That’s exactly what Elizabeth Monahan discovered – and now she has people constantly asking her why she smells so good.
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The 22-year-old dubbed the sweet smelling beauty hack a “glow up tip”.
Known for its warm and sugary aroma, vanilla extract isn’t just for baking – it can also be your next go-to fragrance.
Elizabeth applies it directly to her pulse points from the bottle in place of perfume.
A bottle of Extra Special Madagascan Vanilla Extract from Asda will set you back just £1.40, making it the cheapest perfume replacement you’ll ever find.
Vanilla has long been cherished for its rich, soothing scent.
It evokes a sense of warmth, nostalgia and comfort – think baking cakes with your grandparents as a child.
Unlike some commercial perfumes laden with synthetic chemicals, vanilla extract offers a more natural and gentle option for those who are mindful of what they put on their skin.
You don’t just have to apply it straight from the bottle, though.
If you prefer a spray, mix one part vanilla extract with four parts water in a spray bottle and shake well to combine.
For a stronger scent, you can adjust the ratio, using more vanilla extract if desired.
And it’s best to apply it to your pulse points, such as the wrists, neck, behind your ears and even behind your knees.
These warm areas of the body help to diffuse the scent more effectively, creating a subtle and enticing aroma throughout the day.
Elizabeth, from California, US, places it directly on her wrist.
As it’s a constantly exposed pulse point, it’s probably why she’s laden with people “always asking” her why she smells of vanilla.
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WARNING
While vanilla extract makes a wonderful perfume, it’s important to do a patch test first to ensure you don’t have any allergic reactions.
Apply a small amount of the mixture to your skin and wait 24 hours to see if any irritation occurs.
“This is soooo me when I run out of perfume,” Hurul Narshira quipped.
“No way, I thought I was the only one,” Shylee Stocks added.
Others called Elizabeth a “genius” and vowed to give her beauty hack ago.
However, for the hack to work, you need to ensure you’re using real vanilla extract – not imitation vanilla extract.
You can figure this out by checking the ingredients on the back of the bottle and ensuring that the list includes some form of vanilla extract.