As kids or teens, we probably never listened to our moms. But as we grow up and get caught up in the rat race, we start remembering their advice, suggestions, and tips, which we probably termed as ‘nagging’ in those days. But a mother’s common sense, experience, and wisdom can never be questioned. As for her beauty tips – that cannot be questioned at all, and those are timeless. All moms are pools of knowledge, and it is up to us to tap into it. Here, I have tried to recap some of my mom’s timeless beauty tips which I now religiously follow and intend to pass it on to others too –

Skin – We women know the importance of skincare. And most women try out expensive creams, lotions, cosmetics, and brands. However, the very basic of skincare is to cleanse as well as moisturize. We tend to forget that our kitchen cupboards have all the cosmetics that one might need. My mom has always taught me to use gram flour (besan) for cleansing my face. This is an all-time recipe that works excellently for most skin types. Depending on the kind of skin you have, you can mix gram flour with milk, curd, or just plain water. Some might even prefer adding a little turmeric. Not too much, though, else it might give your skin a yellowish tinge. You could even use Curcuma Aromatica or Kasturi Manjal, which is very aromatic. The turmeric also takes care of your facial hair.

If you want to pamper your skin with some masks, then once again raid your kitchen cupboard. Just a mask of honey and lime helps clear out the pores and refreshes you. If you can stand the smell – try some egg white, and your skin would absolutely shine. Try out these tips, and you wouldn’t invest in those expensive creams.

Now, my mother always says that skincare is never limited only to the face. You should always take care of your neck area, hands, and feet. When we do our household chores, we keep wetting our hands. We also come in contact with many harsh cleaning chemicals. So it is a must to moisturize our hands. Coconut oil or olive oil works as good moisturizers. Or you can go with any simple readymade brand too.

Most Indian women also tend to neglect their feet, especially since they wear long clothing. However, somebody has also said that a person’s character can be judged by their feet. So never neglect them either. A very complicated regimen isn’t at all required. All you need to do is keep them moisturized so that they stay supple and soft, and you age gracefully. Proper moisturization always keeps those wrinkles at bay.

Hair – Hair is another very important part for us women. It is almost like an important piece of jewelry. Whatever kind of hairstyle you have – long or short; hair can look good only if it is healthy. During my younger days, mom used to take care, and thus, I had nice, black, lush, and thick hair. That is the one ritual that I do not skimp on. Mom always gave a lot of importance to oiling. Most Indian women are used to applying hair oil on a daily basis. But they do it blindly without knowing the need for it. Actually, straight hair doesn’t even require oiling on a daily basis. If you have frizzy hair, you can oil it now and then; just to get the strays in place. But what is extremely important is to oil your hair and scalp before a head bath. All moms love to massage the oil into their kid’s hair. Heat the oil lightly and massage it into your scalp and hair. If you do not have sinus or migraine problems, you can leave it overnight or leave it for an hour or so before you bathe. Another tip my mom gave me was to towel dry your hair, apply just a few drops of oil and finger it into your hair. That works as a good moisturizer and keeps your hair tangle-free.

Now, when it comes to the kind of oil, my mother makes a mixture of coconut, almond, castor, and olive oil. Along with this, she boils fenugreek seeds, hibiscus flowers, neem leaves, lemon leaves, henna leaves, and curry leaves. But you can also use plain coconut oil or olive oil whatever suits your fancy.

My mom is also always very strict about sleeping habits. If you have long hair, never sleep with your hair left open. It is always best to tie it up into a plait or a loose ponytail.

The biggest tip that my mother always keeps giving me even now is “Smile.” It is the best way to keep wrinkles away. If you smile, you can get through anything and continue to be young always.