14 Beauty Products Our Southern Grandmothers Swear By
Beauty products in the South have to be tough. They must stand up to the sweltering heat, sticky humidity, surprise thunderstorms, and accidental sunburns.
And yet, Southern women still look always beautiful – none more so than our Southern grandmothers. My grandmother has skin smoother than all of her grandchildren. Every time we visit her home, we wonder: How does she do it?
To answer this burning beauty question, we've rounded up a few of our Southern grandmothers' tried-and-true beauty secrets.
1. Smith's Rosebud Salve
For over 100 yeras, our Southern grandmothers have been using this Maryland-made cream to treat everything from chapped lips to minor burns to diaper rash. BUY IT: $6.73, amazon.com
2. Aveeno Oatmeal Bath Soak
This soothing bath treatment has been sold since 1945, and was actually Aveeno's first consumer product. Used to relieve dry skin, eczema, and poison ivy, it's a must-have in every woman's medicine cabinet. BUY IT: $6.97, amazon.com
3. Velcro Rollers
In the South, we've always done big hair. Achieve timeless volume without the damaging heat by using rollers overnight, like Conair Brush Self-Grip Rollers. BUY IT: $8.74, amazon.com
4. L'Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Extra Strong Hold Volume Hairspray
There's nothing new about Southern humidity. L'Oréal's legendary hairspray withstands even the steamiest Southern summer afternoons. BUY IT: $12.99, amazon.com
5. Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Fire & Ice
A Southern grandmother never leaves home without "putting on her lips." This timeless red lipstick is reminiscent of Hollywood glamour and Scarlett O'Hara. BUY IT: $4.78, amazon.com
6. Johnson's Baby Oil Original
Regardless of whether there are baby grandchildren dropping by, every Southern grandmother has baby oil in her medicine cabinet. Why? It's the best budget-friendly makeup remover, and made by a company that's been operating since 1886. Just be careful not to get this in your eyes! BUY IT: $1.97, amazon.com
7. Johnson's Baby Powder
The second part of a dynamic duo, Baby Powder tackles one of our major struggles: sweat. Use a sprinkle as dry shampoo, or as a shine-removing powder. A little goes a long way. BUY IT: $5.59, amazon.com
8. Noxema Classic Clean
This tingling cream cleanser with moisturizing soy is responsible for some of the smoothest skin we've ever seen. Bonus: This creamy miracle worker was invented in the South by Dr. Francis J. Townsend in Ocean City, Maryland. BUY IT: $3.99, bedbathandbeyond.com
9. Avon's Skin So Soft Original Shower Gel
This list wouldn't be complete without an Avon pick. The brand's original Skin So Soft line features gentle and moisturizing jojoba oil. Here's a secret: Grandmother swears it also fends off mosquitos. BUY IT: $8, avon.com
10. Coty Airspun Powder
This loose finishing powder has been around since 1925 because it really works. Coty Airspun Powder is an affordable, natural loose finishing powder that prevents shine. BUY IT: $5.97, amazon.com
11. Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear Nail Polish in Pucker Up
In the South, red never goes out of style. Neither do well-manicured fingernails. Sally Hansen's Hard as Nails provides both. BUY IT: $5.98, amazon.com
12. Goody Bobby Pins
To beat the Southern heat in the days before air conditioning, Southern girls had to pin up their hair. Chances are, you will find loose pins in the bottom of most Southern purses. BUY IT: $3.21, amazon.com
13. Chanel No. 5
We know that Chanel is considered one of the most iconic perfumes across the entire nation, but we especially love it down South because of its jasmine and rose base. Grandmother suggests never leaving home without a spritz. BUY IT: $100.00, chanel.com
14. Clinique Even Better Makeup Broad Spectrum SPF 15
For a classic look, apply a light layer of foundation with sunscreen. Grandmother suggests wearing a slightly lighter shade at night to illuminate your face in dim lighting. BUY IT: $27.00, sephora.com
