The beauty industry has revolutionized the world in recent years, and it has seen it all. From wonky eyebrows to overlining your lips, you can take your pick and you’ll find someone who has done and tried it. Instead of focusing on what’s next, what’s new, it seems that people are now becoming interested in what it has been.

Classic beauty can’t be just quickly looked over anymore, people are talking, they want the simple, “easy” beauty that reminds them of Marilyn Monroe, Coco Chanel, Sophia Loren, and others. They want the vintage, the classic!

Why wouldn’t you? Those women knew how to look amazing and with fewer tools and products than we have today. If they could do it, then so can we.

What classic beauty tips can you still use today? Which ones still work? Read below to find out.

Bright red lips

Bright red lips are a trend that has never left the beauty industry but not many dare to try it. By using a lip liner first, you’ll have an easier time when applying your choice of red lipstick.

And a secret that Marilyn Monroe’s makeup artist was known for was by adding different layers of red and lipsticks to Monroe’s lips. She would even coat them with lip-gloss too! This trick gives you shape and dimension and you won’t feel as nervous applying that first layer.

Perfume where?

Would you believe it if I told you you’re spraying perfume in all the wrong areas? Well, I guess there’s no right or wrong, per se, but try spraying perfume onto your hairbrush and then brush your hair. 

Besides making your hair smell absolutely amazing, when walking or moving, your hair moves too – if you don’t have a ton of hairspray, ok – and everyone around you will also smell your perfume. I think it’s genius and it truly works!

Sugar and salt are your best friends… 

I’m sure you didn’t expect to hear this in your lifetime, like, ever! But it’s a fact, sugar and salt are your best friends, not when consumed, but to your skin. Use them to exfoliate your face and body for a natural solution that is most likely in your pantry. 

Plus, they’re so cheap these days that you won’t even remember your overpriced scrub. Gently rub the salt onto your skin when in the shower, you’ll feel like you just left a spa!

Older than the hills… whitening your teeth with baking soda

Now, I don’t recommend doing this every single day, nor your dentist will tell you it’s a great idea. You need to be careful of how often you use baking soda. But it’s a trick that has been around for a long time, and it shows great results. Just mix some with water and brush your teeth with it.

Olive oil and the Mediterranean beauty secrets

Another old-time beauty product is olive oil. You can use it simply to condition your hair or even to add it to your skin by gently massaging it. The Mediterraneans have used it for years and years and even beauty Sophia Loren revealed it was an essential part of her beauty routine.

By coating the ends of your hair with olive oil, you’re protecting them from the heat and everyday damage. What’s great about this is that you can leave it in, no need for rinsing it after the shower.

Talcum powder is not only for babies’ bums? 

No, it is not! A great trick my grandma taught me was to use talcum powder on my hair roots when they were oily. My hair tends to get oily really quickly and my answer was always to wash it, which made it difficult to break the cycle.

Talcum powder was among us before any dry shampoo, and it works better than many I’ve tried! Now, I’m a brunette, and if you also have darker hair, don’t go all out and add a ton at first. Baby steps. (No pun intended.) 

Add a very thin layer, brush it off and use a hairdryer to finish it off. I’ve been doing this since middle school, and I promise you it’s the best classic beauty tip I own.

Contour or not to contour…

If you’re not Mario, or just don’t have the patience to be blending your cheeks for 20 minutes, you do not have to contour. Well, you can, but by using this old, classic beauty trick, adopted by Grace Kelly herself, and use two shades of blush.

Choose a lighter shade for your cheekbones and a darker one for just below. It might even look a lot more natural because it’s difficult to get your contour shade right at first.

Classic beauty tricks are amazing because most of them rely on simple, everyday products that you’ll find in your pantry or at any supermarket. They are much cheaper too if compared to products that promise the same similar results.