Creams and other cosmetics that our mothers used (and that we should try)

It is very likely that in our first forays into the world of creams, cosmetics and beauty in general the figure of our mother was more than present. Either by observation or by express recommendation, our mothers in terms of beauty (and in many other things) are always a reference to take into account. If to the maternal authority in these fights we add the peace of mind that comes from using mythical beauty products of a lifetime that resist the passage of time, even improving their podium among the best, we may be facing the best selection of cosmetics of 2021. At last And after all, if our mothers used them and years later they are still authentic best-sellers, the guarantee of success seems assured. Here is a selection of those creams and other cosmetics that we saw in our mother's bathroom and that will most likely solve more than one beauty dilemma for us.

The best serum (according to the internet too)

The iconic Clarins Double Serum is not only the serum that many of our mothers would almost blindly recommend -one unit is sold every 5 seconds in the world- . It is also the best anti-aging serum -suitable for all skin types-, according to the honest opinion of the internet. It is enough to google his name to come across more than 17,000 opinions on Google among which it is frankly difficult to find a 'but'. Most praise the benefits of this serum, famous for improving the appearance of the skin and closing the pore. Its great goodness is that it stimulates 5 basic functions of the skin (hydration, nutrition, oxygenation, regeneration and protection) and that it is formulated with natural active ingredients and a texture halfway between oil and gel that everyone likes. It has been on the market for more than 35 years and is Clarins' best-selling product. And yes, our mothers used it. There must be a reason.

BUY: Double Serum, by Clarins (50 ml/€118)

The anti-cellulite oil used by Queen Letizia

We know for certain that this is the anti-cellulite oil with birch oil that those 55-65-year-old mothers who used more than 20 years ago give their blessing without stopping another great classic: Thiomucase. It has been on the market since 2004 and since then it has made its formula, which has remained intact ever since, the great favorite of many of our mothers. In fact, it is the best-selling anti-cellulite on the pharmacy channel in our country and they say it is Queen Letizia's favorite oil. It smells great, it's easy to use -it doesn't leave a greasy effect- and it has reducing, anti-cellulite and moisturizing qualities. Google his name and you'll see.

BUY: Anti-cellulite with birch oil, from Weleda (€22.90).

The flash vials they used before a wedding

I'm sure the first time you heard the concept 'flash blister' was from your mother just before a wedding. Although there are currently many versions of this type of product -those with proteoglycans win by a landslide-, the first in flash version were the mythical Germinal Immediate Action. An icon of the 80s that came from France -where they were known as rayon du soleil (ray of sun)- and that became a basic in our mothers' cosmetic bag before a big date. The good face effect was immediate and for them the best makeup primer.

BUY: Germinal Immediate Action (5 vials, €12.31).

A body cream with more than 100 years of history

Who has not grown up watching their mother use the cream from the 'blue can'? In the era of multi-purpose creams, Nivea cream was the first "everything" cream that our mothers used, not only to moisturize the skin of the body and feet, but also to enhance the tan, to remove make-up from the face... They are many mothers and grandmothers who solve any beauty dilemma with this cream. Created in 1911, it has been passed down from generation to generation as an iconic cosmetic that must always be on hand. In fact, there are people who even use it on their hair as a mask (mixed with coconut oil). Among the more than 20,000 reviews that it collects on the net and the multitude of Youtube tutorials that talk about it, there are very unexpected uses.

BUY: Nivea Creme Can (€2.75).

The bronzing powders that last (and last)

Guerlain's Terracotta powders are the first bronzing powders on the market. They were born in the 80s with the vocation of imitating the reflection of the sun on the skin and since its launch they have not stopped amassing followers with a very high level of fidelity. If your mom used them, chances are she won't change them (as much as there are new releases every spring). Also, they can last for years. Ask Gigi Hadid, who told us in her Beauty Secrets that she has been using the same ones since she was in high school. What's more, they were his mother's and they still last.

BUY: Terracotta Powder, by Guerlain (€49).

The hairspray that removes the fear of hairspray

Few beauty products are more associated with our mothers' imagination than hairspray. Some women are terribly afraid of it and answer with a resounding and terrifying 'no' every time they are asked if they want hairspray to set their hairstyle. But the reality is that our mothers and grandmothers were not wrong when they used the mythical Elnett lacquer. This 1950s classic is one of the lightest lacquers around. That is why it is one of the favorites of stylists who use it, not only to fix the hairstyle, but also to eliminate frizz, give hair shine, eliminate static electricity... It is not surprising that, in addition to our mothers, in their entourage of followers are also Kate Middleton and Blake Lively.

SHOP: L'Oréal Paris Elnett Classic Hairspray (€6.99).

The best cream in the world

Our mothers are experts in combining traditional (and very affordable) creams with premium treatments to which they show absolute fidelity. That's why many have been using the same moisturizer for years: Re-Nutriv by Estée Lauder. Estée herself created it in 1956 and managed to turn it into a myth almost from the first moment of its birth. And it is that at a time when facial care creams cost about 10 dollars, this one cost 115 and, even so, it sold out in a few hours. Those who questioned its high price found an enlightening answer. "Why do people spend so much on a Picasso? The fabric under his paint is $2.75, each bottle of paint he used would cost like $1.75... You're paying for creativity. This is the best cream in the world." After all, of its 26 ingredients, 20 had never been used in cosmetics, and its results were not like those of other creams either.

BUY: Re-Nutriv by Estée Lauder (€200).

The blush they always carried in their handbag

Our mothers bought many beauty products in the legendary neighborhood drugstores, these traditional stores where cleaning products coexisted in perfect harmony with great hair classics and the makeup. And precisely there they bought one of the most mythical and traditional blushes on the market: Fard Joues de Bourjois, a mini-compact that they always carried in their bag and which, judging by the almost 3,000 reviews it has on Amazon, is another one of those products. that pass from generation to generation. We refer to the 150 years of history that it has.

BUY: Fard Joues de Bourjois blush (€8.50).

The perfume they used every summer

There are a few classic perfumes that our mothers used, but in summer the vast majority used to opt for this great Lancôme classic. After all, as many of the reviews on the net say, it is fresh, citric -it has notes of lemon, honeysuckle and sandalwood-, it is revitalizing, suitable for any age and even for sharing with the whole family. Our mothers knew it and many even took advantage of their plane trips to buy it in the mythical Duty Free stores at the airport. Because the thing is about memories and classics that never die.

BUY: Ô by Lancôme (75ml/€49.70).

The French cream they bought at their beauty center

It was a classic among our mothers: buying face creams at the beauty center. And among all her favourites, there was one by Maria Galland who used to win the game. It was Parisian (in France it had a few decades of history) and it was the regenerating night treatment with vitamin A and B6 that was very popular in the neighboring country and that arrived in Spain with bread under its arm. It is one of the favorite creams of facialists and that is always an added value.

BUY: 5 Crémé Régénératrice by María Galland (€61).