Most of us have a tube of lip balm, whether it’s in a purse, a jacket pocket, or a bathroom drawer. But that tube can do a lot more than keep your lips from getting dry.
Here are 14 clever ways to use lip balm that have nothing to do with chapped lips.
1. Loosen a Stuck Zipper
A zipper that keeps catching can be frustrating, especially when you’re trying to get out the door. Rub a little plain lip balm along the zipper teeth, then gently move the zipper back and forth to help it slide more easily.
2. Soften Dry Cuticles
If your cuticles are looking dry and rough, you don’t necessarily need a separate cuticle cream. Massage a little lip balm around your nails before bed to help seal in moisture and soften the surrounding skin.
3. Tame Flyaway Hair
Those little hairs that refuse to stay in place can be especially annoying when you’ve just finished styling your hair. Rub a tiny amount of lip balm between your fingertips and lightly smooth it over flyaways, being careful not to use so much that your hair looks greasy.
4. Keep Your Eyebrows in Place
If you’re out of eyebrow gel, a little lip balm can help keep stray eyebrow hairs from sticking up. Apply a small amount with a clean spoolie or fingertip, then brush your brows into place for a neat, natural look.
5. Protect Your Nose When You Have a Cold
Constantly wiping your nose with tissues can leave the skin around your nostrils red, dry, and uncomfortable. A thin layer of plain, fragrance-free lip balm on the outside of your nose can help protect the irritated skin from further rubbing.
6. Remove a Stuck Ring
When a ring feels a little too tight, reaching for lip balm might not be your first thought. A small amount applied around the ring and finger can provide enough lubrication to help it slide off, but don’t force a ring if your finger is swollen, painful, or changing color.
7. Make Perfume Last a Little Longer
If your perfume seems to disappear shortly after you apply it, try putting a thin layer of unscented lip balm on your pulse points first. The balm creates a slightly oily surface that may slow the fragrance’s evaporation, letting the scent linger a little longer.
8. Soften Rough Patches on Your Hands
Dry knuckles and rough spots between your fingers can become uncomfortable, especially during colder months. If you don’t have hand lotion nearby, rub a little lip balm over the dry areas to help lock in moisture until you can properly moisturize your hands.
9. Give Your Cheekbones a Natural Glow
You don’t always need a separate highlighter to add a little shine to your face. Dab a tiny amount of clear lip balm along your cheekbones for a subtle, dewy finish without adding any shimmer or color.
10. Help Prevent Blisters From Shoe Friction
A new pair of shoes can sometimes rub against your heels or toes before you’ve had a chance to break them in. Applying a small amount of lip balm to intact skin where the shoe rubs may temporarily reduce friction, although properly fitting shoes and blister-prevention products are better long-term solutions.
11. Remove Stubborn Sticker Residue
Peeling a price tag off a glass jar or other smooth surface sometimes leaves behind a sticky mess. Rub a little petroleum-based lip balm over the residue, let it sit briefly, and wipe it away before washing the surface with soap and water.
12. Keep Small Metal Items From Sticking
A tiny amount of plain lip balm can work as a temporary lubricant on small metal parts that are difficult to move. It’s worth trying on a stubborn zipper pull or similar noncritical item, but avoid using it on locks, electrical components, or anything that requires a proper lubricant.
13. Help Start a Fire in an Emergency
Petroleum-based lip balm can be surprisingly useful in an emergency kit, particularly if you’re trying to start a fire outdoors. Rub a little onto a dry cotton ball or other suitable tinder, and the added fuel can help it burn longer while you carefully build a fire in a safe, permitted location.
Related: 15 Fire Starting Tricks to Ignite Your Survival Skills
14. Make Powder Eyeshadow Look Glossy
If you like a dewy makeup look, a small amount of clear lip balm can give powder eyeshadow a glossy finish. Use only a product labeled safe for the eye area, since many lip balms contain fragrances, menthol, or other ingredients that can irritate your eyes.
