Mom Was Right! Advice From Women We Love

At one point or another, we all receive a piece of unforgettable advice from one of the amazing women in our lives. It’s the kind of life-altering guidance, big or small, that allows us to grow and better ourselves: from the one thing we should always do before leaving the house to the secret way to save our hearts from being broken. So, in celebration of Mother’s Day, our team shared the memorable lessons they still live by, today and every day.

Alessio Rossi, General Manager, US

“Her best advice has been to keep going, stay positive and if you can’t get it right now, it will get better next time!”

Amanda Coombs, Associate Project Manager, International, Creative Services

“My mom taught me not to overlook the grocery store when searching for beauty and wellness products. She buys Vitamin C powder to lighten dark spots, adds Jell-O powder to face masks for an extra boost of collagen, and eats ginger to reduce inflammation and promote joint health. It’s a great way to save money and avoid the added chemicals in some beauty products.”

Angela Reasoner, Executive Sales and Education Manager

“Handing a $5 bill to a homeless man in St. Paul, MN my mother told me, ‘You never know where people are. My job is to give, not to judge.’”  

Angelica DelPriore, Senior Vice President, Global Creative

“Throughout my life and always when I am extra busy (which is always — my nickname from my childhood friends is ADP, Always Doing Projects) or starting something new, my mother would always say to me, ‘Fa cose buone.’ Translation: do good things.”

Carly Giglio, Global Artist & Learning Design Manager, Color & Artistry

“My mom always told me… ‘Never be afraid to look them in the eye and give a firm handshake.’”

Cathi Castillo, Spa Director East

“My mother would constantly say, ‘If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.’ It’s something I think about every day.”

Chanel Holcombe, Executive Assistant

“My grandmother Lillian’s advice to me from the very beginning was to travel before I settled down as a wife or mother. She always said it’s important to find what makes YOU happy, with or without the contributions of others. This way your experience can only be strengthened in numbers.” 

Chhaya Govind, Executive Sales & Education Manager

“My mother Savita taught me to always know the difference between beauty and character. Beauty will catch your attention but character will catch your heart.”

Dawn Hobbs, Regional Sales and Education Executive, Southern CA

“My mom Linda taught me to try clothes on, even if they looked bad on the hanger. This is so true because it might look good on you.”

Diana Paccione, Vice President, Spa and Independent Accounts

“My mother Margaret taught me to look good, but to be an even better person.”

Elsa Cho, Key Account Manager, Sephora & SiJCP

 “My mom Laura would say, ‘Go read a book.’”

Emmie Salaj, Senior Vice President, International Business Development & Global Education

“My mother Fatima taught me that a woman should never financially rely on a man. Instead work hard and always be in a position to choose one.”

Stephanie Huszar, Copy Director

“I’ve been lucky to have some great mentors during my career in the magazine and beauty industries. One of my first bosses — an iconic beauty editor — told me, “If you wouldn’t say it to your smartest friend, don’t write it down.” The other thing she taught me? Never underestimate the confidence-boosting power of a good red lipstick!”

Gina Mohanty, Manager, bare+BEAUTY Outlets

“My mother Sashi has always taught me to be a kind and loving person. Back in 2007, my mother generously, without any hesitation, donated her kidney to my Dad. The fact that a married couple was a match was a miracle in itself. Because of my mom, I was able to have 7 years of time and memories with my dad, until his passing in 2014. Since then, I have become an organ donor, in hopes of being half the person my mother is, and to save a life.”

Jen Anderson, Copywriter, Digital & Social

“When I first started wearing makeup, my mom advised me: ‘Don’t cover up your freckles, because they make you who you are.’ I’ve always taken that to heart, and I love flaunting the freckles my mom passed on to me. She was right. They make me who I am, and I wouldn’t want to ever change that.”

Jilian Firestone, Senior Manager, US Retail Merchandising

“My mom taught me to never leave the house without putting on lipstick. It always pops your look. And that you can do anything as long as you believe in yourself and work for it.”

Jill Scalamandre, President

“My daughter Allegra has taught me so much it’s hard to choose. She has taught me how to be more tolerant and understanding of others, to always put yourself in someone else’s shoes to understand where they are coming from. It is a lesson I have applied to many areas of my life.”

