14 Beauty Tips the Mothers of Our IPSY Staff Swear By
“Listen to your mother” is something we’ve all heard a hundred times. And as much as we hate to admit it, our mothers always know best, especially when it comes to beauty. Before we had influencers, pro makeup artists, and TikTok, we had our mothers—the OGs of the beauty game.
Watching our mothers, grandmothers, and mother figures doing their makeup was inspiring and something that felt like home. Some never left the house without lipstick, while others woke up with their hair perfectly smoothed. But what they all had in common is they always looked just right. What’s their secret? Well, this Mother’s Day, we’re finally listening. We asked IPSY staff to share the best beauty tips they learned from their moms to find out just how they do it.
1. Wear Your Mayo & Eggs
Yes, mayo and eggs aren’t just kitchen staples—they’re also fantastic for helping to condition and moisturize your hair.
“She swears it deeply conditions your hair—and that the egg makes your hair stronger and shinier. My mami had bomb hair through her 50s too! Mix two tablespoons of mayonnaise and one tablespoon of olive oil well before adding an egg to the mix. Apply the mask to your scalp and hair. She would sometimes put Saran wrap around it. Then, rinse with cold water after an hour. Lastly, shampoo and condition per usual.” -Diana Maciel, VP of Creative
2. Always Have Your Faves Handy
You never know when you might need a little extra moisturizer, so the best bet is to keep a mini version of your faves in your extra Glam Bags, car, and anywhere else you can to stay prepared for beauty emergencies.
“This tip might drive your roommate or partner crazy, but my mom taught me to leave mini versions of my go-to products—usually lip balm or hand cream—wherever I might need them. That means I have little jars and tubes of beauty products tucked in kitchen drawers, by my bed, next to the couch, and in my car. That way, whenever I need something, I don’t have to go too far!” -Susan Muramoto, Sr. Manager of Copywriting
3. Use Makeup to Enhance Your Beauty
We’re all about creative expression through makeup, no matter what that looks like for you, but we also love when makeup is used to flaunt what you have. It’s all about doing what makes you feel the most cared for and confident.
“Growing up with my Iranian mother, I remember she was always a big fan of natural, no-makeup makeup looks. She would often say, ‘Enhance your natural beauty by applying makeup in a way that friends notice, but foes won't.’" -Mahdis Hildebrand, IPSY Freelance Creator
4. Rainy Days Need SPF Too
We all know SPF is important on a sunny day, but did you know we need SPF on rainy days too? Don’t forget your SPF no matter the weather.
“My mom taught me to always wear SPF—rain or shine! She said I would thank her later, and I will take this time now to say she was right. Thank you, mom!” -Julia Lee, Senior Social Media Manager
5. Never Overpluck Your Brows
With the thin ‘90s brow trend in full effect right now, we ALL need to take notes. Overplucking traumatizes the hair, which makes it difficult to ever grow back.
“I was an impressionable teenager in the early 2000s, but managed to avoid overplucked eyebrows thanks to the wisdom of my mom. She convinced me to stick with my natural shape, which has saved me a lot of time and headaches over the years—though now that thin brows appear to be having a resurgence, I might need an encore of her pep talk!” - Lindsay Bukiet, Senior Project Manager
6. Silk Pillowcases Are a Must
Besides the power they have to make you feel like the total queen that you are, silk pillowcases definitely have benefits for the skin and hair (think: minimal wrinkles and frizz!) because of their frictionless material.
“My mom swears by her silk/satin pillowcases. She says they reduce wrinkles." - Ally King, Sr. Integrated Marketing Manager
7. Never Leave the House Without SPF
We’ve heard it before and we’ll say it again: NEVER leave the house without applying SPF. It should be a non-negotiable in everyone’s routine, not only for cosmetic reasons, but because it protects your skin against cancer and sun damage.
