Beauty Advice from Our Moms

"You're not chic if you're constantly brushing overgrown bangs out of your eyes." —Lindsay Mueller, freelance writer

Mom's right. No one wants to look like a shaggy dog. Plus, by keeping your hair out of the way, your face won't absorb the product you put on your tresses, which often causes clogged pores and breakouts. Pick a new hairstyle today with the season's latest trends.

"My mother chooses her perfume depending on her mood. For example, when she needs a little energy boost, she wears Clinique Happy. On crazy, chaotic days she wears Kenzo Peace, and when the weather is crappy we both wear a tropical floral scent like Island Michael Kors." —Andrea Lavinthal, Real Beauty senior editor

Your fragrance says a lot about you, it can reflect your mood or define your personality. Stressed-out and looking for some serenity? Check out these scents to keep you calm and find your perfect scent.

"My mom told me to never pluck your own eyebrows, because you don't want to end up having to draw them on." —Sara Hennessey, freelance writer

Some people are better at plucking than others, that's a fact. Maybe Mom was trying to look out for you, or maybe she was trying to avoid a long night of tears and holing up in the bathroom for hours with her one-eyebrow daughter. If you like tweezing your own brows but find you've overplucked, fill in bare spots with a brow pencil, like the Clinique Brow Shaper.

Summer's Eve® Feminine Wash lets you begin your day feeling clean, fresh, and confident. Designed for daily use, it puts a bright spot in every morning.

Click here to learn more!

"My mom got remarried when I was 10 years old. We went from a house of all girls to a house with two new, rowdy stepbrothers. Beauty routines that were done pretty publicly, like shaving our legs and even bleaching unwanted hair, had to now be done behind closed doors. That's when I realized boys have no clue what it takes to get ready! We pluck, tweeze, and dye and while they always appreciate the final product, they are clueless as to how much work we actually put into looking that way! My brothers still don't understand why I own a blow-dryer." —Colleen Moody, Real Beauty associate editor

We don't need Mom to tell us boys are clueless. Whether it's beauty or fitness, some guys they think we wake up looking naturally beautiful and fit. If you want to get your guy involved in the process, try these fun ways to do it together.

"If I needed to add some extra shine to my hair my mom would pass the vinegar and say 'Rinse!' Though it's not the most pleasant smelling trick, it's an inexpensive way to add extra luster to your locks!" —Elizabeth Griffin, Real Beauty photo editor

Vinegar is just one of the home remedies we've come to know and love. The acid from the vinegar closes off your cuticles, which in turn makes your hair glossier. Find other DIY recipes to try.

"Mom told me not to borrow trouble, because worrying will give you wrinkles."—Ariana Finlayson, Real Beauty associate editor

You can say that again! Stressing causes unwanted fine lines, zaps our energy, and is just downright unpleasant! If you find yourself with a constant furrowed brow, create an at-home spa with these quick tips.

"After you wash your face, pat it with a dry towel — never rub!" —Deanne Hess, Real Beauty web director

Rubbing your face can cause wrinkles and lines we never asked for. Gently patting will get the moisture off without irritating your skin. Get solutions for more beauty bummers.

Summer's Eve® Feminine Cleansing Cloths are the solution to keep that shower-fresh clean feeling all day. These cloths gently remove odor so you can stay feeling fresh.

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"Always, always, always moisturize your body as soon as you get out of the shower. This will prevent your legs from looking like dry alligator legs!" —Lindsay Mueller, freelance writer

Moisturizing as soon as you step out of the shower is smart, especially if your skin is still slightly damp. The moisture will lock in better than it would on completely dry skin, helping to prevent stretch marks and giving you soft, silky skin. Combine this tidbit of knowledge with these tricks for killer legs this summer.

"I have to give a shout-out to my dad because he really is the true 'beautyista' in the family, and even taught me the power of a good blowout! He used to blow-dry my hair when I was a kid and it looked so good that even at six years old I was working major hair confidence!" —Andrea Lavinthal, Real Beauty senior editor

Okay, maybe some guys really do know how long it takes us to get ready!

"Whenever my mom would do my hair, I would always complain that she was pulling too tightly. She'd quote Billy Crystal's SNL character, Fernando Lamas (hilarious Argentinean accent included), and say, 'It is better to look good than to feel good!'" —Sara Hennessey, freelance writer

We don't advise making yourself go bald to get the perfect ponytail, but let's face it: Sometimes the things we do in the name of beauty can be a bit uncomfortable. Take a look at these products that can ease your beauty pain.

"Never put water directly on your face. Instead, my mom uses a cream face wash and takes it off with a warm washcloth. In the morning, she uses a cold washcloth to wipe across her eyelids and wake her up. She got this advice from her Aunt Mary, and though I don't follow it, she still does it to this day and has a beautiful complexion because of it. Guess this is one more time I have to say you were right, Mom!" —Colleen Moody, Real Beauty associate editor

Water does have a tendency to dry your skin out, but if you prefer scrubs to creams, try one of these three new cleansers for your brightest, cleanest skin yet.

Summer's Eve® Feminine Cleansing Cloths are ideal for use every day especially while on your period, when you may need a little extra cleanliness and odor control. Take them with you to use whenever, wherever.

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"Hang your head over the side of the bed backwards (face up) each day for a few minutes to prevent sagging and aging." —Elizabeth Griffin, Real Beauty photo editor

While hanging upside down won't be the miracle elixir for the fountain of youth, allowing the blood to flow to your upper body gives your skin a youthful, flushed-cheek vibrant glow while also improving your blood circulation. Check out our other beauty-lifesaver tips.

"Use baby skin-care products. They are the most gentle and leave your skin super-soft." —Ariana Finlayson, Real Beauty associate editor

Baby products like Johnson and Johnson's Head-to-Toe Fragrance Free Baby Lotion are designed to be gentle enough for an infant's skin. But sometimes our skin needs some TLC too! If you find a lot of lotions and scrubs leave your skin looking irritated and scratchy, switch them out for a hypoallergenic alternative like this one.