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  4. Natural Beauty Truths From My Southern Granny

Natural Beauty Truths From My Southern Granny

Valerie Fraser Luesse, Author and Senior Travel Editor for Southern Living
By Valerie Fraser Luesse
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
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Carrie Louise Eagar
Credit: Courtesy of Valerie Fraser Luesse
She could primp more than a Southern bride.
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Carrie Louise Eagar

Carrie Louise Eagar
Credit: Courtesy of Valerie Fraser Luesse

Birmingham, Alabama, circa 1940s

My Granny was a natural beauty who didn’t believe in trusting beauty to nature. When I think of her, years after her passing, I picture her painting her nails or pin-curling her hair and tying it up in a kerchief (à la Rosie the Riveter). She was always moisturizing, spritzing, brushing, combing, and spraying. It took her a whole month just to plan her look for my cousin’s wedding and two days to execute it. She was gorgeous, as always—with Clairol-dark hair in loose waves and curls, an elegant evening dress, and just the right jewelry. She told me once that a man at church had asked whether her hair color was natural. (Apparently, he had a death wish.) Granny’s unflinching retort: “It’s the color I was born with.”

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All Wrapped Up

The Kate Hair Wrap
Credit: Robbie Caponetto

“Granny’s hair wrap was a simple scarf tied around her head. For those who lack tying skills, here’s a stylish alternative.”

Buy It: The Kate Hair Wrap, $67; silkelondon.com

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Powder Perfect

Estee Lauder Beautiful Perfumed Body Powder
Credit: Robbie Caponetto

“On a hot summer day, Granny used to say, ‘I don’t mind feeling this way, but I sure do hate to look like this.’ She loved good-smelling bath powder.”

Buy It: Beautiful Perfumed Body Powder, $57; esteelauder.com

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Forever Young

Clairol Root Touch-Up Permanent Hair Color
Credit: walgreens.com

“Granny had dark, shoulder-length hair all the way into her nineties. I intend to follow her lead, and I’ve got the chemicals to do it.”

Buy It: Clairol Root Touch-Up Permanent Hair Color, $8; walgreens.com

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Always On Point

Almay Brow Styler
Credit: Robbie Caponetto

“She was never a fan of the natural look, especially when it came to her meticulously shaped brows.”

Buy It: Almay Brow Styler, $8; ulta.com

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Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate

Supergoop Superscreen Daily Moisturizer SPF 40
Credit: Robbie Caponetto

“I don’t recall her brand of moisturizer—but she applied it religiously. This one does double duty.”

Buy It: Superscreen Daily Moisturizer SPF 40, $38; sephora.com

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    1 of 6 Carrie Louise Eagar
    2 of 6 All Wrapped Up
    3 of 6 Powder Perfect
    4 of 6 Forever Young
    5 of 6 Always On Point
    6 of 6 Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate

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