Busy Moms = Hot Mess Moms
Are you the hot mess mom at drop off every morning at school? I know I am some days. I don’t do mornings. I’m a night owl which makes my slow-moving mornings even worse. I have to make my morning quick and simple to try to avoid the hot mess look. Busy moms need quick and simple beauty hacks to get out the door in the morning. I don’t wear makeup for the most part so I’ve narrowed down my list to a few staples to help me get out the door quicker and (slightly) better looking.
The Busy Mom Staples
- Mascara
- Lip balm
- Dry shampoo
- Hair elastics/quick hairstyles
- Tea Tree Oil
No More Hot Mess
Here’s a quick rundown of some of my favourite products for busy moms, why I love them and how to use them.
Mascara
First up for me is mascara. While I’m currently a brunette (ish), I am naturally a blonde. Which means I have the lightest eyelashes ever. They’re long and full but barely noticeable. I do not leave my house without mascara as a result. While it’s not the ultimate fix, it helps my eyes look bigger and brighter aka less tired. I love Lash Power mascara by Clinique. It’s a pricier mascara but I wait until Clinique Bonus time at the department stores to buy two of them and reap the benefits of the free stuff! It takes the sting out of the $18 price tag. The reason I love it is that it gives a very natural look and it comes off with warm water. It lasts through tears and splashes at the pool without leaving me resembling a raccoon but comes off easily in the shower.
Lip Balm
Dry, cracked lips are appealing on no one. Lip balm is a quick and simple cure and easy to carry around. Like most women, I think I have about 10 on the go in various locations. One in the diaper bag, one in my purse for the rare occasion I get to ditch the diaper bag for adult time, one by my bed, one in the bathroom, you get it. I will also admit that I tend to buy higher quality lip balm as it lasts longer, feels nicer and heals my lips better. There are some great higher-end brands at Shoppers Drug Mart that you can always save up your points to buy. I use basic lip balm without any colour or perfumes and it suits me just fine!
Dry Shampoo
This rounds out my top 3 most important items for busy moms. Everything else I can live without but this is a must for me. I don’t wash my hair every day. I just do not have time for that (and besides, it’s healthier for your hair if you don’t). But some mornings you wake up late, realize you haven’t washed your hair in three days and it looks like an oil slick. Dry shampoo to the rescue! I have tried many brands but my favourite is by far Batiste. They all smell wonderful so it’s not a big deal if you forget your perfume one day. The Hint of Color line is fantastic as I’m a brunette with blonde roots. I use dry shampoo in place of hairspray as well since I suffer from flyaways that hairspray can never seem to control. I will put Batiste on my freshly washed & dried hair to tame the frizz. If you’ve never tried dry shampoo, you’re missing out.
Hair Styling
While I would love to have perfectly styled hair every day, that is not a reality unless I hire a permanent hairstylist to live with me. The dry shampoo is a blessing but hair elastics also save the day. Rock that top knot or pull it back into a messy bun. It doesn’t matter what you use, it’s handy to have something to pull back your hair. And look at that photo above – instant bracelet when not in use!
I do have a secret hair trick that I use for the nights I shower before bed. I don’t want to run my hair dryer once the kids are asleep but I also don’t want to wake up with a matted mess that dried in a weird pile on my head all night. Bring back the old-school braid! Have a hot steamy shower to relax before bed, towel-dry your hair and braid it. You are not leaving the house so it does not matter what it looks like.
If you stick with a simple braid at the nape of your neck, you will have sleek hair on the crown in the morning but a nice curly ponytail. Undo the braid, pull back into a ponytail with your trusty elastic and away you go. Dry shampoo to tame the frizzes! While not beautiful, I am able to give myself a bit of a french braid. If you can reach around your head and start at the crown, go for it. You will wake up with beautiful wavy hair! You don’t even have to brush it which really cuts down on your mornings.
Tea Tree Oil
While this is a product that has many, many uses, Tea Tree Oil is my go-to for pimples. Being a busy mom means I don’t always take care of myself. As a result, I often have the face of a teenager. I’ve always suffered with cystic acne (it’s usually 1 or 2 in the week before my period). There’s a few ways to deal with it but Tea Tree works well for me. I dab it on the offending zits before bed and wake up with a pimple that is far less red and angry.
What are your busy mom beauty hacks? I want to hear your tips!
You have to take care of you and we’re here to help.
Now you’ve got the beauty covered, it’s time to update your fashion!
Andrea can always be found with a new craft in front of her, a form of technology on her right and a coffee on her left. This is how she survives suburbia with her two crazy toddlers in tow.
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