,” which uses powdered nightingale droppings as a natural exfoliant. Yep, bird droppings!
This ancient Japanese beauty secret, known as Uguisu no fun, has been prized for centuries. Basically, because the enzymes in the droppings help to break down dead skin cells, brighten the complexion, and even reduce fine lines. And yes, while it sounds bizarre (what this article is all about), many swear by its skin-smoothing and rejuvenating effects.
Also reported by HuffPost, Tom Cruise is rumoured to be a fan of the nightingale dropping facial. This just proves that if bird poop landed on your face while you were out and about, you’d probably want to crawl under a rock from sheer embarrassment. But when your favourite celebrity willingly puts it on their face, you might just start considering it too.
Hailey Bieber (Faux Freckles)
Maybe not a beauty treatment in the traditional sense, but defs something to help those who want freckles feel more beautiful. And apparently Hailey Bieber is one of them. The trend started to gain popularity around a decade ago, but still seems to be making the rounds. In fact, she has helped turn faux freckles into a full-blown beauty obsession, especially paired with her signature “strawberry makeup.”
Even though Hailey Bieber uses a freckle pen, some Instagram influencers have gone as far as using henna on their faces to create the faux freckle look!
Alessandra Ambrosio (Candle-Cutting Hair Treatment)
Also known as velaterapia, this hair treatment involves using an open flame, usually a candle, to burn off split ends. It originated in Brazil and gained popularity thanks to supermodels like Alessandra Ambrosio, who swears by its benefits for maintaining healthy, glossy hair.
The idea? Twisting sections of hair so the damaged ends stick out, then running a flame along them to burn off the split bits. The result? Smoother, softer strands that are supposedly more receptive to conditioning treatments. While some stylists support it, many hair professionals strongly advise against the practice, as open flames can damage the hair shaft or cause uneven burning. Plus, there is the obvious risk of fire or injury.