Jill Steinheider, District Manager, Upper Midwest

“Best advice? ‘Own it. You did it … own it. Don’t apologize.’”

Julie Shulman, Packaging Design Director

“With four daughters, my mom’s advice was always, ‘Embrace all your perfect imperfections as the beauty of you.’”

Karen Schneider, Project Manager

“My mom Eleanore always said to treat others as you would like to be treated; that life isn’t always fair, but it’s still pretty amazing; and family comes before everything else.”

Kayla Moffatt, International Visual Merchandising Designer

“My mom Peggy would say, ‘Always be honest and just be yourself.’”

Laura Garratt, Vice President, Global Product Development

“My mom Angela is my hero. She moved to the United States from Italy when she was only 10 years old. She learned English, became an honor student and received a scholarship to college, despite her parents’ preference that she work rather than continue school. She vowed that when she had kids, she would support them through education. She has lived up to her word — always letting my two sisters and I (and now my kids) know that, ‘Sky’s the limit.’”

Letitia Wright, Power of Good Ambassador

“Something my mom has always told me is, ‘Never chase after someone that’s not looking for you,’ if that makes any sense. Don’t get your heart broken chasing after people, things — it doesn’t even have to be a guy. It could be anything … and that really helped me along the way.”

Lina Velasquez, Visual Merchandising Designer

“My mother Mercedes has always been an inspiration in my life, not only for her advice but seeing how strong, hardworking and dedicated she has been, especially as a single mother. Every morning as she dressed me for school back in Colombia she would always tell me, “Estudie, preparese, para que nunca tenga que depender de nadie en la vida y pueda ser independiente.” Translation: Study, educate yourself so you never have to depend on anyone and can be independent in life. She still, until this day, always tells me, ‘Siempre sea noble en la vida’ (always be noble/humble in life and ‘Luche siempre por sus ideales’ (always work for my dreams, and never give up). I never had a father, but my mom for sure made up for it! Cheers to all the super moms in the world!”

Belisa Silva, Executive Director, Global Editor-in-Chief

“I am blessed to have an amazing mother, Rosa, and godmother, Carol, who have both guided me throughout my life. My favorite mom advice is, ‘Never leave the house with wet hair or when there are dirty dishes in your sink.’ Carol’s advice? ‘Don’t be burdened with imaginary timelines. Things happen when they are supposed to.’”

Lisa Sinisgalli, Global Home Shopping Broadcast Director

“My mother Vicki taught me to find something that you love to do, and you’ll never work a day in your life.”

Noel Pan, Quality Specialist

“The best advice my mom Xueping gave me is, ‘A man should be clean, not only on appearance, but also in the mind.’”

Rachelle Hood, Regional Director, East Region/Retail

“My mother Sue taught me what her mother Rose taught her: ‘You feel as good as you look and you perform as good as you feel. It doesn’t take a lot of money to look your best every day.’ I now pass that along to my two daughters!”

Ryan Stephens, Regional Director

“My mother Denise taught me: surround yourself with good people, because you will always become a product of your environment.”

Sarah Walter, Junior Copywriter

“It was never spoken as advice, but my mom never wore makeup (and still doesn’t). Although I now wear and love makeup myself, having grown up not really giving it a thought (and learning by example that it wasn’t a necessity) helped me feel comfortable in my own skin in those trying teenage years.”

Shauna Harwood, Manager, Complexion, Global Brand Marketing

“My mom always told me for softer, shinier, smoother hair apply a cup of mayonnaise to hair and cover with tin foil. Leave on for 20 minutes for amazing results!”

Trish Maher, Executive Sales & Education Manager

“My mother Carmen always said, ‘Make sure you give more than you take, and always be grateful.’”

Victoria DeCicco, Associate Account Manager

“One unique piece of advice my mom always gives me is, ‘Don’t set limits for yourself. Break down barriers.’ She always encourages me to do what makes me happy in life no matter what anyone else will say because there will always be critics. Always strive for greatness.’”

Zoé Belden, Associate Manager, Global Business Intelligence and Analytics.

“My mother Elionne taught me, ‘Keep love in your heart, and always leave the house ready to have your picture taken.’”

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