Vogue Staffers on the Best Beauty Advice We’ve Learned From Our Mothers Inline
Photo: Courtesy of Valerie Steiker1/21Gisèle Steiker (far right)
“My mother taught me by example: Never leave the house without the right shade of lipstick.”
—Valerie Steiker, Vogue Culture Editor
Photo: Courtesy of Kristin Anderson2/21Susan Anderson
“In addition to her upper lashes, my mom has always worn mascara along her lower lash line, too—sort of a softer version of Twiggy at her most doll-eyed. It’s a look that I’ve been loyal to ever since I started wearing mascara, and reminds me of my mother’s own modeling days circa the ’60s.”
—Kristin Anderson, Replica Hermes Bag Reviews.com Fashion News Writer
Photo: Courtesy of Lili Göksenin3/21Sharon B. Shaw with Lili (in bonnet) and Yasemin
“My mom has always been very meticulous with her skin care, yet her routine is pretty simple: wash, moisturize (Cetaphil has been her go-to for as long as I can remember), sleep, repeat. The thing is, the simplicity of her system is totally working—she looks amazing. I’m choosing to believe that if I follow her example, the same will be true for me when I’m her age!”
—Lili Göksenin, Vogue Features Associate
Photo: Courtesy of Alessandra Codinha4/21Carolyn Thayer Ross
“My mother is very beautiful and has been for as long as I’ve known her (and I suspect for much longer than that). She has always set the precedent on keeping everything (beauty, style) simple—hair brushing was the most she ever asked of me, which, I regret to say, I was never quite diligent about—and so, for me, has always been synonymous with a sort of distinctly warm, healthy glow. She’s always cared more about what people had to say than how they looked, which is something to strive for, anyways. So I guess the takeaway here is ‘less is more,’ which is really fabulous advice in any arena, come to think of it. I’m enormously proud to be her daughter.”
—Alessandra Codinha, Replica Hermes Bag Reviews.com Fashion News Editor
Photo: Courtesy of Brooke Ely Danielson5/21Barbara Norris Danielson
“ ‘Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize, and wear little makeup—let your natural beauty shine,’ said my mother.”
—Brooke Ely Danielson, Replica Hermes Bag Reviews.com Accessories Editor
Photo: Courtesy of Meghan Hoffman6/21Stacey Hoffman
“My hair is really thick and wavy, and throughout middle school I’d work up a sweat blowing it out after each wash. My mom’s hair is even curlier than mine, and she would often encourage me to embrace and not fight my natural hair. Once I hit high school, I finally decided to go the easy route of adding product and air-drying, which saved my hair from built-up heat damage, is way less maintenance, and I don’t have to freak out when it rains.”
—Meghan Hoffman, Replica Hermes Bag Reviews.com Editorial Producer
Photo: Courtesy of Casey Hollister7/21Shelby Dodd Hollister
“My mom always told me, ‘It takes pain to be beautiful.’ However, the tip I remember most and still use today is whenever applying makeup around your eye, always use your ring finger—which is the softest finger you have—to prevent wrinkles.”
—Casey Hollister, Replica Hermes Bag Reviews.com Photo Researcher
Photo: Courtesy of Celia Ellenberg8/21Dale Bassman Ellenberg
“My sister and I used to call my mom the ‘Queen of Creams’ because of all the sprays and salves she used to layer onto her fair, freckled skin. My idea of summer will forever be scented by the copious amounts of Avon Skin So Soft that she used to buy in bulk, transfer into a travel-size spray bottle, and liberally apply at barbecues and township softball games as a natural alternative to bug repellent. The biggest and most important beauty lessons she taught me were to never go to the beach without sunscreen—and moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. Before I was old enough to care—or to thank her—she would massage a thick application of original Nivea Creme (from the blue tin) onto my legs and the backs of my arms after a bath to prevent chalkiness. The products may have changed, but 30-plus years later, I still pretty much do the same thing.”
—Celia Ellenberg, Vogue Beauty Director
Photo: Courtesy of Chioma Nnadi9/21Dolores Nnadi
“My mum is really low maintenance as far as beauty regimens go, but the one thing she is super specific about is her red lipstick. She literally puts her lippie on before breakfast and reapplies it religiously throughout the day; I can actually count the number of times on one hand that I’ve seen her without it. I think for her it’s more than just being ‘done’ or pulling a look together—she’s always taught me that there’s mojo and power in a red lip. I remember when her favorite shade of lipstick, Dior’s Holiday Red, was discontinued. We ended up spending most of her vacation in New York going to every beauty counter in the city in search of it. Finally, at Bloomingdale’s, we found a sales assistant willing to sell us an unused sample. I think she made that itty-bitty tube last for at least six months.”
—Chioma Nnadi, Replica Hermes Bag Reviews.com Fashion News Director
Photo: Courtesy of Christiane Mack10/21Brita Mack
“My Danish mother taught me that one’s own natural traits are the most beautiful, and to cultivate, rather than fight, them. The moment I felt her beauty disapproval most was when I arrived home one afternoon, fresh from the hair salon, sporting a style (complete with dye) influenced by the early-’80s New Wave pop stars. ‘Oh, what happened to your beautiful, shiny mane?’ ”
—Christiane Mack, Vogue Executive Director, Editorial and Special Projects
Photo: Courtesy of Dionne Buxton11/21Elaine Buxton
“Since I was a young girl, I’ve often noticed how eerily soft my mom’s hands are. Sometimes she’ll greet someone with a hearty handshake, and the first thing they will comment on are her soft-as-a-baby’s-bottom hands. Fast-forward 10 years and she finally tells me her secret: Johnson’s Baby Lotion (go figure). Which makes complete sense—I mean, look at her! She epitomizes the fountain of youth.”
