Despite thinking we had the world figured out when we were teenagers, as we got older, we realized our parents actually knew a thing or two.  And that goes for beauty advice in addition to life lessons (most of the time, anyway).  Here, we present seven at-home beauty remedies passed down from Mom that actually work.  Who would’ve thought?  Mama knew what she was talking about!

1.  Rinse your hair with vinegar for a clarifying effect.

Fashion, beauty and lifestyle editor and expert Jené Luciani says that the acidity in certain vinegars is actually close to that of natural hair, making it a good cleansing and conditioning agent (which has also been known to make hair shinier).  She explains, “If you can get past the weird smell, using this rinse once in a while can help balance the pH of hair and reduce product buildup. You can also add some essential herbs like lavender to boost the rinse’s effects and make it smell nice too!”

2.  Soak your hair with lemon juice and sit in the sun to get highlights.

Okay, we admit this one has a caveat.  While squirting on lemon juice and basking in the sun for hours does wonders on locks that are already blonde to begin with, it has mixed results for highlighting brunettes (you’ll probably get orange strands).  Not to mention, after the days of endless summer vacation are long gone, who has the time to sit in the sun for hours on end?  For best results, you might want to ante up the cash for a real highlighting treatment.

3.  Use witch hazel as a facial toner.

Beauty expert and author Ungenita Prevost says witch hazel is one of her favorite alternatives to high priced toners. “It won’t dry out your skin; it’s gentle and will remove excess dirt from your skin with one clean, easy sweep.”  For a more concentrated option that combines the healing properties of witch hazel extracts with other natural ingredients, we absolutely swear by Dr.Hauschka Facial Toner.

4.  Condition your hair with mayonnaise.

Sr. Director of Marketing and Product Development at Iconic Labs Casi Morris says this creamy condiment is the perfect overnight hair treatment.  Simply coat your hair using a marinating brush and cover with plastic wrap to help lock in moisture (and avoid ruining your pillowcase).  Let the oils and emollients do their magic during your dreams of George Clooney…er, your significant other…and you’ll wake up with smooth luscious locks (after washing).

5.  Soak your nails in lemon juice to remove stains.

This is a great spring ritual, according to Emily Kumler, president of Prep Cosmetics.  She says to spend a day or two with naked toes (no shoes, and more importantly, no polish).  Squirt a few drops of lemon on your toes and let the nail “breathe” in fresh air. Within a day or two, any yellow color should clear up.

As a bonus, we recommend gently rubbing the inside of a leftover lemon rind to smooth away rough patches on elbows.

6.  Put toothpaste on a pimple to dry it out.

For a spot-treatment on breakouts, this overnight remedy has reduced inflammation for countless acne-sufferers across generations. But beware – according to Kumler, toothpaste can burn healthy skin, so you shouldn’t get zap-happy and apply all over your face.  She cautions, “It’s a treatment, not a prevention!”

7.  Remove under-eye bags with Preparation H, cucumbers and tea bags.

Dr. Jeannette Graf, dermatologist and Assistant Professor of Dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, says Preparation H diminishes puffy eyes due to baso constrictive properties, but warns it can be drying and irritating.  However, she says applying cool cucumber slices has both a soothing and calming effect.  Tea bags also do the trick – chamomile contains the soothing ingredient bisabolol, green tea contains catechins and black tea contains tannins (the latter two also contain caffeine to constrict blood vessels).

Sara Damelio, esthetician at The Still Point in Takoma Park, MD, says for best results you must brew them before you use them – after the bags cool, recline and place over your eyes for 10-15 minutes. Voila! Puffless peepers.

Photo Credit:  All Images Courtesy of Stock.Xchng