Micellar water can act like a dry shampoo, helping to space out hair washes. Photo: AFP
All over TikTok, products from cosmetics to kitchen ingredients and utensils are getting used in all kinds of new ways.
Over the past few months, we've seen blush used to hide dark circles, a kitchen strainer used to create perfect curls, and sticky tape used in all kinds of beauty hacks.
All of which, of course, allows content creators and users to rack up views and followers thanks to these new trends, each more unusual than the next. And inevitably, there's more to come.
Haircare routines have become a particular focus in the beauty world, with new practices designed to ensure moisturised, shiny, healthy-looking hair.
But, in the end, it's a totally unexpected product that could be the latest must-have in your daily haircare routine: micellar water.
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Cleanse, tone and remove makeup in one fell swoop
A staple of beauty routines for many years, micellar water is a versatile product that removes makeup and impurities from facial skin, cleansing it while acting as a toner.
Suitable for all skin types, it offers the double advantage of saving time and money, which has enabled it to make a lasting impact in the bathroom.
A new, more surprising use is now emerging, designed to rid hair of dirt and impurities without the need for shampoo.
With almost a billion views on TikTok, the hashtag #micellarwater is proof of users' enthusiasm for this all-in-one product. But in recent weeks, videos tagged with the term have shown users applying the product to their hair, rather than to their skin.
In a video that has garnered almost 63,000 views, one TikTok user (@alessa.miki) sprays her hair with a micellar water solution, claiming that it cleanses her hair and scalp and regulates sebum production.
It's a trick that hasn't gone unnoticed, winning over followers looking for tips on how to get rid of greasy hair.
More time between washes
The battle against greasy hair began long before the age of social networking.
As we've all noticed, hair starts to feel greasy two or three days after being washed, or sometimes less for those who suffer from overproduction of sebum or use too much shampoo or conditioner.
As a result, we tend to increase the frequency of washes, which in turn increases sebum production, leading to that greasy film returning even more quickly.
This phenomenon has given rise to a host of fixes, from baking soda and apple cider vinegar to scalp massage and cold water rinsing.
As for micellar water, while it seems to be a hit on the Chinese social network, it is by no means an innovative solution. In fact, many cosmetics brands have been offering shampoos and hair lotions enriched with micellar water for several years now.
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The reason is simple: micellar water contains micelles, surfactant molecules that act a bit like magnets for dirt and impurities. They therefore act in the same way on the scalp as they do on the skin.
Incidentally, this is not the first time that users of the Chinese social network have seized on this trick.
Last year, another TikTok user (@abbeyyung) created a buzz by brushing her hair with micellar water, massaging her scalp and then shampooing her hair twice.
Viewed over 1.3 million times, the post extolled the virtues of using this makeup remover as a hair product, stating that hair was better cleansed and, above all, softer and shinier.
A tip that has long since proved its worth, and which continues to find a place in many a beauty routine. – AFP Relaxnews
