No matter who you are or what you do, there are always ideals of beauty to live up to. Trouble is, they’re always changing! And if you were born before the turn of the millennium, you’ve already lived through several distinct eras, each with their own different ideas about the perfect woman. It’s hard to keep up.
A history of beauty
But spare a thought for those poor women who were born in the decades before you. Ladies of both the near and distant past have had to do all sorts of crazy things — covering themselves in toxic products, dying their hair with urine; the cringe-inducing list goes on — to try to look "pretty".
Maybe it’s best to just appreciate that beauty comes from within? From Ancient Greece to the new millennium, the phrase "beauty is pain" never seems to go out of style...
Ancient Greece — 1200 BC-323 BC
The look: Round figure, pale skin, red hair, dark eyesPlenty happened in Ancient Greece that set the foundations for the modern day. And although Grecian innovations such as the water mill and urban planning certainly helped shape today's living standards, beauty standards were very different back then.
We know from statues and drawings that the Greek goddess of beauty, Aphrodite, was presented as a large and full-figured woman. Women of that era had to suffer to look like Aphrodite, though.
Bad ideas
Nowadays some women risk skin cancer in order to obtain the perfect tan, but women in Ancient Greece were so desperate for pale skin that they used a paste called “ceruse.” We know now that it was toxic and wouldn’t have done them much good at all.
And you can argue that the Greeks’ whole perception of beauty was toxic. They believed that physical attractiveness was proof of goodness, so if you were ugly you were plain out of luck — and considered to be a sinful being.
Late Renaissance Italy — 1520-1600
The look: Round figure, rosy cheeks, blonde hairThe Renaissance formed beauty standards for women that still echo in the world today. But, unlike the modern age, the people of that era didn’t value thinness.
Their ideal female figure was, yep, one with lots of flesh on her. A curvy body was the feminine ideal, especially since curves were equated with fertility. And what's more feminine than the ability to bear healthy children? Some of the attributes that Renaissance-era society did value, though, often led to trouble.
Leechy keen
Women of the era used all sorts of dangerous things to achieve the ideal of pale white skin and red rosy cheeks. One of these was… leeches.
Yes, they put leeches on their faces to draw the blood out and make them super pale. Yeeesh. And while they were doing that, they’d sometimes also dye (more like bleach) their hair with sulfur and the rays of the sun. Sure, their scalps would burn and their hair would fall out, but that's a small price to pay for bleach-blonde tresses!
The Elizabethans — 1558-1603
The look: Plump, pale, and perfect skin, light hairSome wild things happened with female beauty standards during the time of Queen Elizabeth I. The ideal woman of that period was “Rubenesque,” or voluptuous and sensual, with unblemished light skin and hair.
You can see plenty of examples of this kind of beauty in paintings of high-class ladies from that time period. But in an era before even indoor plumbing existed, good looks were pretty hard to obtain off of the canvas.
Dying to be pretty
Even Queen Elizabeth herself couldn’t live up to the standards of the time. Unable to achieve a pale complexion, she slathered her face in white makeup instead.
It's also been said that Elizabeth suffered from smallpox which left her with visible scarring on her face. Alas, what she used to cover these scars was most likely toxic, which would’ve made her face look worse. And other women of the time went to ridiculous lengths to get that idealized light blonde hair. What was in their hair dye? Urine.
Austen Heroines — 1811-1820
The look: Plump body and face, dimples, pale skin, curly hairJane Austen wrote many of her novels during the Regency period. And thanks to her and other writers of the time, we have a pretty good idea of how a Regency lady was expected to look and act.
If you hoped to find a husband, then you ideally needed a plump and healthy body — in those days a sign that you were wealthy. Plus, a plump and healthy body was more likely to produce lots of healthy babies.
Health and wealth
Pale-faced ladies also denoted prosperity, because only people who had to labor outdoors gained suntans. And then there was the hair.
If your hair was healthy, that was surely a sign that you were, too. And this was just what a potential suitor was looking for... especially since you’d probably have to bear children. Yeah, those Regency-era romances don't seem quite as romantic once you learn how they turned a potential wife into a checklist!
