As teenagers, my sisters and I all put toothpaste on our teenage spots to get rid of them and Vaseline on our eye lashes to make them grow thick and lush. I also remember my aunt telling me that if I got sunburn, to squeeze lemon juice over the burn to soothe the skin. After a particularly long, hot afternoon playing tennis in a sleeveless top and no suncream, my shoulders got roasted so I squeezed lemon juice onto the skin, which felt like scalding water.

Grandma also told us if we picked up a toad, our hands would be covered in warts. I was always terrified to even get near a toad, let alone pick one up, so never tried this out. I’m not sure if any of the above were actually true or simply just old wives’ tales?

I have had nearly 30 years in the beauty business trying and testing tips and treatments. I have picked up some great ones along the way, so I thought it would be fun to share my “old wives’ tales” and tips with you…

  • 1 Never go to bed in your makeup: be kind to your skin; and your bed linen. Take time to cleanse, tone and moisturise your skin before going to bed. There is nothing nicer than the feel of a freshly cleaned face. Apply a nourishing night cream last and if you’re over 30, an eye cream as well. Finish off with a big blob of hand cream. Have your skincare ready and next to the sink by your toothbrush so there is no excuse. Dermalogica have put together a great normal/dry skin kit €41 from www.dermalogica.ie, while the Cowshed skincare starter kit €27 from Marks & Spencer is also perfect for your nighttime skin regime.
  • 2 Wearing foundation every day is bad for your skin: this is only true if you don’t remove your makeup before bed. It’s not because of your actual foundation, but because your face is dirty after a day out and about, being exposed to environmental toxins. If you are a makeup addict like me, then wearing a foundation will actually protect your skin and work as a filter from UV rays. Maybelline New York Fit Me! foundation matte and pore minimizer comes in 12 different shades and is available from stockists including www.carapharmacy.ie at €9.20.
  • 3 Never pick your nail polish off with your teeth or leave nail varnish on for months at a time: this is true as it will weaken the nail bed and nail. Use a nail polish remover and buff over the nails with a file. This will whiten them up. Don’t leave gel or acrylic nails on for more than a few weeks because the air cannot get through to your own nail and extended use of faux nails will make your own very weak and flaky. Olive oil is great to moisturise really dry, cracked nails.
  • 4 If you suffer from dry hair, let it dry naturally once a week and use leave-in conditioner: this is true, especially if you use a lot of colour/tongs/straighteners in your hair. The longer you can leave conditioner in, the better for the hair. My daughters have very long, thick hair so once a week they shampoo their hair, towel dry it and apply a thick, rich conditioner. Carefully comb the conditioner through to the roots and then loosely plait the hair and leave the conditioner in all night, wash out well the next morning and the hair will be silky smooth. Herbal Essences Hello Hydration moisturising conditioner is a creamy formula to bring dry, limp hair back to life and can be purchased from most supermarkets for around a fiver.
  • 5 If you go on a summer holiday, pop your lipsticks in the fridge door: lippy melts very easily in hot weather, so the cool of the fridge will save this from happening. Also leave your aftersun in the fridge – after a day in the heat, a cooling aftersun is such a treat on the skin. I love the Garnier Ambre Solaire aftersun lotion from stockists including www.boots.ie for €9.
  • 6 Garlic has been used for thousands of years to treat illness and diseases: freshly grated garlic works wonders if you have any kind of cold or cough. I grate garlic over a green salad or mix it with onions and tomatoes/peppers with a little salt and pepper. Fresh garlic will build up your immune system. And freshly grated garlic in a cup of hot water and lemon juice with local honey to taste works wonders on a chesty cough. Crushed garlic made in a paste helps banish mosquito bites, spots and cold sores. Lavender essence is also great for insect bites and stings.
  • 7 Finally, too much sugar can cause your skin to break out into spots and black heads: This is true, but if you eat small amounts of dark chocolate, it contains antioxidants, which actually help the skin. This is one busted myth you can actually be happy about!
  • Do you have any old wives’ tales you would like to share? Email me at dollybuckley1@gmail.com

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