“My mom taught me that protecting your skin from the sun is everything. When I was growing up, she’d wear driving gloves in the car to protect her hands and arms and a visor with an exaggerated shield to cover her face, and of course, she’d slather on SPF to the max! To this day, she has the most stunning skin of anyone I know with barely a wrinkle in sight. Now, even if I’m just walking outside for a minute to grab the mail, I make sure I have a layer of sunscreen on and try to reapply throughout the day. If I’m wearing makeup, a fine-mist sunscreen spray is a nice way of getting more SPF on without disturbing your foundation.” - Tiffany Tse, Editorial Director
8. Lipstick Is Your Desert-Island Product
If you could only have one makeup product for the rest of your life (besides SPF, of course), that product should definitely be lipstick. Why? The simple application can brighten up your face and your mood.
“I don’t think there was a moment growing up that I saw my mom and grandma without their signature swipe of lipstick. It didn’t matter if we were running to the grocery store, picking up my brother and sister from their sporting events (I’m not really the athletic type, so I was usually on pickup duty!), or even going to a movie. According to Carolyn and Betty, everyone could use a little color—and they’re totally right. A dab of lipstick just wakes everything up and adds some life back to your face. Their go-to shade: a mid-tone pinky brown with a little bit of shine. Even today, you can always find a couple well-loved tubes of MAC Cremesheen Lipstick in Créme in Your Coffee at the bottom of my mom’s purse.” - Maddie Aberman, Sr. Manager of Editorial
9. Don’t Go to Bed Angry
Not only will this help you feel refreshed and well-rested when you wake up the next morning, but we’re sure there’s some evidence that being angry causes wrinkles.
"Try not to go to bed angry. Your face will thank you in the morning." - Melissa Greenwald, Casting and Talent Relations
10. Vaseline Is Your BFF
The petroleum jelly has been used for generations to heal cracked, dry skin, but did you know it can do way more than just that? We think the multi-hyphenate product is a must in anyone’s routine.
“‘Vaseline for everything. Chapped lips? Vaseline. Dry hands? Vaseline. Makeup remover? Vaseline. No mascara? Vaseline.” -My mom somewhere in the house while she applies Vaseline” - Sarah Perry Johnston, Social Strategist
11. DIY Hair Products Are a Thing
We love a good DIY moment, especially when it comes to DIY hair products (hair products always have a hefty price tag). And if they promote hair growth? Sign us up.
"My mom mixes 1/4 cup white vinegar or apple cider vinegar with 3/4 cups of water and uses it as a hair/scalp rinse once a week to promote hair growth." - Kylie Moore, Sr. Project Manager
12. Sleep. Sleep. Sleep.
It may seem like a no-brainer, but getting enough sleep does wonders for your skin (they don’t call it “beauty sleep” for nothing). When you hit the sack, your skin’s blood flow increases, which helps rebuild collagen and repair UV damage.
“Sleep is important. Best beauty tip ever. LOL.” - Ahseem Rish, Project Manager
13. You Need a Skincare Routine
Routines and consistency are the most important things needed to see change, and skincare is no different. When you stick to a skincare routine specific to your skin type and concerns, you WILL see improvements. The most important products to have in your skincare regimen? Cleanser, serum, and moisturizer.
“Cleanse your face twice before bed and apply serum and moisturizer. Don't cleanse your face in the morning to retain all the natural oils!” - Rita Labib, Photographer
14. Falling Asleep With Your Makeup on Is a Sin
It happens to the best of us: You come home late, lay down for a second, and next thing you know, it’s the next day and you’ve fallen asleep with your makeup on. Our advice? Avoid this scenario at all costs. Falling asleep with your makeup on has all kinds of consequences, like premature aging, collagen degradation, and acne flare-ups. It’s best to wash off the day as soon as you walk in the door.
“My grandma has the most beautiful skin you’ve ever seen. We get stopped all the time while out by people asking her what her secret is. What does she say? ‘The number-one most important thing: NEVER go to bed at night without removing your makeup. No amount of masking and cleaning the next day will make up for this bad habit!’ She swears this is the reason why her skin looks the way it does at 87, and I have no choice but to believe her. ” - Alexandra Schultz, Sr. Copywriter
Looking for beauty to use with these tips and tricks? Take our Beauty Quiz now to get started with your own IPSY beauty subscription. Already an IPSY member? Refer your friends to earn points, which you can use toward products. Either way, don’t forget to check us out on Instagram and TikTok @IPSY.
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