Age-old beauty rituals and routines often hold a nostalgic charm. But let’s be honest, some beauty habits from the boomer generation can make millennials and gen-zers downright shudder.

Why? Because times have changed, and so have our beauty standards, as well as our understanding of what is good for our skin and hair.

In this article, I’m going to take you through 7 outdated beauty rituals that boomers still swear by, which are sure to make younger people cringe.

Don’t worry, we’re not about to start a generational war over moisturizers and hairspray. We’re just here to share some amusingly old-school beauty practices – who knows, you might even find some of them endearing!

So, buckle up for a trip down the beauty memory lane. It’s going to be an amusing ride!

1) Cold cream cleansers

Remember seeing your grandma slathering that thick, white cream on her face every night? That’s cold cream, a beauty staple for many boomers.

Cold cream is a type of emulsion that was used as an all-in-one makeup remover, cleanser, and moisturizer. It’s been around since the ancient Egyptian times and was a favorite among Hollywood starlets in the 20th century.

While it’s true that cold cream has its benefits – it can be soothing and hydrating – modern skin science has come a long way since then. These days, we know about the importance of using products that are pH-balanced and non-comedogenic, which is something cold creams typically aren’t.

But boomers still swear by it, even though it can leave a greasy residue and potentially clog pores. To younger generations who have grown up with micellar water and double cleansing, this can seem downright horrifying.

So why do boomers stick to it? Maybe it’s nostalgia, or maybe they simply believe in “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. Either way, it’s one beauty ritual that can make younger people cringe.

2) Blue eyeshadow and bright blush

Okay, let me share a personal story here. I remember vividly when I first delved into my mom’s makeup drawer. The one thing that stood out was her palette of bright blue eyeshadow and the hot pink blush.

Back in the day, my mom, like many boomers, would rock a bold blue eyeshadow and vibrant blush. It was the epitome of 80s glam and a real fashion statement.

Fast forward to today, and it’s safe to say makeup trends have evolved. Subtle, natural looks are in, and excessive blush or bright blue eyeshadow can seem almost clownish to younger generations.

Yet, my dear mom still holds onto these bold colors with a fierce loyalty. To her, they are symbols of a vibrant and youthful spirit. But for me and my friends? Let’s just say we’ve had a good chuckle or two over it.

This is not to say that we can’t appreciate the nostalgia or even the boldness of these choices. It’s just that times have changed, and these beauty rituals don’t quite fit anymore – at least not in our everyday makeup routine.

3) Sleeping on silk pillowcases for beauty sleep

Silk pillowcases have been a beauty secret of the boomer generation for ages. The reason? They were believed to prevent wrinkles and keep hair smooth.

The idea is that the smooth surface of silk causes less friction than a typical cotton pillowcase, meaning it’s gentler on both skin and hair. This is why you might remember your grandma insisting on her silk pillowcase and even carrying it with her during overnight trips.

While this might seem a bit over the top to younger generations who sleep on whatever pillowcase happens to come with their bedding set, there might be some truth to this old-school beauty ritual.

Studies have shown that friction from tossing and turning can cause hair breakage and contribute to wrinkle formation. So, while it might make us cringe a bit, our grandmas were onto something with their silk pillowcases.

Just goes to show, sometimes old-school beauty rituals have their roots in truth.

4) Hairspray galore

If there’s one thing synonymous with the boomer generation and beauty, it’s hairspray. Lots of it. We’re talking about the kind of hairspray usage that left hair immovable and as stiff as a board.

Back in the day, voluminous, sky-high hairstyles were all the rage. And the best way to maintain those gravity-defying ‘dos? Dousing them in a generous layer of hairspray, of course.

For boomers, a can of hairspray was an essential beauty tool. However, to younger generations who prefer natural, tousled waves and softer styles, the idea of so much product can be a little cringe-inducing.

Plus, we now know that excessive hairspray use can lead to product build-up and damage hair over time. So while it may have been all the rage back then, this is one beauty ritual we’re not sorry to see go out of style.

5) Tanning oil instead of sunscreen

I’ll never forget the summer vacations of my childhood when my family would pack up and head to the beach. My mom, a true boomer in every sense, would pull out her secret weapon for that perfect sun-kissed look – tanning oil.

Yes, you read that right. Tanning oil, not sunscreen. The goal was to intensify the sun’s effects, not block them. And she wasn’t alone in this; many boomers would bask in the sun, slathered in tanning oil for that deep tan.

Nowadays, the idea of using tanning oil instead of sunscreen is enough to make any millennial or gen-z shudder. We’ve grown up with constant reminders of the harmful effects of UV rays and the importance of sun protection.

This shift in attitude towards sun exposure is a clear sign of how beauty standards have evolved over time. While a deep tan was once the epitome of beauty, we’re now more focused on maintaining healthy, protected skin.

6) Wearing girdles

Girdles, those tight-fitting undergarments designed to shape and slim the waist and hips, were a must-have in many boomer wardrobes. They were the secret weapon behind the coveted hourglass figure of the mid-20th century.

However, to younger generations, the idea of squeezing into a girdle every day sounds more like torture than beauty. We’ve traded in the girdle for more comfortable shapewear, or better yet, embracing our natural bodies.

Moreover, health experts now warn against the regular use of such constricting garments as they can lead to issues like reduced blood flow and breathing problems.

So while boomers might still swear by their trusty girdles for that perfect silhouette, younger generations are more likely to cringe at the thought.

7) Using toothpaste to clear up pimples

Probably one of the most cringe-worthy beauty rituals from the boomer generation is the use of toothpaste as a spot treatment for pimples. This home remedy was seen as a quick fix for sudden breakouts.

The theory behind this practice is that toothpaste dries out the skin and reduces redness and swelling.

However, dermatologists today warn against this practice. Toothpaste contains ingredients like baking soda, alcohol, and hydrogen peroxide, which can irritate and harm your skin.

Younger generations, with more access to information and dermatologist-approved skincare treatments, would gasp at the idea of dabbing toothpaste on a pimple. So it’s safe to say that this is a beauty ritual that’s best left in the past.

Embracing the beauty evolution

There’s a certain charm in looking back at these outdated beauty rituals that boomers swear by. It’s like flipping through an old, slightly faded photo album – each page filled with quirky practices that now make us cringe.

But as much as we may giggle or shudder at these rituals, they serve as a reminder of how far we’ve come in our understanding of beauty and self-care. 

This evolution is more than just changing trends. It’s about progress in our understanding of health, science, and embracing individuality over fitting into a mold.

Yet, it’s also a nod to our boomer generation who navigated beauty in the best way they knew how. Their beauty rituals, while cringeworthy now, were their truth then. And who knows? Years down the line, our sheet masks and jade rollers might become the cold creams of the future.

Here’s to celebrating the old, embracing the new, and always finding the fun in our ever-evolving beauty journey. Because at the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about – change, growth, and a good dash of laughter along the way.