1. Sleeping with a Rollers in Your Hair
In the 1950s, it was common for women to sleep with rollers in their hair to wake up with perfectly styled locks. Beauty magazines at the time claimed this was a must-do for voluminous curls that would last all day. But the reality? It sounds like a recipe for a restless night! Imagine lying down with hard rollers digging into your scalp, hoping for a flawless look by morning. Today, we opt for curling irons or even heatless curls that give us results without the discomfort.
Of course, some still swear by the magic of roller sets, but it’s hard to ignore how silly it must have seemed to be tethered to your rollers for hours while trying to sleep. Now, we’ve come a long way with simpler, more comfortable hair tools that do the job in less time.
2. Dabbing Cold Cream on Your Lips for Softness
Cold cream was a staple in every 1950s beauty routine. It was used for makeup removal, moisturizing, and even claimed to make your lips softer if you dabbed it on them. While it may have worked in terms of hydration, the idea of smearing thick, greasy cold cream on your lips as a beauty secret feels a bit much today. We now have lip balms and oils designed specifically for lips, offering more precise hydration without leaving behind a greasy residue.
Imagine smacking your lips and having them feel like a thin layer of wax instead of a smooth, supple pout. We’ve definitely moved past this one in favor of lightweight formulas that actually help with chapped lips, not just hydrate them temporarily.
3. Using Olive Oil as a Makeup Remover
Back in the ’50s, olive oil was considered a miracle ingredient, often used for everything from skincare to hair treatments. It was even recommended as a makeup remover. While olive oil does have moisturizing properties, using it to wipe off makeup sounds like a mess waiting to happen. The heavy texture would leave skin greasy and makeup everywhere.
Today, makeup removers are designed to lift away makeup efficiently and cleanly without the need for such an oily substance. We’ve perfected formulas that leave skin fresh, clean, and ready for the next steps in our beauty routine.
4. Putting Lemon Juice on Your Skin to Brighten It
Lemon juice was once touted as a natural way to brighten the complexion, with the idea that its acidity would exfoliate and lighten skin. While lemon juice does have some mild exfoliating properties, the idea of slathering it on your face sounds like a recipe for irritation in today’s skincare world. The acidity can be harsh on the skin, especially for sensitive areas like the face, and may even cause burns if exposed to the sun.
We now rely on well-formulated serums and creams with gentle exfoliators like AHAs and BHAs that brighten skin safely, without causing damage or discomfort. The lemon juice trend seems like an old beauty myth that’s better left in the past.
5. Applying Toothpaste to Pimples
This one might sound familiar to anyone who’s tried some “old-school” acne remedies. In the ’50s, it was common to apply toothpaste directly to pimples in an attempt to dry them out. While it may have worked to dry out the blemish temporarily, it also often caused irritation and redness due to the ingredients in toothpaste.
Today, acne treatment has come a long way, with spot treatments, serums, and creams designed to target pimples without causing extra inflammation. The toothpaste trend is one beauty tip that definitely needs to be left behind.
6. Scrubbing Your Face with Baking Soda
Baking soda was an all-purpose product in the ’50s, and many believed it was an excellent exfoliant for the face. The fine texture might feel like it’s sloughing off dead skin cells, but baking soda is actually too abrasive for delicate facial skin. It can strip the skin’s natural moisture and leave it irritated.
Now, we have gentle exfoliants and scrubs made specifically for the face, many of which use naturally derived ingredients that smooth the skin without causing harm. Baking soda might still be a great cleaner, but it’s best to leave it out of your skincare routine.
7. Toning with Witch Hazel Every Day
Witch hazel was a popular skincare ingredient in the ’50s, especially for toning the skin. It was said to tighten pores and reduce inflammation. While witch hazel is still used today in some products, the idea of using it as an everyday toner is a little outdated. The alcohol content in most witch hazel formulas can dry out the skin, especially for those with sensitive skin types.
Modern toners are much more hydrating and targeted to specific skin concerns, from brightening to soothing. There are gentler, more effective options now that don’t leave your skin feeling parched or irritated.
8. Swishing Vodka in Your Hair for Shine
In the ’50s, people believed that swishing a little vodka in your hair would leave it shiny and healthy. The idea was that the alcohol would remove buildup and leave hair looking polished. In practice, though, vodka can dry out your hair and leave it brittle.
These days, we have nourishing hair oils, serums, and conditioning treatments that add shine without drying out or damaging the hair. The vodka treatment is one beauty hack best forgotten.
9. Using Baby Powder as a Dry Shampoo
Baby powder was often used as a quick fix for greasy hair in the ’50s, applied directly to the roots to absorb excess oil. While it may have worked in a pinch, the powder left behind a noticeable white residue, especially on darker hair.
Dry shampoo has evolved since then into a much more effective product. Today’s formulas come in a range of colors to suit different hair types and give a fresh, non-chalky finish without the mess.
10. Sleeping in Face Masks
Before the days of modern night creams and masks, women in the ’50s would apply thick face masks before bed, hoping they’d wake up with soft, glowing skin. The masks were often heavy and could clog pores overnight, leaving skin more prone to breakouts.
Now, we have lighter, more breathable formulas designed specifically for overnight use. Today’s night masks hydrate, repair, and rejuvenate without the fear of waking up to clogged pores.
11. Dousing Your Hair in Oil for Shine
In the ’50s, women would often apply thick oils to their hair to achieve that lustrous shine. While it may have worked for some, the oil could weigh hair down and make it look greasy rather than shiny.
Nowadays, lightweight hair serums and shine sprays give that sleek, shiny look without the heaviness of oils. We’ve learned that less is more when it comes to achieving that perfect glossy finish.
12. Using Petroleum Jelly as a Face Moisturizer
Petroleum jelly was a go-to product for moisturizing skin back in the day. People would slather it on their faces at night to lock in moisture. While petroleum jelly does create a barrier, it can also clog pores and cause breakouts, especially for people with oily or acne-prone skin.
These days, we have a variety of lightweight moisturizers that hydrate the skin without suffocating it. Petroleum jelly is best left for more practical uses, like treating chapped lips, rather than as an everyday skincare staple.
13. Bleaching Your Skin with Hydrogen Peroxide
In the ’50s, hydrogen peroxide was sometimes used in beauty routines to lighten skin or hair. Though it’s known for its disinfecting properties, using hydrogen peroxide on your skin can cause irritation and dryness. The idea of trying to bleach your skin with a chemical that can burn it sounds extremely risky in today’s skincare world.
Modern skincare has come up with safer, more effective ways to brighten skin, like vitamin C serums and gentle exfoliants. The hydrogen peroxide trend is one beauty practice that no one should try at home.