Where would we be without all the beauty gadgets that help us to look and feel our best? We just couldn’t live without them! But did you know that while these little grooming gadgets and beauty tools can transform you from Bedhead to Babe, they can also be a drain on your energy bills?
Check out some of our best beauty hacks below that will keep you looking pretty while saving you pennies!
Hairdryers
Sometimes we think that hairdryers might be the best thing ever invented, the way they can turn our messy mop into a fabulous mane. But they’re also one of the biggest energy users out of our beauty tools. Thankfully, some simple changes to how you use them can make all the difference.
The action of heating up the hair is what eats up all that energy, so next time, why not use a cooler setting? Not only will your bills thank you, but your hair will also feel healthier when it’s not frazzled every day!
When it’s time to buy a new one, look into getting a low wattage hairdryer – it’ll give you the same results when you look in the mirror, but you’ll definitely notice a difference in your outgoing costs.
And every so often, leave your hairdryer tucked away and just let your hair dry naturally. Not only can you get adventurous with your styles, but the break from the heat will make your hair feel softer and look shinier too!
Hair Straighteners and Curling Wands
If we could take one item with us to a desert island, we’d definitely pack our hair straighteners. Whether we’re doing sultry and straight or bouncy curls, these tools are an absolute godsend, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t also hike up our bills at the end of the day.
If you’ve got straighteners with a temperature control option, use a lower setting – again, your hair (and expenses) will love it!
Next time you have to buy a hair styling tool, look for one with an automatic shutoff feature, which turns off the device when it’s not been used for a while or when it gets too hot. This helps you to not waste energy, and it’s a great safety feature that will give you peace of mind.
Electric Toothbrushes
We love our pearly whites and want our smiles to sparkle! Dentists and oral hygienists recommend using an electric toothbrush to keep your gnashers in tip-top condition.
It’s pretty simple to keep your teeth clean and your bills lower: just don’t leave your toothbrush constantly on its charger. When you do this, you actually drain the battery, so it won’t last as long, and you waste electricity.
Instead, use your brush until it runs out of power, and then charge it back up to its maximum for healthy teeth and less energy waste.
Showers
Here’s the thing: we love, love, love a long, hot shower. But did you know that staying in the shower too long when it’s too hot is really bad for your skin? (It’s all about your sebum production and stripping away this protective layer.)
It also runs up your energy and water costs. Try showering at a lower temperature (your skin will thank you for it) and for a shorter amount of time – even spending just one minute less in the shower every day can help save pounds off your energy bill every year.
Smart Meter
Another way to keep tabs on the energy you’re using while you’re pampering and preening yourself is to get a smart meter!
The in-home display shows you the information in near-real time, allowing you to see what you’re using in pounds and pence. And when you’re more in control of your energy and money spending, you can’t help but smile – and that’s the best beauty hack of all!
Join the energy revolution and contact your energy supplier to request a smart meter. For more information visit smartenergygb.org