Old is gold, especially when beauty secrets are passed down through generations. When it comes to skin care, grandmothers and mothers know it all. They chose home remedies and natural treatments to beautify their skin.

From old wives’ tales to quirky little hacks, many ladies in the home have tips and tricks specific to them.

Beauty experts from Granny Mouse Country House & Spa take a look back at skin-care through the decades, starting from the “Roaring 20’s” right up to the 50’s.

1920’s – The beginning of this decade, often referred to as the roaring twenties, signified a time of change for women. The Victorian era of pale, covered-up skin and minimal face makeup were out, and a more vibrant look was in. As such, women began taking better care of their skin. By this time, regular bathing had also become normalized, baths even started to be used for relaxation and comfort, although weren’t quite as extravagant as the bath we pamper ourselves with today!

1930’s – An overall bronzed look became fashionable in the roaring ‘20s, and by the 1930’s, women all over wanted to debut a light summer tan year-round. Cosmetic companies took note and followed suit, launching face powders in darker shades meant to provide a ‘barely-there’ tan. More elaborate skin care routines also became popular during this decade, with many women going through 10-step skin care regimens every evening over a basin of hot water.

1940’s – Following in the footsteps of the elaborate skin care routines that became the norm during the 1930s, women in the 1940’s began to prioritize taking care of their skin over everything else. The use of cold cream became very popular, which women would often leave on their complexion overnight rather than washing off. Facial moisturizer also saw a rise in popularly, and women would layer on rich, thick creams that promised baby-soft skin.

1950’s – DIY beauty didn’t just become popular over the last few years. Back in the ‘50s, many women took a DIY approach to their skin care routines, using products we consider multi-use staples today, like baby powder and petroleum jelly.

These generations see the world differently and seek different experiences from their beauty brands. The beauty industry has a healthy future as long as it understands the critical nature of all of its consumer segments.

Nestled in the heart of the Midlands, Granny Mouse’s on-site spa offers a host of treatments to pamper Moms from head to toe. With a wide selection of treatments, ranging from facials and massages, mani’s and pedi’s, body wraps and hydro baths, there’s a treatment for everyone, and packages can be arranged to suit every need.

So, if you’re considering a special skincare treatment for Mother’s Day this year, have a sneak peek at our spa menu by clicking on the link: https://grannymouse.co.za/our-spa

Mothers are generally the back bone of the household – they do it all for us and most of what they do goes unnoticed; it’s taken as a given (on special occasions they do get hugs & kisses).

She is the protector, the disciplinarian and the one you can share everything with. She is more often selfless, making sacrifices for what she wants and needs, ensuring the wants and needs of her children are met first.

She also works super hard to make sure that her kids are equipped with the skills and abilities to make it as a good, kind and competent human being. Most importantly, she brings you up so that others will also love and care about you when you have left the nest.

So, all this being said, it is that time of year when we need to pay respect and make the first woman we ever loved feel extra special – our mum.

We all know that a well-cooked meal can go a long way. And what better way to accompany a well-cooked meal by creating a special table setting for the celebration, especially if you are doing it at home.

When setting the table keep it soft. This is really important as it sets the tone of the meal that you will be serving. Soft colours such as pinks and various shades of white will look really amazing. If you have the soft tones it would be lovely to include some fresh bouquets.

When purchasing flowers, make sure they have their natural fragrance. Use a vase to make a centrepiece and include some colours while making sure it complements the table. And the bonus of a bouquet, is that once the meal is over, mum gets an extra gift of flowers to take home.

Keep it simple. The décor should remain as clean as possible. If you are eating on a wooden table, make sure it’s clean. And if it is showing its age, cover with a simple white tablecloth. As for the cutlery and dining plates etc, now is the time for the “good china”, which will definitely make her feel extra special.

If you are having an evening affair, include some candles, and even if you don’t light them it will make the table look pretty. If you prefer, use the candles to set the tone as a centrepiece instead of flowers.

It doesn’t matter how old we are, we always want to impress our mom, and remind her of how loved she is. Any thought, whether big or small, counts in her eyes.

One final tip from the head culinary artists at Granny Mouse Country House & Spa, “Our advice is to cook from the heart and, if you are bringing out the “good china”, please make sure you wash up carefully and return safely back into the display cabinet!”

They also added that if you don’t plan to cook, then bring her to Granny Mouse Country House & Spa, and treat her to a wonderful lunch at the Bistro or a delicious dinner at the Eaves Restaurant.