Remember These? 13 Beauty Routines Our Mothers Swore By

Remember those beauty routines our mothers and grandmothers swore by? Before there were thousand-dollar creams and high-tech beauty gadgets, women had their own tried-and-true methods for staying beautiful. While some of these techniques have stood the test of time, others are cherished for the nostalgia they bring. Let’s stroll down memory lane and revisit these classic beauty secrets.

1. Pin Curls for Perfect Waves

Mom would meticulously section her hair every night and create tiny pin curls all over her head. Secured with bobby pins and often covered with a silk scarf, these curls were the secret to those perfect waves that lasted for days. No hot rollers or curling irons needed—just patience and a handful of pins. The best part? You could sleep in them and wake up looking like a million bucks.

2. Cold Cream Cleansing

Pond’s Cold Cream was a staple on every woman’s vanity. This thick, white cream removed makeup, cleansed, and moisturized all at once. The ritual was simple: massage it in, tissue it off, and repeat if needed. Many women swore it was the secret to their youthful skin, and those iconic white jars were passed down as beauty wisdom from mother to daughter.

3. Vaseline Eyelashes

Before expensive lash serums, women would apply a thin coat of Vaseline to their eyelashes every night. This simple petroleum jelly was believed to help lashes grow longer and thicker. While there’s no scientific evidence supporting lash growth, Vaseline does moisturize lashes and can be used as an eye makeup remover and for moisturizing dry patches.

4. Cake Mascara

The little red box with the cake mascara and tiny brush was an essential makeup bag item. Introduced by Maybelline in 1917, it involved adding a drop of water to the cake, rubbing the brush across it, and carefully applying it to your lashes. It was a delicate process that required a steady hand, but the results were worth it—natural-looking, clump-free lashes that didn’t look overdone.

5. Beer Hair Rinse

It sounds unusual now, but many women used flat beer as a final hair rinse to add body and shine. The proteins from malt and hops were said to nourish the hair and create incredible volume, though the effects were temporary. Some high-end salons still offer this treatment today, though they charge much more than a bottle of beer costs!

6. Witch Hazel Toning

Before expensive toners and astringents, witch hazel was the go-to for keeping skin clear and pores tight. This natural astringent is gentle yet effective, containing tannins that reduce inflammation and oil production. Many women would apply it with cotton balls after cleansing, swearing by its ability to prevent breakouts and reduce shine.

7. Baby Oil Tanning

Before we knew better about sun protection, women would slather themselves with baby oil and bake in the sun. Sometimes they’d even mix iodine with baby oil to enhance tanning. While this was a common practice, we now know it’s extremely dangerous, as it offers no UV protection and increases the risk of skin damage and cancer.

8. Dippity-do Setting Gel

That green gel in the jar was essential for creating those perfect roller sets. Introduced in 1965, you’d dip your comb in, run it through your hair, and set it in rollers. The result was hair that could withstand wind, rain, and whatever else life threw at it. The hold was incredible, even if your hair felt like it could break a brush!

9. Cucumber Slices for Eyes

Long before expensive eye creams, women would lie back with cucumber slices on their eyes to reduce puffiness and dark circles. This simple kitchen beauty treatment is effective, as cucumbers contain antioxidants and have anti-inflammatory properties. The cool moisture from the cucumber instantly soothes tired eyes and helps you look refreshed.

10. Egg White Face Masks

Women would separate an egg, whip up the white until frothy, and apply it as a face mask. The proteins in egg whites temporarily tighten the skin, and your face feels smooth and firm after rinsing. Some would add a drop of lemon juice for extra brightening power. Simple, natural, and effective!

11. Lemon Juice Hair Lightening

Before fancy highlighting kits, we’d squeeze fresh lemons into a spray bottle, spritz our hair, and sit in the sun. The citric acid in lemon juice naturally lightens hair when activated by sunlight. Some would mix the lemon juice with chamomile tea for a more golden tone. Sure, your hair felt a bit crispy afterward, but those natural, sun-kissed highlights were worth it.

12. Oatmeal Face Scrub

Forget expensive exfoliators—Mom would mix plain oatmeal with warm water to make a gentle face scrub. Oats contain compounds called avenanthramides, which have anti-inflammatory properties. Sometimes she’d add a touch of honey or milk for extra softening power. This breakfast-turned-beauty treatment was perfect for sensitive skin, leaving your face as smooth as silk.

13. Maybelline Eyebrow Pencil with Brush

That classic wooden pencil with the little brush on the end was all you needed for perfect brows. You’d warm the tip slightly with your fingers to soften it, draw in your brows with light strokes, and blend with the brush. No complicated pomades or gels—just a simple pencil that could survive at the bottom of your purse and still work perfectly. The technique hasn’t changed much, even if the products have.