Early Victorian Era — 1830s-1860s
The look: Round-bodied, cinched waist, bright eyes, pale skinQueen Victoria was a mere 18 years old when she took the throne in 1837, and as monarch, she presented the ideal that other women were meant to emulate. She was pretty by the standards of the era, too.
When Victoria was still a kid, her uncle’s mistress reportedly described her as “fresh and round like a red rosebud, with flying curls and large luminous eyes.” And those “large luminous eyes” were a mark of beauty in early Victorian times — something women went to ridiculous lengths to get.
Eye of the beholder
Some opted to apply a toxic eye-drop concoction known as “belladonna” to make their peepers shine, even though it ruined their vision. Very pale skin was also fetishized, with ladies even drawing veins on their skin to make it seem more translucent.
We don't know about you, but veins don't always scream "beauty" these days. In fact, women are more likely to cover up any imperfections with makeup. And of course, tanning never seems to go out of style.
Later Victorian Era — 1860s-1900s
The look: Large busts, bell-shaped figure, covered head, no makeupThe Victorian era lasted a long time, and the ideal of the perfect woman changed as the years went by. Soon, women were seeking a “bell” figure with a large bust, and dresses that accentuated said features became popular.
But there were also strict societal rules concerning women’s attire (shockingly). For example, it was scandalous for a lady to be out in public without a hat. Oh, the scandal!
Good girls
Religion also played a strong part in what was seen as “proper” for a Victorian woman. A lady deemed to be wearing excessive makeup would be frowned upon because she was seen as trying to hide her “God-given” natural beauty.
That being said, there were good reasons not to wear makeup — many products had nasty stuff such as mercury and lead in them. If used too frequently, women would experience tremors, memory problems, renal failure, and eventually death.
The Gibson Girls — 1910s
The look: Tiny waist, round body, natural face, big hairThe ideal woman of the 1910s had a name: the Gibson Girl. We get that title from illustrator Charles Dana Gibson, whose magazine images of the era’s “new woman” created a stir and caused ladies all over America to seek out the ideal he portrayed.
Gibson Girls had curvy busts and hips but a small waist — a perfect S shape, in other words. As any woman knows, however, achieving this popular shape hardly ever happened naturally, hence those terrible corsets.
Changing times
As for the face, the ideal Gibson Girl was pale and almost make-up-free, using perhaps only a small bit of rouge on the cheeks and red on the lips — enough to make her look like she just want for an invigorating walk, but not too much to make her look fake. In between tending to her looks, she’d ideally participate in athletics, play musical instruments, or shop for the latest fashions.
She was more independent than some of the women who came before her… but not too independent, of course.
The Flappers — 1920s
The look: Androgynous figure, short hair, dainty lipsCome the era known as the Roaring Twenties, a more tomboyish figure was the desirable standard. The most fashionable ladies of the time were known as “flappers,” and you’ve probably seen them in countless Hollywood movies.
They had a lean, almost boyish body shape and delicate facial features. The goal was to appear to be both feminine, innocent, and sexy all at once. And who could forget that iconic bobbed hairstyle?
Drama
By this era, the concept of the “movie star” was coming into being, and this had an influence on makeup. Some women chose to make their facial features more dramatic when they went out on the town.
And the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922 spurred numerous American females to take an interest in what was perceived as an “Egyptian” look — this meant more experimental makeup looks, more dramatic facial features, and more stronger body types.
The Ice Queens — 1930s
The look: Big eyes, thin eyebrows, curves, hipsBy the 1930s, the flapper look was out of fashion. Now a blonde, glacial appearance was all the rage.
And even though the Great Depression came to define most of that decade, women still wanted to look good, so lipstick sales shot up. They also wanted to look like the Hollywood icons of the time — the likes of Jean Harlow and Greta Garbo, in particular. Both actresses walked the line between soft and hard, a balance that other women also tried to strike.
Thin brows, big eyes
Women were still expected to spend a long time at the makeup table, though. Eyebrows were supposed to be thin, so every lady needed a pair of tweezers in her bag.
Mascara, eyeliner, and eyeshadow were used to amplify eyes, and contouring started coming into vogue. It all took a lot of work, but for many, it was totally worth it if it meant looking like Norma Shearer or Marlene Dietrich.