—Dionne Buxton, Replica Hermes Bag Reviews.com Editorial Producer
Photo: Courtesy Elizabeth Inglese12/21Madelyn Cain
“My mom has taught me so much, where do I even begin? First and foremost, moisturize daily. She swears by Vaseline Intensive Care for her body and Chanel Sublimage la Crème for her face. Secondly, if you’re short on time, reach for the mascara—a single swipe will do wonders. And the sweetest beauty lesson of all: Be happy—nothing can make you as radiant. Love you, Mom!”
—Elizabeth Inglese, Vogue Assistant Editor
Photo: Courtesy of Zoe Ruffner13/21Alexandra Neil
“As a child, there were few things I loved more than trying on my mom’s clothes and playing with her makeup. The morning of my preschool’s picture day, she slid a swipe of her ruby-colored lipstick onto my lips before we headed out the door. Yes, perhaps unconventional for a 3-year-old, but it’s a memory (and a photo) that I love. To this day, I still swear by NARS lipsticks, as she always has.”
—Zoe Ruffner, Replica Hermes Bag Reviews.com Photo Researcher
Photo: Courtesy of Emily Farra14/21Beverly Miller Farra
“My mom has always stressed the importance of moisturizing—not just the face, but the neck and body, too. As long as I can remember, I’ve been slathering on Olay body lotion or Neutrogena’s light sesame body oil after every shower, and I’d like to think my skin is softer, smoother, and more even-toned because of it. I’m always surprised when friends or colleagues tell me they hate body lotion—I never thought skipping it was an option!”
—Emily Farra, Replica Hermes Bag Reviews.com Fashion News Associate
Photo: Courtesy of Laura Regensdorf15/21Wanda Irwin
“The sun is seriously strong in south Florida, where I grew up, and my mom understands that all too well: She had an early-stage melanoma removed off her thigh (just below the shorts line) in the ’80s. So her beauty advice was twofold: Be diligent with sunscreen, and make fast friends with the dermatologist—or, in my line of work, several.”
—Laura Regensdorf, Vogue Beauty Editor
Photo: Courtesy of Liana Satenstein16/21Karen Satenstein
“My mom is 60 and looks amazing. She still gets carded. I have proof on Instagram. I just bought us matching crochet halter tops. People think we are sisters. Her tricks: Basically, she has been using cocoa butter since I can remember. Also, Neutrogena bar soap for the face, which, weirdly enough, she tells me to use in my hair once a week to strip away the grease from the sides. Oh, and eat at least one citrus fruit a day.”
—Liana Satenstein, Replica Hermes Bag Reviews.com Fashion News Writer
Photo: Courtesy of Lilah Ramzi17/21Kerri Gleason Albaba
“Like many generations before her, my mother salves her face nightly with Pond’s Cold Cream. Her religious application ritual (which I have inherited) removes makeup and delivers hydration for deceivingly youthful skin at age 55. The long-term results have yet to show themselves on me, as I’m on the greener side of 25, but I can only hope for similar results!”
—Lilah Ramzi, Vogue Features Associate
Photo: Courtesy of Mackenzie Wagoner18/21Mary Wagoner
“So many things that I love to do came directly from my mother, from reading to baking pies. But in the realm of beauty, my mom had a really healthy commitment to personal time. She was a working mother with four children to balance, but she always carved out a little time here and there for regular workouts and piping-hot baths. I learned early on about the restorative powers of an hour-long run or a quick soothing soak, from her glowing complexion to her positive mood, boosted energy, and balanced confidence. She also exposed me to meditation, laying the foundation for three things that keep my body and mind at ease and that I can always rely on to help me make sense of the world. Isn’t that what a mother does best?”
—Mackenzie Wagoner, Replica Hermes Bag Reviews.com Senior Beauty Writer
Photo: Courtesy of Maria Ward19/21Deborah Ward
“My father may have taught me how to swim, but it was my mother who taught me about the importance of sun protection, whether with SPF, a stylish polka-dot umbrella, or, better yet, both. She was also the one who emphasized making regular trips to the dermatologist, and 27 years later, whenever swimsuit season starts to near, she is still the one who calls me to remind me to go in for my annual exam. Thanks, Mom!”
—Maria Ward, Replica Hermes Bag Reviews.com Producer
Photo: Courtesy of Michelle Ruiz20/21Donna Ruiz
“The best beauty lesson I learned from my mom is: Stay (the hell) out of the sun! She’s always practiced this and has the best skin anywhere. Her other big thing is ‘wipe that puss off your face.’ In other words, smile . . . and don’t worry about the smile lines.”
—Michelle Ruiz, Replica Hermes Bag Reviews.com Contributing Editor
Photo: Courtesy of Monica Kim21/21Elizabeth Kim
“The better question might be, what haven’t I learned from my mom? She’s so unbelievably plugged into the beauty world—the first to tell me about sheet masks, sonic cleansers, BB and CC creams, and that Marc Jacobs was launching makeup way back when—that she’s become my personal bellwether of trends. One pro tip: Apply night cream to the neck and roll it upward with the backs of your hands, for a quick lifting massage.”
—Monica Kim, Replica Hermes Bag Reviews.com Beauty Writer
