Never skip sunscreen
My roots are Irish and Scottish, which means like my mom, we don't really tan; we just freckle... and suffer sun damage if we aren't careful. She's had some scary bouts with pre-cancerous spots on her chest, so she is very diligent about applying at least an SPF 30 several times a day. No matter the season — or no matter where a travel writing assignment takes me — my mom always nags me to lather up. My daily moisturizer has a built in SPF, and whenever I'm about to be face-to-face with those powerful sun rays, I agree that yep, mother knows best.
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Wash your face twice a day
Because I'm originally from North Carolina, there are certain Southern mentalities that I've never let go of, even though I've lived in New York and traveled all around the world for months at a time. One of those is the idea of "putting your face on" before doing anything. Even if I'm working from home or just running out to grab a coffee or go grocery shopping, I put on a touch of makeup and lotion, just to feel pretty and refreshed. Because I'm used to applying a little somethin'-somethin' to my cheeks and eyes, I've developed a solid habit of washing my face — not only in the evening, but in the morning, too. My mom says this practice is one that will ensure clean, healthy pores, and always suggests taking extra time to ensure every last bit of makeup is off before you tuck yourself in. Even if I have too many glasses of wine, I still stumble to the sink and get the job done.
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Don't be afraid of cosmetic procedures
Though my mom is in her late 50s, she doesn't look it — and she gives much of the credit to laser treatments and tiny investments in cosmetic procedures. She swears by infrared red light technology to minimize the appearance of acne scars and wrinkles, especially when used over lengthy periods of time. She also has said yes to Botox, but only in small doses — and has even encouraged me to do the same. When used sparingly and early, she says the effects can work over a lifetime, making it less necessary to load up later in life. As she puts it, if there's something on your face that you're uncomfortable with or causes you confidence issues, why not do what you can to fix it?
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Stay hydrated... and consider your diet
This one is a biggie — and one my mom says is often discounted by most people. What we put into our bodies makes a major difference on how our skin appears and looks. Hydration is essential to stay youthful and healthy, as well as keeping our skin clear. When I've struggled with acne, my mom is the first to point a finger to my diet and encourage me to be more mindful and pay attention to what causes flare-ups. With her help, I've identified dairy and citrus fruits as culprits and cut them out of my diet completely. Thanks mama!
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