The Military Look — 1940s
The look: Broad shoulders, sharp angles, long legs, homemade cosmeticsThe specter of World War Two hung over the 1940s and massively influenced the beauty standards of the time. Suddenly fashion had a military aesthetic, and the ideal body shape for a woman became less about softness and more about hardness.
It was all sharp angles and long legs — especially the legs. Betty Grable’s were particularly admired, and her photograph was often pinned into soldiers' lockers, hence the phrase "pin-up girl".
Hard times
Because of the war, makeup was hard to get hold of. A lot of the usual products contained glycerol, which needed to be used for the construction of weaponry instead.
So, women improvised. If there wasn’t any lipstick, they used beetroot juice to tint their lips. And once mascara was gone, they spread burnt cork onto their lashes instead. The war effort forced women to think creatively and efficiently about makeup, which undoubtedly explains why so many women wore a bright red lip in the '40s: it was a simple but effective way of standing out without using too much makeup.
The Famous Pin-Ups — 1950s
The look: Lots of curves, simple makeup, natural skin tonesAfter World War Two, luxury fashions and cosmetics gradually started to come back with a vengeance, and pin-up girls gained more recognition and set the beauty trends. And now there was a new player in the game of promoting desirable body images — television.
The ideal woman as presented on TV was curvy, smiley, flirtatious, and the sort of girl whom men couldn't keep their eyes off of. The "perfect" woman was also determined by her ability to do it "all" — to be the best mom, the best wife, the best homemaker, and so on.
Blonde Bombshell
Marilyn Monroe is, of course, the best-known example of the blonde bombshells so popular in this era. Her poster was on a lot of walls.
She reportedly once said, “I think that sexuality is only attractive when it’s natural and spontaneous,” which perhaps flies in the face of the general idea of what womanhood was during the 1950s. After all, it took a lot of time, money, and planning for the average woman to look even half as put-together as Marilyn Monroe.
The Game Changers — 1960s
The look: Young-looking, skinny, long legs, dramatic makeupThings changed in the 1960s. It’s arguably the beginning of what we’d call “modern” fashion — and the start of the idea that to be beautiful one had to be super skinny.
This was a huge departure from the previous 100 years, when curves were considered to be the ultimate sign of femininity. It was no more true then than it is now, of course, but plenty of women surely dieted to fit into the skirts and pants that the Swinging Sixties ushered in.
Swinging Society
Everything was colorful — colorful makeup, colorful hair, colorful clothes. Gone were the sad, drab wartime days; the '60s were all about trying to stand out in a functional, realistic way.
And suddenly women were finding themselves with many more options for what they wore in everyday life. Previously, society dictated that they dress conservatively, but now they were free to show skin in the new creation called “the miniskirt." It was as eye-catching as it was progressive.
The Revolutionaries — 1970s
The look: Big hair, thin physique, little makeupThe 1970s took what’d been popularized in the 1960s and made it bigger and bolder. In terms of fashion, hemlines were still short and models were still skinny, but women were starting to demand the right to set their own beauty standards — and much more.
Some women turned their backs on beauty products altogether, while others opted for “barely there” makeup. Less was more in the '70s, and effortless beauty was valued above all else, even if achieving it required much more "effort" than it seemed.
Breaking the rules
Throughout the 1970s, fashion became more androgynous, blurring lines about what ordinary women “should” wear. And big, natural hair became a symbol of independence.
White women often wore their hair in a “feathered” style like Farrah Fawcett, while Black women proudly sported afros. Other women preferred the "effortless" straight hair parted down the middle, which of course required at least an hour with a hair dryer or straightener on maximum heat. Times were changing, and image was everything, regardless of where you came from.
The Supermodels — 1980s
The look: Svelte, tall, lots of makeup, dramatic cheekbonesThis era saw the rise of the supermodel: tall, beautiful women who symbolized the ideal others should try to attain. Ironically, supermodels were often chosen for the features that made them unique, such as Cindy Crawford's beauty mark or Iman's statuesque height.
Other models such as Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington, and Linda Evangelista were on every TV. And when they weren’t, pop stars filled the screens with bold new makeup looks.
