9 Things We Can Learn About Beauty From Our Moms

My mom's always been better at doing her makeup than me, but that was a lot harder to acknowledge as a moody teen than as a homesick 20something. So now, four years after moving out, I take any and all beauty tips from my mom that I can get. Some are the most basic things that I should've been doing all along anyway, but that after her advice I approach with much more enthusiasm.

Obviously, everyone's mom is different. What my mother taught me to do might be something you've come up with all on your own, or it may be something that your mama would never have thought of herself. Either way, I think what makes beauty tips from our moms so special is that we feel a small connection with the matriarch in our family as we put them into action.

As I lay out all my makeup brushes to clean them, I can't help but remember watching my mom do exactly the same thing 20 years ago. (She still does, of course, I'm just not there to watch.) I was always so scared of becoming my mother, but now that I know how difficult being an adult really is, I can't imagine anything better. So without further adieu, here are some beauty lessons I've definitely picked up from the lady in my life that I'm sure many daughters will relate to.

1. Take Your Makeup Off Before Sleeping

It literally took me years before I started taking this seriously, but if you're not going through a seven stage cleansing and toning regime, it's actually pretty simple to keep up with this. At the very least, just keep a pack of makeup wipes next to your bed, just in case. And if you can't, follow some tips on how to sleep in your makeup that aren't damaging to your skin.

2. Moisturize

Seriously, don't skip this. I have dry skin, so it's especially important that I moisturize twice a day (at least!). And even with my mom's oily skin, it's still a must.

3. Use Hemorrhoid Cream To Fight Eye Bags

Maybe it's because she's a nurse. Maybe it's because she knows every trick in the book. But hemorrhoid cream to tackle eye bags is a major beauty secret that my mom always praised.

4. Put On Sun Screen... Always

You heard that right: always. I told my mom I was thinking about booking some sun bed appointments, and I've never been smacked on the head so quickly. Sun damage is a reality for a lot of people, so it's better to start being careful ASAP before it's too late.

5. If Not Sun Screen, Then Use Moisturizer Or Foundation With SPF

My Simple moisturizer has SPF 15 and my Estee Lauder foundation is SPF 10. That means I'm protected without really having to think about it. It's all the better for my lazy ass.

6. Reshape Lipsticks Over The Stove

OK, this tip is actually my great grandma's. If you — like me — wear your lipsticks down into some pretty weird and precarious shapes, you can remelt and remold them over a flame. Just use your stove, or even a candle as advised by The Today Show.

7. Clean Your Makeup Brushes

Considering how many germs can gather on your makeup brushes, rubbing them on your face every day without cleaning regularly is a pretty bad idea. To be honest, I probably still don't clean my brushes as often as I should. But at least I'm trying!

8. Take Time To Take Care Of Yourself

This is more of a life tip than anything, but making sure I take time out of my day for my skincare and makeup routines actually helps to alleviate my anxiety. My mom gets up an hour earlier than she needs to every morning, just so she can have some self love time to herself.

9. Don't Be Afraid To Invest

The first time you use a fancy foundation is honestly a turning point in any makeup lover's life, and I've personally never looked back since my moment. My makeup is more than just makeup. It's my mask with which I can take on the world. It's an artistic expression of myself and how I feel that day. And it's the one hobby I've kept up with through the years. Although there are plenty of great, inexpensive makeup brands out there, the big names in the game are popular for a reason.

So basically — as with anything — mom knows best. I sincerely regret not taking advantage of my mom's wealth of knowledge for so long, especially when it comes to skincare and beauty. As much as I probably needed to make my own mistakes — like blue mascara and too much blush — I should've just saved myself the hassle and the embarrassing Facebook pictures by listening to her beauty advice.

Image: Georgina Jones