The Best Beauty Lessons Our Editors Learned From Their Mothers

Liz Ritter, Executive Managing Editor

“The best beauty advice my mom ever gave me was something I (naturally) didn’t listen to. The minute I got to college, I started getting highlights—those chunky, stripy (per my request), unnatural-looking ones that were 10 shades lighter than my real hair color. Her only comment: “Don’t color your hair until you absolutely have to because once you do, it’s not fun.” Almost 20 years later, my almost completely gray hair requires me to make a visit to the salon on a four-week regular rotation. And, of course, she was right, it’s not fun at all.”

Leiana Briganti, Online Content Producer

“Working in the beauty industry there’s SO much temptation to try new makeup (primer, foundation, concealer, powder!) and every new skin care product (moisturizer, serum, essence, cleanser, oil!), but my mom always taught me to be careful not to put too many products on my face. I owe my clear skin to good genes (thanks, Mom and Grandma!), but I know it’s stayed this way as I’ve gotten older because of her advice to stick to what works and keep it simple.”

Image/KatBraman

Danielle Fontana, Editorial Intern 

“The best beauty lesson my mom ever taught me was to always wash my face before bed. She would tell me every single night as I went off to sleep, and would remind me of the importance of the (now) ritual if she saw makeup left on my pillowcase! Years later, I can’t thank her enough or fall asleep without a clean face—topped with serums and eye creams, of course.”

Brittany Burhop, Senior Editor

“My mom taught me the importance of following a good skin care regimen and how to layer products correctly for the best results. When I was younger, she’d take me to the Clinique counter and educate me on the products that suited my skin type. I learned about pore size and skin health early on and it’s stuck with me all these years later.”

Carolyn Hsu, Digital Managing Editor

“The best beauty thing my mom’s ever done for me is probably banning me from wearing makeup and nail polish while I was younger. Not only did that teach me that being beautiful was not associated with wearing a face of products, but it probably also seriously saved my skin! As a kid, I would’ve wanted to put all kinds of cheap, low-quality cosmetics on my face—now as an adult who understands how harmful some of those ingredients are, I’m glad I didn’t get the chance to do that. Thanks, Mom, for teaching me to be comfortable in my own skin while taking care of it at the same time!”

Tatiana Bido, Special Projects Editor

“My mom always had (and still does) an endless stash of products. My sisters and I weren’t allowed to wear makeup until we were older, but at home she let us play and experiment with her things however we wanted. I’ve always retained that sense of play and wonder in regards to beauty. When I finally got the OK to wear makeup, she took me to the makeup store for the first time and bought me my first compact and lipstick (MAC Viva Glam II lipstick and Spice liner—so ’90s). My hair has been long, short, red, brown, blond—you name it, I’ve tried it. I’ve never been afraid to try a new look, trend or technique to see what works on me and what doesn’t. Even when she disliked my choices, she still fostered my sense of individuality and expression through makeup and beauty. The one place she drew the line was not letting me get a perm in middle school. In hindsight, I should probably thank her for that.”

Elise Minton, Executive Beauty Editor

“My mother taught me how to blow out my hair in fourth grade using a butterfly clip and a big round brush. Then, to keep my hair smooth overnight and prevent frizz, she would have me use a stretched out scrunchie and make a ponytail on the top of my head, split it in half and roll my hair up in oversized Velcro rollers (she does this with my daughter when they have sleepovers). These days, I use her technique when I want body and a bit of a wave.”

Yolanda Yoh Bucher, Editor In Chief

“My mother’s advice proved to be (really) right when she told me to stop baking my skin in the sun and to keep it covered up—she always warned me that I would regret it later. Years down the line, turns out she was right and I absolutely do. Now I have freckles all over, while my mom, who took her own advice and avoided the sun, looks 20 years younger than she actually is.”