Hair everywhere
In the 1980s, bigger was better when it came to both makeup and hair. Spray, mousse, eyeshadow, blush — all that and more was on the dresser of an average 1980s woman.
But “imperfections” were also more celebrated than they’d been in the past. For example, people loved Madonna’s mole so much that they drew on their own with eyeliner pencil! After the earth-toned natural trend of the '70s, color returned with a vengeance in the '80s, especially when it came to eyeshadow, blush, and even hair, if you were into the punk look.
The Waifs — 1990s
The look: Very thin, pale skin, fresh faceMany will tell you that the 1990s promoted some pretty unhealthy body ideals. The standard of beauty back then, as exemplified by models such as Kate Moss, was thinness taken to its highest extreme.
Not only that, but pale skin, tired eyes, and a generally disheveled appearance were popular. Some called this look the rather tactless terms “homeless chic" or "heroin chic." Moss herself once said that "nothing tastes as good as skinny feels" — a quote that hasn't aged particularly well.
Thin to win
Diet culture was especially dangerous at this time, so beauty often required women to walk the line between "model-thin" and "dangerously thin". The trick was to only look unhealthy, rather than be unhealthy.
Complexions had to be flawless, and makeup still had to be applied. Unless, of course, you decided to rebel — there were some out-of-the-ordinary looks in the 1990s as well, and tattoos and piercings began to take off. Just look at the Spice Girls, who each embodied their unique brand of beauty, from "Scary" to "Posh" to "Sporty."
Early New Millennium — 2000-2005
The look: Washboard abs, exposed midriffs, glossy lips, fake tanA lot of huge changes happened in the 2000s, including ones relating to body image and beauty. But generally things started off by building on what’d been established during the 1980s and 1990s.
Fashion for girls and women was quite casual and fun— there was lip gloss and fake tan everywhere you looked. Of course, achieving these beauty standards was much easier if you happened to fit into the pre-determined body shape — if you were super skinny, in other words.
Objections
But as time went on, a pushback started against thinness being promoted as the only standard of female beauty. Concerns were raised about the mental health issues it could inflict on young actresses, not to mention the physical-health issues as well.
Thankfully, things began to change as the scale of the problem became clear. If you weren't naturally skinny, then maintaining a rail-thin body just wasn't sustainable. It was time for a change, and a few influential women helped usher in the new beauty standard.
Later New Millennium — 2006-2010
The look: Healthy curves, glowing skin, hair highlightsBy 2007 female celebrities had started speaking out about the impossible standards demanded of them, and magazines began promoting people who weren’t a size zero. Stars such as Jennifer Lopez, Tyra Banks, and Beyoncé were now being celebrated for their curves, not to mention all their other marks of beauty.
Gone were the days when exhaustion and starvation were celebrated; by the late 2000s, the goal was to look bright-eyed, refreshed, and legitimately healthy.
New choices
At the end of the 2000s, things were very different from how they’d been at the beginning. Clothing had gotten shorter and skimpier, and hair had changed, too.
Teenagers often went through multiple different hairstyles and colors in just a few years, dying and highlighting whenever the mood struck them. Beauty was about freedom of expression, whether you wanted to rock edgy goth-inspired clothing or hot-pink rockstar glam. Shimmery, frosty makeup looks were popular, especially in pastel shades.
The Modern-ish Day — 2010s
The look: Curves but flat stomach, contoured face, smokey eyesAnother big societal change happened in the 2010s… the rise and rise of reality TV. For better or worse, stars of the medium became massive influences regarding what women wanted to look like.
Many consider Kim Kardashian’s body shape — big curves in the right places, but a perfectly flat stomach — to be the ideal, although Kim herself would likely admit that she didn't attain her hourglass figure solely through sit-ups. It usually takes lots of makeup, tanning, and some plastic surgery to look as good as she does!
Media image
It’s worth bearing in mind that many of the celebs who have “perfect” bodies very possibly used plastic surgery at some point — which is nothing to be ashamed of, but just goes to show how unattainable “perfection” is. Even your favorite star’s makeup, such as Kim and her family’s famous contours, might’ve been created by a professional.
In fact, Kim's longtime makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic now has his own successful makeup line!
