10 multitasking beauty products designed to save you time and money!

By Hansa Makhijani Jain

Ages ago, when I was on the right side of my 20s, I went on a solo trip to Paris. It was my first time alone in a foreign country and I had somehow managed to book a very economical hotel, albeit in a very questionable arrondissement.

Little did I know that it would be smaller than a matchbox and I would have to crane my neck to see the television. The main door would ram into the bathroom door. And in the bathroom, there was only one item in the name of toiletries: a gel that performed triple duties – for body, hair and hands.

Whether you wanted to wash your hands or clean your hair or suds up for a bath – the superhero did it all. Honestly, I was appalled at the time. But the body wash cum shampoo cum hand wash was a perfect fit in that teeny tiny bathroom. 

And in the age of minimalism where less is more, these products not only save space in apartments that are getting tinier, they also save us the trouble of buying multiple products. In the process, they give you a satisfying bang for your buck. 

So it’s time to uncomplicate your beauty arsenal. Save money, time and some precious space on your dresser with these all-rounders.

Olay Regenerist Micro Sculpting Cream Moisturizer with SPF 30 (₹1,799): Use it in the morning, use it at night, it works round the clock to give you hydration, bounce and sun protection. We love that it can be used as an anti-ageing day cream with a decent SPF of 30. And doubles up as a night cream. No need for three separate products.

LoveChild by Masaba One Take 5-In-1 BB Cream SPF 20 PA++ (₹1,500): Now this is one hardworking product. It can replace as many as five products as it offers serum, moisturiser, sunscreen, primer and concealer! The best part? It comes in 10 shades so there is one that will definitely suit your skin tone.

Earth Rhythm Glow Set Go All Day Strobe Cream Primer + Highlighter, SPF 50 PA++++ (₹525): Dab a little to use as a highlighter, or a lot to use as moisturiser, sunscreen and primer. It acts as a solid base to your foundation and gives you a dewy finish when worn on its own. At SPF 50, it doesn’t get any better than this.

Bio-Oil Skincare Oil (₹625): From stretchmarks to scars and ageing skin, it handles a host of skincare issues all at once. This award-winning skincare product has been around for decades and can be used on the face as well as body. So if you’re into facial oils as opposed to creams and lotions, it’s worth trying.

M.A.C Mini Prep + Prime Fix+ Setting Spray (₹1,600): Infused with green tea in an alcohol-free formulation, this wonder product is a favourite with A-list makeup artists. It can be used to prime your skin before makeup, hydrate in between, intensify eye shadow pigments and act as a setting spray holding it all together for up to 12 hours.

Kama Ayurveda Rosewater (₹625): Use it on the face as a toner or hydration boost. Or use it as a body mist for its uplifting fragrance. You can even use it on irritated skin that is prone to flare-ups. Either way, it makes you feel fresh in minutes. We especially recommend it in the scorching summer months.

Lakme 9-to-5 CC Cream with SPF 30 (₹399): Dress up your face with skincare, sun protection and tint with this multitasker. It’s the kind of coverage you can use on a daily basis for a natural, healthy glow. It delivers niacinamide, antioxidants and pro-ceramides and comes in a serum formulation for dry skin and also a mousse version for oily skin.

Kay Beauty Jelly Lip & Cheek Popsicle Wand (₹1,199): Getting a flush of colour on your lips and cheeks becomes so much easier with this one product. It’s dewy and easy to blend with a decent colour pay-off and comes in three shades. Keep it in your handbag to get party-ready in a jiffy.

Ras Glo-Tint Radiance Skin Perfector – Sheer Tint Foundation with SPF Protection (₹2,990): A multi-faceted product, it combines the benefits of moisturiser, illuminator, serum, tint, foundation, and primer. It also offers SPF 30 PA++++ in a sweat and water-resistant formulation, making it just what you need to face any kind of weather.

Antinorm Bye Bye Blow Dry Leave-in Hair Cream (₹1,199): This would be Rapunzel’s dream come true. A detangler, leave-in conditioner, heat protectant, frizz-tamer and protein treatment packed in one neat bottle. It’s packed with avocado oil, aloe vera juice, mango butter and pea protein to give your hair some serious care, minus the fuss. 

eShe’s beauty editor Hansa Makhijani Jain may as well have been born with a lipstick in her hand. She’s been writing about the beauty biz for almost two decades. Follow her on Instagram.