12 Southern Belle Beauty Tips Southern Women Swear By

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When you think of the South, there are likely a few things that come to mind. Southern belles, sweet tea and the country landscape to name a few.

But, the South also has its own style for beauty, including big hair, bold lips and plenty of bling. If you want to be a true southern belle, you have to know their southern makeup tips.

Learn how to incorporate a little Southern style into your makeup and beauty routine each day.

12 southern beauty tips straight from the south

Calling all Steel Magnolias! These beauty tips from the South will have you prepared and in style, the southern belle way.

1. Lipstick = Confidence

One beauty tip from the South is to always wear lipstick

When it comes to confidence, all a southern gal needs is a tube of lipstick. It is an essential part of the Southern Belle makeup routine.

However, dark and dramatic isn’t the go-to look, and while bold reds are great, neutral lips still reign supreme in the south. During the summer months, you will also find brighter colors, such as magenta and coral.

The most important thing to remember is to not leave home without it! And always reapply. You can use a lip stain if you want something with some serious lasting power.

Shop the right lipstick for you here at Ulta. Make sure you pick a shade that complements your natural coloring.

2. Vaseline Is a Multi-Purpose Beauty Product

If there is anything you should have in your bag or with you at all times it is Vaseline. A few reasons to keep this on-hand include:

Instant relief from bug bites
Smooth and neutral lip balm
Easily and quickly remove eye makeup (or mascara runs if you had a good cry!)

3. Oil Is the Best Shaving Cream

From early April to late September, the temperatures in the South reach scorching heights. As a result, skirts and shorts are considered the go-to southern outfit.

However, for most, this means having to shave their legs almost daily. Many southerners swear that using oils rather than traditional shaving cream keeps legs smoother longer. Plus it helps moisturize those Southern legs!

Of course, you can also just opt for shaving gels with moisturizers in them.

4. Hairspray Helps Your Southern Belle Makeup Stay

Hairspray is a versatile beauty tool for Southerners

Bug spray is necessity in the South but not as much as hairspray! However, it is used for more than just keeping wayward strands of hair in place.

A beauty trick that some southern belles swear by in their makeup routine is to spray the face with a bit of hairspray to keep face makeup lasting all day long.

Try Big Sexy Hairpsray and Play Volumizing Spray from Sexy Hair for serious Southern girl volume and hold. And, for keeping your makeup in place and fade-free!

5. Bold and Beautiful Eyelashes are a Southern MAkeup Must

Women in the South like their eyelashes the way they like their hair – bold and beautiful.

Think Scarlet O’Hara’s fanned out, wide-eyed lashes that are always considered “on trend” in the South. While falsies are used occasionally, a better way to achieve bold lashes is with plenty of mascara.

And, southernern women have been known to say that castor oil can help grow eyebrows and eyelashes. You can give this DIY lash booster a shot if you don’t have the budget for the paid lash boosters.

Of course a lash booster like this one before applying mascara is a good call as well!

6. Always Wash your Face

Don’t make the mistake of skipping the cleansing. Wash your face morning and night to prevent breakouts, aid in anti-aging and keep the skin supple!

Figure out the best regimen of beauty products for you and stick to a routine no matter what.

During the day they use blotting papers to combat the sweat and shine from the 90 degree temperatures of the South!

You can choose a cleanser based on your skin concerns. If you have dry skin, opt for a moisturizing cleanse.

If your skin is acne prone, then maybe a glycolic or saciliyic acid wash. The point is, choose the best cleanser for you!

Here are a few of our favorite options for facial cleansers to include in your beauty routine:

Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleansing Wash (every dermatologist I’ve ever had has recommended this as a daily face wash!)

CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser with Hyaluronic Acid and Ceramides

Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel

7. Makeup and the Beach Don’t Mix

When you see a southern woman out and about, you can expect she will have at least a bit of makeup on. However, they also know when it is best to ditch their makeup.

One of these times is going to the beach. You should never wear makeup to the beach – a pair of large sunglasses, an oversized hat and a good sunscreen is all you need.

And of course a good book! Annnddddd maybe a cooler with some wine or white claws in it!

Try a tinted sunscreen for natural color without makeup that also protects your face.

8. Bronzer Is a beauty Product to Use Year-Round

southern beauty tips — Bronzer any day of the week is southern beauty tip to remember

Women in the South are definitely into that year-round glow. You will find a lot of bronzer in the bathroom cabinet of any southern belle.

There is no need to ditch the bronzer just because the season changes. Whether you choose matte or sparkly, bronzed skin is a beauty must for southern women.

Tarte is one of my favorite make-up brands, try any of their bronzers for a southern beauty, sun-kissed look. That you can rock all year long!

9. Sunscreen, Sunscreen, Sunscreen

You will be hard pressed to run into a southern mother who will tell you not to put sunscreen on – regardless of the weather outside.

However, there are a few rules and tips to abide by. Don’t ever use sunscreen that is meant for the body on the face. It can cause nasty breakouts for one thing.

Also, you should splurge and choose a product designed for delicate skin.

And, when it comes to anti-aging, this is the number one, most important part of your beauty routine!

I’ve had more than one dermatologist tell me that if I’m spending money on anti-aging products but not wearing sunscreen every day, I’m throwing my money down the toilet!

Always put on your sunscreen at the beginning of each day, even if it is cloudy outside. You can just make it the next step after moisturizing.

A southern beauty tip is also to not use tanning beds and in general just try to protect your face from the sun.

10. Use Primer as The First STep of Southern Girl Makeup

Primer is essential in a makeup routine. Primer should be applied before your foundation and makeup.

It creates a smooth canvas for your makeup, filling in creases and covering imperfections. But most importantly, it helps your makeup stay fresh all day, without fading or creasing off.

This one extra beauty routine step is well worth it! Try Smashbox Photo Finish Primer or this Pore Minimizing Primer from Bare Minerals.

11. Hairspray Is No Joke

Yes, the southern beauty tip about hairspray is on here twice! When it comes to hairspray, southern women don’t mess around.

The majority of women have different types of hairspray for different events, but there is one thing that most can agree on – hairspray has to keep your hair in place.

Humidity in the South is brutal, and if you don’t use the proper spray, your hair is going to turn against you which makes this beauty tip from the South worth repeating.

12. Moisturize

Heat and humidity in the South can be brutal. And it wears on your skin. Moisturizing is a southern must-do beauty secret.

It really is an important part of the beauty routine for any woman. Moisturizing keeps your skin supple, protects it from the elements and helps with anti-aging.

Here are some moisturizers you can try for your souther girl makeup routine:

Honest Beauty Everyday Radiance Moisturizer + Vitamin C

Shiseido Essential Energy Hydrating Cream

Clinique Moisture Surge Replenishing Moisturizer