The Modern Day — 2020s
The look: Accepting “imperfections,” neon makeup, face embellishmentsThe 2020s have only just started, and they’ve been a wild ride, to say the least — but they’ve already spawned some fashion and beauty trends. For example, the Zendaya-starring TV show Euphoria is having a big influence on what women wear, including brightly colored makeup and adhesive jewels for the face.
It's a glamorous party-girl-at-2-in-the-morning look that involves elaborate braided hairstyles, long highlighted tresses, and sparkly eyeshadow that makes your eyes pop.
Acceptance
And now society seems to be leaning more towards the idea of body acceptance instead of just body positivity. The difference?
Body acceptance is the idea that you may not be 100 percent happy with the skin you’re in, but it’s good for your mental health to embrace it nevertheless. The sooner you work on embracing your natural beauty, the sooner you start feeling empowered — and the sooner you can fill your closet with clothes that make you feel beautiful.
The next few decades
It’s impossible to know what beauty standards will be like in the future — especially with surgical technology developing all the time —but hopefully the trend of body positivity and acceptance will continue. One thing’s for sure: we’ve all come a long way since the days of dripping poisonous belladonna into our eyes!
If the trends from the past tell us anything about the future, it's that we'll continue to embrace what makes us each unique. Those who have lived through several decades of beauty standards could certainly tell us a thing or two about which trends are in and which are out.
Embrace what you love
And the 'tricks' you can use to always appear "with it" — and therefore, younger than you really are — are easier and cheaper than people think. When it comes to your wardrobe, for example, if you don’t “love” your clothes, that negative feeling can transmit itself when you slip them on.
Before you know it, you look older than you really are. So the next time you shop, buy what you love, regardless of fashion "rules".
Superduper sunscreen
When it comes to aging gracefully, there’s one product that doctors just may recommend more than any other: sunscreen! “Even when [grandma] was in her 50s and 60s no one could ever guess her age,” Stefanie Parks, founder of a dermatologist-approved skincare company, told Reader’s Digest.
Her grandma’s secret? “She always covered up, wearing sunscreen, hats, long sleeves, and pants, and would even walk around with an umbrella to protect her skin from the sun.”
"Nothing works better" than Vaseline
Here’s another iconic product that’s almost definitely in your bathroom somewhere: Vaseline! Shelley T.
told BedTimez that the petroleum jelly brand does more than soothe cuts, burns, and dry skin. “[I use] Vaseline to remove my eye makeup,” she revealed. “Nothing works better.” Add “makeup remover” to Vaseline’s long list of uses!
One lipstick, many possibilities
If grandmas are famous for anything, it’s knowing how to best take advantage of a single product. For celebrity stylist Sunnie Brook Jones’ grandmother, lipstick can be used to brighten up everything from your lips to your cheeks to your eyes.
As Jones says, “a little glow” and “a hint of shine” can go a long way.
Don't sleep on your face!
Sometimes, there’s nothing cozier than cuddling up to your pillow and sleeping on your stomach. But as you may have heard your grandma say once (or a million) times, stomach-sleeping can make your face look a little distorted over time, not to mention wrinkly.
“Sleep wrinkles form in response to distortion created when the face is pressed against any sleep surface,” Dr. Goesel Anson wrote in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal.
Velcro hair rollers are classics
If you spend hours toiling with your curling iron, then consider taking Vickie W.’s advice. She told website BedTimez, “I still use velcro hair rollers.
I always will. They make a better set that lasts longer than a curling iron.” Plus, velcro rollers don’t use heat. Who knew you could create bouncy curls without frying your hair in the process?
Use colored eyeliner
Now here’s a beauty tip we can trust! The granddaughter of 1953’s Miss World for Sweden told Reader’s Digest about one of her grandmother’s tried-and-true tricks for bright, entrancing eyes: colored eyeliner!
Apparently, using a subtle blue liner for blue eyes, brown liner for brown eyes, and so on, is a much softer way of making your eyes pop. No more stark black liner for us!
Cold cream is iconic
You know how in old movies, women always take their makeup off by slathering their faces with cold cream? Well, according to Kathy E., those ladies were onto something.
