Aside from how to poach an egg, and the severity of a tissue ending up in the washing machine, mum’s taught us a whole bunch of stuff. Beauty advice included. Perhaps you’ve been bleaching your locks with lemon juice since the tender age of 12, or rubbing Vaseline into your lashes every night. Whatever advice has stuck, you’re probably (like us) curious to know which of mum’s ‘tips’ are actually true. We’ve done the digging, and it’s time to debunk some mum myths (with the help of industry experts). Hair, nails, brows – all the stuff you’ve been wondering for years – answered in one beauty bible.
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1 Tip #1 Condition your split ends overnight by applying almond oil and wrapping in cling filmWhat the expert says:
Conditioning keeps hair feeling its best, and prevents damage (like split ends). Natural oils – like almond – will maintain healthy condition. Run a small amount through the lengths of damp hair for a moisture boost. Treatment masks work well too; try one out once, or twice, a week.
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2 Tip #2 Soak your feet in lemon juice to freshen up your natural nails and remove nail polish stains
What the expert says:
Lemon's great for whitening nails and removing polish stains. As with the majority of Vitamin C and alpha – Hydroxy Acid can also help to brighten nails fibres and crack all the leftover substances on the nails surface. Add baking soda into the mix to work on firm stains, or coconut oil for extra nourishing.
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3 Tip #3 A hot flannel is your best friend – use it to steam your face and to buff off your cleanser. It's like a mini facial
A hot flannel will create Erythema (redness), while improving blood circulation in the skin. The heat will also help to 'open' pores, which is ideal for pre-cleansing.
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4 Tip #4 Don't over-pluck your brows, get them shaped and follow with tweezers
What the expert says:
Check in with your brow pro every 4-6 weeks to keep your brows looking perfect. This will encourage the hairs to grow more slowly. Castor oil is also great for growing-out, as is rosemary oil (a trick that's rarely talked about). The two mixed together will work wonders.
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5 Tip #5 Always wear SPF on your face (even in winter)
What the expert says:
100% – it's a fact backed up by dermatologists worldwide. Even when the sun's not out, there are UVA, UVB and infrared rays still targeting your skin (speeding up the ageing process and increasing the risk of skin cancer). Use a minimum of SPF 30; anything lower isn't effective. Make sure it's Broad Spectrum and ideally contains Zinc Oxide, which reflects the sun's rays.
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6 Tip #6 Treat your hairdresser like a dentist, visit regularly. Think of it like maintenance
What the expert says:
Agreed. Regular trims are essential to keeping hair healthy and allowing it to grow. Without removing split ends, hair can become weak and snap.
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7 Tip #7 Shampoo your roots and condition the ends – not both
What the expert says:
Mum's right. Our roots are oily and need to be shampoo'd (unless your hair is dirty from sports or from work – like being in a dusty environment). When washing, massage the shampoo into the root and the lather will work its way down. We'd recommend using conditioner on the mid-lengths and ends – smoothing and sealing open cuticles. Hair at the roots shouldn't need conditioning as the oil you have just helped wash away with the shampoo should be enough to keep it healthy.
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8 Tip #8 To avoid frizzy hair after washing, pat dry with a cotton t-shirt instead of rubbing with a bath towel
What the expert says:
Definitely pat dry. Your hair is most 'vulnerable' and prone to breakage when wet, so rubbing with a towel can cause breakage. Instead, pat with a cotton t-shirt, or microfibre towel. This will absorb water, reduce frizz, and be more gentle on your hair.
