Before serums and skincare trends, there was mum, the OG self-care icon. Our editors spill the tips and lessons they inherited.
If there’s one thing we can agree on, our mothers were that girl long before self-care became a buzzword. Before the TikTok tutorials and the billion-naira skincare industry, our mums were already spritzing, slathering, and sipping their way to fabulous.
This Mother’s Day, we’re getting a little nostalgic—and maybe a bit weepy—as we reflect on the routines, rituals, and quiet philosophies our mothers passed on. Sometimes, the best beauty secrets aren’t found in a fancy jar but in the soft, familiar ways our mothers cared for themselves—and taught us to do the same. Here are the self-care lessons and tips we got from our mothers:
The original hair-fluencer
For Tobi Afolabi, our Content Editor, her idea of self-care started with the simple elegance of her mum’s hair. “She had the longest, most lustrous hair,” she says, “and never added attachments. It was always well-plaited and smelled amazing from all the oils and pomades she used.”
The biggest lesson she took? Less is more. Her mum’s conservative but intentional approach to beauty—natural ingredients, minimal fuss—left a lasting impression. “She didn’t wear makeup or jewellery, and as a kid, I didn’t understand it,” Tobi recalls. “But I learnt that defining beauty on your own terms is the real flex.”
The perfume that said, “Mummy’s home”
If you ever hugged Inem’s mum, chances are you walked away smelling like a walking perfume ad—in the best way. “She always had loads of perfume bottles. Her scent literally let me know she was home before I saw her,” Inem shares.
But more than her fragrance flair, Inem remembers her mum’s love for skincare. From cleansers to turmeric teas, she was always glowing—inside and out. “She never went to bed without washing her face, no matter how tired,” Inem says. That discipline rubbed off. These days, Inem might skip the heels and the nails, but you’ll always catch her smelling good and glowing even without make-up.
Read also: The beautiful, complicated ways we mirror our mothers
Black, shine, and all things fine
Wumi Tuase-Fosudo, our Fashion and Beauty Editor, grew up with a mother who embraced beauty with a healthy dose of self-love. “My mum always told me I was the most beautiful girl in the world—because I look like her,” she laughs. But the affirmations weren’t just sweet; they were also empowering.
Growing up as a dark-skinned girl, that kind of love was the ultimate glow-up. “Before ‘glow’ was even a thing, my mum was saying ‘Black and shine’ while handing me a tub of shea butter.”
Self-care, for Wumi’s mum, also meant rest. “She’d buy wine, watch her shows, and just relax. I do that now too—retail therapy included!” And though Wumi skips the salon nails (too fussy), she’ll throw on stick-ons for a big event—just in case mum is watching with that silent side-eye.
Scent memories and simple truths
For Esther Akinbola, our copy editor, the scent of her mum’s lotion takes her back. “She used a cleanser morning and night, then lotion that always smelled amazing,” she says. That sensory memory inspired Esther’s own hunt for the perfect-smelling skincare.
But beyond the physical routines came the core message: love the skin you’re in. “My mum is light-skinned and always told me never to bleach my skin,” Esther recalls. “She reminded me to stick to moisturisers and natural oils.” Her mum’s beauty philosophy? Keep it simple, healthy, and yours. Cod liver oil and all.
Whether it was in how they styled their hair, the perfume they wore, or the effortless confidence they exuded in their Sunday loungewear, our mothers taught us that self-care isn’t just about looking good. It’s about feeling good—unapologetically, consistently, and lovingly.
So this Mother’s Day, we’re lighting a candle, slathering on our favourite body butter, and raising a glass to the women who taught us that beauty starts with how we care for ourselves.