“Say what you want, but I’ll never give up my cold cream. I use Ponds to take my makeup off every night,” she told BedTimez. And doctors agree that Ponds cold cream is iconic for a reason: it can moisturize and remove makeup, all in one wash.
Rub your face with veggie peels
This one may sound a little strange, but one woman’s grandmother swears by it! A lady named Jennifer Isaac told Reader’s Digest all about her grandmother’s penchant for rubbing vegetable and fruit peels on her skin.
“It turns out they are wonderful natural moisturizers and provide the skin [with] nutrient-rich benefits,” she said. It’s unclear whether or not this is actually true, but hey, why not give it a shot? Think twice before tossing avocado peel into the trash!
Nature's conditioner
Ever heard of “nature’s conditioner?” Yes, we’re talking about using your hair’s natural oils to your advantage — and in the simplest way. “My grandma always used to brush her hair 100 strokes before bedtime to stimulate the natural oils of the scalp and move them down the rest of the hair shaft,” James Corbett, who works for Clairol, told Reader’s Digest.
Why not try it for yourself? You’ll be on the way to achieving luscious locks!
Highlight your brow bone
Eyebrow trends seem to change with the seasons, but there’s one eyebrow makeup technique that may never go out of style…depending on who you ask, that is. “I’ve worn white eyeshadow below my eyebrows since 1977,” Marie S.
told BedTimez. “I think my face looks incomplete until I’ve highlighted my brow bone.” Take it from Marie — there’s nothing like a highlighted brow bone.
Blush comes naturally
Why buy expensive blush when you can do it naturally? “My great-grandmother… told me that just before meeting a date I should pinch my cheeks to look like I’m wearing rouge,” Colin Tracy, owner of Chelsea’s Boutique, told Reader’s Digest.
The boutique owner says it’s a free replacement for blush. And it’ll always be the right shade for your skin!
"Trendy" clay masks
The “trendy” clay masks everyone uses at the spa could very well be the secret to avoiding fine lines and age spots! “I’ve been doing [clay masks] every Sunday night since college, and I have barely any wrinkles or blemishes at seventy years old,” Rhona W.
told BedTimez. Apparently, the ingredient bentonite is what seems to prevent dryness and leaves skin feeling hydrated.
Vanilla's sweet scent
There’s a sweet alternative to pricey perfume, and it’s sitting in your kitchen cupboard! As Colin Tracy recalled to Reader’s Digest, “My great-grandmother told me to go to the spice cabinet, grab a bottle of vanilla, and rub a little bit on both sides of your neck.”
After all, everyone loves the sugary scent of vanilla, right?
No more nail polish
Elaborate, colorful nails are all the rage right now, and there’s no denying their appeal. But according to a few grandmothers out there, short, clean nails will never go out of style.
A celebrity nail tech told Reader’s Digest how her grandmother’s long career as a nurse meant she wasn’t allowed to use dark polish, which resulted in the “most beautiful, natural-looking nails.”
DIY hot oil hair treatment
If you struggle to reign in dry, frizzy hair, you may not have to shell out hundreds of dollars at the salon to solve your problem. Lifestyle guru Sarika Batra told Reader’s Digest all about her grandmother’s DIY hot oil hair treatment trick to create long, thick, silky hair.
Apparently, all you need to do is mix “[two] tbsp each of amla, coconut, and caster oils” together, heat them up, and then rub the concoction on your scalp and through your locks before washing your hair.
Red lipstick is timeless
If there’s a makeup staple every beauty-lover should own, it’s red lipstick. Not only is it effortlessly chic, but according to one grandmother, it never goes out of style.
“There’s no reason to own nude lipstick,” a woman named Jeanne S. told the website BedTimez. “Red lipstick only. Berry for day, fire engine for night.” We’ll add it to our shopping list…
Put perfume in the fridge
In the throes of summer heat, there’s nothing more refreshing than a cooling spritz of your favorite perfume. A woman told Reader’s Digest how her grandma’s trick to beating the heat (and the subsequent body odor) was to store perfume in the fridge.
And according to the experts, grandma wasn’t wrong! The chilly darkness of the fridge prevents perfume from spoiling, which means your expensive scent will last for much longer — and feel even more rejuvenating.
