Instagram beauty hacks have taken the world by storm. Hundreds of self-proclaimed beauty aficionados flood our newsfeeds everyday and, expert or not, they seem to have a hack for everything. With so many tricks out there designed to make your life easier, not boarding the hype-train seems almost unlawful. 

So, I took it upon myself to try out some of the most popular beauty hacks and see if they work.

APPLYING VASELINE TO YOUR LASHES MAKES THEM THICKER AND LONGER.

Since I've been using Vaseline for years to achieve fuller lashes, I can vouch that this trick works wonders. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that it not only leads to under eye acne but also causes milia, which are little cysts under the eye and along the lashline. Upon close inspection, I did find tiny white bumps along my lashline - and no, that's not normal.

Yes, long, fluttering eyelashes are a dream but it's time you steered clear of this particular beauty hack. Instead, try the aloe vera gel, castor oil and Vitamin-E oil concoction that beauty blogger Farah Dhukai swears by. It's a tried-and-tested success.

USING RED LIPSTICK TO COLOUR-CORRECT DARK UNDER EYES

According to the internet, dotting red lipstick under your eye eliminates dark shadows. While I'm a fan of the colour-correcting trend, I hadn't tried red lipstick as a substitute. As I'd suspected, this beauty hack left me looking like a demonic clown. The red lipstick doesn't blend well, and leaves your face in a pink mess. Final verdict? Stick to orange/peach hues to counteract dark under eyes. If you have a darker skin tone, this might just work for you. 

As for the rest of us, we'll pass on looking like Jigglypuff.  

GARLIC SHRINKS PIMPLES OVERNIGHT 

Numerous beauty bloggers swear by garlic's acne-healing properties. So, I decided to put it to the test. First, take a clove of garlic and make some cuts in it to extract the juice. Rub the garlic on pimples you may have and voila! You're left with clear skin the next morning. 

Or so they say. 

While garlic doesn't heal acne overnight, following this routine diligently, over a couple of days, visibly reduces acne. Final verdict? This works - just not as "instantly" as they say. 

So, if you're looking for a magical acne-healer that works overnight, get in line like the rest of us.  

USING HAIRSPRAY TO SET YOUR MAKEUP

If you've been blessed with oily skin like yours truly, this beauty hack will come in handy often. Sure, hairspray keeps your hair intact but it's not designed to do the same for make-up. It'll keep your make-up in place for 1-2 hours tops. So if you're looking at hairspray as a permanent fix, you might need to reconsider. The fumes in hairsprays contain large molecules which could clog your pores and cause blemishes. 

If you see yourself reaching for a hairspray often as a substitute for a makeup setting spray, it might be a good time to invest in the real thing. 

RUBBING LEMON ON YOUR SKIN FADES SCARS

Raw lemon, which is highly acidic, can actually darken scars upon immediate exposure to the sun. Hence, use lemon sparingly - mix it with honey or your usual face pack for better results. Most importantly, apply the face mask 7-8 hours before stepping out into the sun to avoid sunburns and hyper pigmentation. 

You're welcome. 

Mithi Chowdhury is a dog-loving-movie-watching-mediocrity-fearing normal person. Either that or a penguin. Find out at mithichy612@gmail.com