4 Beauty Tips Your Mom was Right About
It’s pretty inevitable that we absorb beauty tips from the older women in our lives. Whether it’s moms, mom-like figures, aunts or sisters, chances are we’ve either watched them apply face masks or heard them lecture about the importance of moisturizing. And while not all of mom’s advice makes sense to us, some of her retro beauty tips still hold true, even in today’s changing world. From cleansing to moisturizing to rocking a good red lip, here are some of our favourites. Thanks, mom.
Don’t go to sleep without removing your makeup
Listen, we’ve all been there. Stumbling home after the bar or pulling an all-nighter at work and just being like, “cleansing? Ain’t nobody got time for that. Zzzz.” Fast forward to the next morning (or afternoon) and your face feels greasy, cakey and somehow, there’s mascara on your forehead (how did that even happen?).
If you’ve grown up with a beauty-savvy mom (or even a nosy aunt or older sister) you’ve probably been told to wash your makeup off before bed religiously. And truthfully? You should! Leaving your makeup on overnight has both immediate and long-term consequences. For one thing, it causes your skin cells to build up and your pores to clog, causing breakouts and irritation. It can also cause a breakdown of the skin barrier and prevent your skin from receiving oxygen, both of which can lead to premature aging.
Besides, there’s something about clean, fresh skin that just feels better! Especially after a rough night. Turns out, mom really does know best!
Sometimes less is more
If you grew up with a certain kind of mom, you might have been told to cool it when it came to makeup and accessories. And while there is definitely a time and a place for a bold lip, a set of killer 3D eyelashes and a dramatic smoky eye, the minimalist moms out there may be on to something too. At Essence Luxe Couture, we believe makeup and beauty products should enhance your natural features and bring out your true self, which is a similar ideology.
For example, an effective, organic skin care routine can enhance your natural complexion, leading to not only healthier cells, but a naturally glowing look that requires less foundation and concealer. Similarly, many people find that wearing mink eyelashes enhances their eyes so much they need less makeup to draw attention to them.
At the end of the day, good makeup isn’t about covering you up, it’s about highlighting your best features and making you feel confident. And sometimes the best way to do that is to just let the real you shine through.
Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize!
Many of us grew up enamoured by the collection of bottles and jars our mom kept in her bathroom or on her vanity. For some, watching our mom lightly pad cream onto her face and décolletage at night or rub baby oil onto her legs became somewhat of a ritual, a small glimpse into the world of womanhood.
Nostalgia aside, it turns out that hydration really is a key part of healthy skin and longevity. Excessively dry skin can cause your skin cells to shrivel, which is what leads to wrinkles and fine lines. Staying hydrated and applying moisturizer lubricates the skin, which keeps those skin cells youthful and replenished.
Different types of skin will require different kinds of hydration. If you’re prone to dry skin you might appreciate a rich oil-based moisturizer, while those prone to breakouts might opt for a mattifying gel that soaks up imperfections while giving you a youthful glow. The key takeaway here is that keeping your skin hydrated both internally and externally is not just a nostalgic ritual, but an effective way to take care of your skin, just like mom always said.
Sometimes a red lip really does make everything better
For a certain generation and social class of moms, a quick swipe of bright red lipstick before heading out the door was essential, even just to run a quick errand. In fact, if you are a makeup enthusiast yourself, it may have been the first lipstick you played with, whether you were allowed to or not!
Truthfully, we think red lipstick is one beauty essential that has really stood the test of time, likely because of its versatility. If you want to look polished and you’re in a bit of a time crunch, it’s the one item that can really pull a whole look together, even if you’re just pairing it with a quick application of BB cream and a bit of brow gel. Many people also say that red lipstick is a small touch that makes them feel more powerful, which makes it a great accessory for boss babes everywhere. Bonus: red lipstick really does make your teeth look whiter!
Thanks to the wide range of shades available, a bold red lip can look amazing on any complexion and skin tone. Whether you prefer a coral-tinted matte or a rich Bordeaux shade, it’s one of the fastest and most effective ways to give a basic look an edge or put the finishing touch on a dramatic Saturday night look. Red lipstick 4ever!
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As we get older, we tend to realize our moms were often right, maybe more often than we’d like to admit! From letting your best features shine through to being kind to your skin, in these cases, mom really did know what she was talking about. What’s the best beauty tip your mom ever gave you?