Aquanet, all the time
With all of the haircare products on the market, a simple trip to the drug store can be very overwhelming indeed. But as Caroline J.
told BedTimez, finding a go-to hairspray doesn’t have to take years of trial and error. “The purple can of Aquanet,” she said simply when relaying her go-to beauty secret. “It’s $2, and it keeps my hair exactly where I want it since 1985.” Now that’s consistency!
Taking organic to the next level
It’s always good to buy organic products, but what if you took “organic” to the next level? Yes, we’re talking about growing your own skincare products!
As Daisy Jing, founder of successful skincare company Banish, told Reader’s Digest, “My Chinese grandmother had lots of great beauty advice… most of it centered on simple products she made from plants in our backyard.” From preparing green tea ice cubes to growing aloe leaves, Jing’s grandma knew exactly how to achieve “silky smooth skin” and glossy hair the natural way.
Olive oil: not just for pasta
Skincare expert Valerie Albertini shared one of her grandmother’s best beauty tips with Reader’s Digest. And it’s rooted in her Italian heritage.
“Because she is Italian any dry spot or skin irritation was treated with a healthy dose of olive oil.” Apparently, according to website Very Well Health, olive oil “helps to lock moisture in.” This means you should use it right after you moisturize under any makeup.
Subtle signature scent
Your “signature scent” doesn’t have to be the most expensive perfume on the market. As celebrity stylist Charles Baker Strahan told Reader’s Digest, all his grandmother needed to smell amazing was drugstore shampoo!
“To this day whenever I smell that shampoo it’s like getting a hug from my grandma,” Strahan said.
Honey is healing
If your grandma scoffs at the price of modern-day medicine, it may be because she knows a secret: sometimes, the cure for minor ailments already exists in our pantries. As Erin Stair, the founder of a wellness company, remembered her grandmother saying, honey can help heal minor cuts and scrapes.
And Healthline agrees that the sweet nectar’s acidic properties promote healing and that it can even keep harmful bacteria at bay.
For a dewy complexion
When we hit a certain age, the advice tends to be that we should stop powdering our faces with makeup. This is because as the years tick by, our skin dries out.
And this can make powdered makeup look more textured than it should. A solution to this problem lies in your grandma's old advice: less is more when it comes to makeup! Dab on a few drops of liquid foundation instead.
Add some vinegar
Clearly, our grandmothers were onto something when they incorporated cooking products into their beauty routines! “After shampooing and conditioning, my grandma would do a final rinse with apple cider vinegar and distilled water,” James Corbett revealed to Reader’s Digest.
This was a smart move on grandma’s part, as ACV really can “improve scalp health, strengthen hair, and enhance shine,” according to Healthline.
Classic hair moisturizer
If you have dry and brittle hair, don’t despair. Your grandmother’s trusty bottles of Dark and Lovely haircare products are still lauded for their moisturizing properties.
Making sure your hair is healthy and hydrated is one of the main ways you can keep it (and yourself) looking young, dewy, and ready for anything. There’s a reason this range has been around since the ’70s!
Avoid wild makeup choices
No, we're not talking about Halloween looks! In this instance, we mean everyday makeup choices that go heavy on the eyeliner, lipstick, or foundation.
Feel free to get imaginative with your makeup, but for an everyday look, heavy makeup could age you in seconds. It’s best not to overcomplicate matters. A little color on your cheeks, lips, and eyelids can still give you a dramatic look when done right.
Don't wash your face too much
Most people know that the simplest way to get supple, blemish-free skin is to wash your face every day. That said, it’s easy to get distracted by all the flashy products and cleansing techniques out there!
As it turns out, though, scrubbing your face too much or using too many products can actually make skin problems worse. Basically, your grandma’s water-soap-rinse method is a classic for a reason.
Bushy brows are back!
Omaha Magazine claims that thicker eyebrows will make you appear younger. Obviously, it’s still worth keeping them under control via whatever method works for you, but over-plucking is a big no-no.
Pencil-thin brows are reminiscent of a time period that has long since passed, so your grandmother's advice to pluck away may actually be misguided. It's not her fault — times change!
With lipstick, less is more
And if you've suddenly found that your fashion and makeup skills could use some updating, then we have some tips for you and grandma. For example, if you “draw” your lips at home, you may want to listen up.
