Daily Face Routine: Mom Edition

Becoming a Mom is the most rewarding thing that I’ve ever done but for months I found myself neglecting myself in favor of making sure my son was getting as much attention as possible. While I’m sure he’s enjoyed having Mommy around to feed him (every two hours still) and provide him with hours of stimulating activities, I was spent. I felt tired and hated looking at myself.

A couple of weeks ago I decided that enough was enough. I couldn’t be a good Mom to my active almost 7-month-old if I didn’t take care of myself. So I dusted off the vanity my husband got me for my birthday last month, filled it with my most used products and made a promise to myself that I would at least put on some face cream every day.

Now I know what some of you Moms are thinking ‘I can’t possibly do that, there’s no time, from the moment I wake up my baby needs me.’ I felt the exact same way for months and while it’s true that he still very much needs me for a lot of things he actually does give me opportunities to fix myself up. So I’m going to share both how I squeeze in a little makeup every day and what products I use. Your routine may not look exactly like this but it may give you some ideas on things that you can do.

I don’t want any of you to think that I waltz into my son’s room in the morning all done up. I do not, I’m usually still a little bit shellshocked in the morning from the prior day’s non-stop activities. But I have realized that I have a great window of opportunity to fix myself up when he goes down for his first nap around 9am. This nap usually gives me about 30 to 45 minutes to get myself together.

Here’s a round-up of what I use:

1. Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash (Walmart, $7.98) – Before I put anything on my face I make sure I’m working with a clean canvas. If you search my blog you’ll see that I talk about this facial cleanser quite a bit. I’ve been a loyal user since I first discovered it was gentle enough for my rosacea-prone skin over a decade ago and I still love it! It leaves my face feeling nice and fresh and ready to receive all the products.
2. Caudalie Vine[Activ] Energizing and Smoothing Eye Cream (Caudalie.com, $39.00) – This is probably one of the pricier products that I own and full disclosure my mother-in-law generously purchased it for me because she thought I needed to treat myself. It sat around the bathroom for months before I finally opened it up. As tired as I am as a new Mom and as dark as my dark circles have become this cream manages to make me look alive and well. I dab this on first before I put anything else on.
3. Philosophy Purity Made Simple Moisturizer (Belk.com, $25.00) – After I prep my eyes I put on my face moisturizer. I started using this moisturizer after we moved to Charleston since I found my skin getting very dry in the fall and winter. Despite what the locals may think, it’s not as humid here as it is in Florida and my face knows it. I love this moisturizer because it’s still lightweight while being incredibly hydrating. I also find that it sets up the perfect base for my makeup.
4. Physicians Formula Super CC Color-Correction Cream (Amazon, $13.91) – Once I’m moisturized I apply this CC cream with a sponge. I like it because it provides great coverage and has SPF built-in. While it’s great in the winter, it really shines in the summer. I’ve been known to wear this to the beach or pool and not lose any coverage no matter how much I sweat.

   

5. LA Girl Pro Concealer Corrector Peach (Ulta.com, $4.99) – This is probably the most important step in my routine, at least the one that makes me feel human again; covering up my dark circles. I start by applying this protector that I found randomly one day at Ulta. I’d been looking for a good orangey, peachy corrector for my undereye area and kept failing. Some products were too cakey, some were too drying but this one is just perfect for me. It never clumps up and makes all that darkness go away.
6. Maybelline Fit Me Liquid Concealer (Light) (Walmart, $5.34) – After I have color corrected I add this liquid concealer around the bottom of my orbital bone to complete the cover-up. I find that this combo covers up my dark circles without looking heavy or like I’m wearing any makeup.
7. Revlon Color Stay Powder (Walmart, $8.59) – I then set everything with this powder. It sets everything nicely and covers up any imperfections without washing me out. And they’re not lying when they say that it lasts all day, it can handle baby drool, temper tantrums, and even mid-afternoon Mommy tears in the laundry room (you know you’ve been there).
8. Covergirl Cheekers Blush (Walmart, $3.44) – For a touch of life I swipe this over my cheeks. I’ve used it forever and even when I buy more expensive ones I always come back to it because I just like the way it looks on my cheeks. Plus it fits this budget just fine. Gotta save that money in case the football scholarship doesn’t come through.
9. Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm (Walmart, $3.29) – Finally I keep really simple with my lips because they’re pretty pouty on their own and don’t need a whole lot of extra emphasis. I’ve been really liking the Burt’s Bees Lip Balm because I can go hours before I need to touch it up.

Now I know what you’re thinking what about makeup on the eyes? I normally wear glasses during the day so I find that putting on eyeshadow and mascara doesn’t quite have the same effect so in an effort to save time I skip it. But if I was going to add something I would usually just do a single eyeshadow (something coppery) and do a quick swipe of mascara.

The whole routine takes me between 5 to 10 minutes to do. Since I started doing this every day I feel reinvigorated to do all kinds of things, workout, cook, organize, brush my hair. It’s still a process. I still have a hard time accomplishing a lot more than just being Rigel’s Mom. Sometimes the house stays a mess and I can’t crack open a textbook but I’m trying. Trying so hard to put the pieces back together.

Let me know if you have a Mom Routine that’s quick and gets you out the door and handling those kids right away. Also, let me know how long it took you after you had your babies before you started to feel “normal” again.

Until next time may your concealer be strong,