According to Reader’s Digest, overdrawing your lips can result in an unwanted clown-like effect. Should the lines fade away during the day, you could begin to resemble the likes of Pennywise, Ronald McDonald... you get the idea. Quite simply, it’s a look to avoid.
One or two unique accessories
The odd accessory or two can really add your personality to your appearance. But when you slap on a bunch of accessories, you may inadvertently make yourself look older.
Naturally, an abundance of those items will conceal your features. They’ll also give off untidy, jumbled vibes, which takes a very specific person to pull off. This lady is killing it, but not all of us can pull of such a whimsical look!
Embrace your new figure
As we get older, our body shape changes right along with us. If you're struggling to dress your new shape, then try to embrace your new proportions!
It’s simple: on the days you want to sport a baggy shirt, Best Life recommends grabbing a form-fitting item for your lower half, and vice-versa. You see, proportionate dressing will keep eyes on the areas you're more comfortable with.
Roses, daisies, and tulips, oh my!
Ah, floral prints: the perfect pattern for the summer! If you like to sport lots of it, though, you could be inadvertently aging yourself.
Big floral prints are simply dated, especially if you wear them every day. Whether or not floral prints really age you is up for debate, but breaking up the floral patterns once in a while couldn't hurt.
Use belts to your advantage
Did you know that belts can be useful beyond holding up a pair of trousers? No?
Well, listen up. According to Best Life, you can adapt various get-ups – including flowing gowns – by wrapping one around your midriff. Apparently, it’ll help compliment your figure and get eyes on your waistline. So don't avoid belts — use them to your advantage!
Be bold
During a conversation with Good Housekeeping, fashion expert Annabel Hodin shared this piece of advice. She said, “I think delicate patterns are too girly to wear as you get older, as they have an aging effect.
Instead, take inspiration from the Italians and go for rich colors, or choose dramatic, bold prints.” Thankfully, being bold is a good look on everyone!
Old-school cool with sunglasses
Nothing oozes old-school cool quite like a pair of sunglasses! And the best part of the timeless accessory is how it always enhances a look.
Sunglasses protect the wearer's eyes from damaging rays and helps them maintain an aura of mystery. Seriously, squinting in the sun is an old gal's game! Sunglasses are the way to go.
Try, try, try!
Depending on your age, keeping up with the latest fashion crazes can be incredibly daunting at times. Mind you, that doesn’t mean you should just stick your head in the sand!
Here's a good rule of thumb: ignore all those cheap-but-poorly-made fast fashion trends, but feel free to experiment with traditionally "younger" styles. If you like a particular garment, don’t be afraid to give it a shot!
Everyone's shape is unique!
We all have to work with our individual figures and pick out flattering styles accordingly. By ignoring your figure, though, you could be shining a spotlight on areas of your body that you aren't comfortable with, perhaps looking older in the process.
So, take notice and start to tailor your style towards your shape!
Nothing is ever "too young" for you
One of the biggest mistakes you can make as you age is believing that your body, though different than it used to be, can no longer "pull off" certain "younger" looks, whether it's a hip-hugging skirt or skinny jeans. The fashionistas at Life Style Fifty recommend investing in wrap dresses, shift dresses, and jeans of any kind no matter how many birthdays you've celebrated.
You're only as old as you feel, after all!
A pop of color
There’s no denying the fact that black is a shape-friendly shade, but that doesn’t mean you should sport the color all the time. Given that your features become muted with age, darker clothes can make it even worse – perhaps adding more years to your appearance.
Given that an aged appearance is what we’re trying to avoid, maybe tease in some color to your next getup.
Comfortable and snazzy jeans
We’ve got some news for you, folks – oversized jeans might not be the best option as you age. As per Best Life, they can wreak havoc with your shape, which doesn't do you any favors.
Form-fitting pants are a much better choice if you want to be comfortable and look snazzy.
The power of the bra
For this fashion faux-pax, a woman known as the “Bra Lady” spoke to Oprah.com. Expert Linda Becker told the website, “The wrong-size bra makes you look shorter, older and heavier.
[And] when it is on the tightest hook – that’s when you know you need a new bra.” Grab the tape measure, people!