Beauty Products.
Two things are certain when it comes to my beauty products: I don’t have time to mess with too many of them, and I can’t stomach overspending on them. Let’s be honest, nobody can tell if you’re rocking Sephora or NYC. I promise they can’t.
In my everyday life, I have 5-10 minutes, max, to put my “face” on. And another 10 or so to do something with my hair. On five-ish hours of sleep, you can imagine what I’m working with at 6:30 am. YIKES! So, I need a miracle. I present to you my go-to beauty products for moms! Five things that I use every single day, that I believe are miracle workers, and that make it possible for me to go out in public.
1. L’Oréal Voluminous Original Mascara
I was never a Mascara must-have type of person until I had kids. Most days I have swollen, puffy, tired eyes and this stuff does wonders to make my eyes look open at least. My lashes have also thinned out since having kids. You can spend $5 or you can spend $20 on this product. I try different ones all the time, but I always come back to this gem. At only $5.99, it seems to do the trick better than most and can be found almost everywhere.
Side note: I loathe waterproof mascara and nothing ruins my day more than getting home realizing I bought waterproof instead of regular mascara. So pay attention to that if you’re like me!
2. Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzer
Life is better with bronzer. This has been a staple of mine since college. If I’m running out the door, I can take 10 seconds to put some of this on and for whatever reason I feel more glamorous. I have done shimmer bronzers, but the last year I did matte ones and have liked those. Again, another product that ranges in price and variation. I do get a nicer bronzer HOWEVER….this stuff lasts me 9-12 months. There are two I really love, Bahama Mama Bronzer ($20) and Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzer ($30). It seems like a lot, but when you do the math, it’s only a few bucks a month. The Too Faced was in my stocking last year and it’s still not gone!
3. Suave Dry Shampoo
MIRACLE SPRAY is what it should be called. Ain’t nobody got time to be showering, drying, and styling their hair every morning! I have found adding a third child means shower the night before, or not at all. The unpredictability of the mornings leave little time for that. Who’s going to get up early today? Who’s going to pee through their pajamas? Who’s going to have a blowout? Who’s going to have a meltdown?
You understand. I know you do.
This is another item that I have tried different price ranges and brands. I always come back to good ol’ Suave at $4.99. It smells good and works great. I absolutely could not live without this stuff. For blondes, it also works as a root cover up for the weeks (or months) you’re rocking the outgrowth. Just don’t rub in it as much after applying and POOF.
4. Maybelline Baby Lips
I have to have something on my lips, but I don’t necessarily love lipstick all the time. Insert tinted chapstick – or at least that’s what I refer to it as. It’s moisturizing and gives you a little bit of color. WIN-WIN! There are several shades to choose from and when they are extra chapped, you can get the Dr. Rescue kind shown below. This one is great in the winter! Bonus: It’s inexpensive which is perfect for me. My 18 month old who eats crayons and chapstick (yup you read that right), always hijacks my favorite chapstick and destroys it with his fingers and mouth. I’m not sure if this exists, but someone needs to invent an edible chapstick. My son would greatly appreciate it and I would fill his stocking to the brim with them.
5. Maybelline Instant Age Rewind
The grand finale! If I had to pick ONE beauty product to have at all times, it would be this one. I discovered this watching a YouTube video of all things one day when I was trying to find easy day-to-day make up. The gal swore by this stuff and I don’t think there are many days I’ve done without it since. Dark Tired Mama Eye Circles BE GONE! I apply it in a “V” under my eyes and use a beauty blend sponge to blend it. IT’S MAGIC! I always get the illuminator shade. It can also be used on the bridge of your nose or under your eyebrows as a highlighter, or to cover up blemishes. Oh, how I love this stuff!
Easy beauty products that are inexpensive and effective are so valuable for mamas on the go. They are also always changing, so it’s fun to try new ones and figure out what works and what doesn’t. I also recommend keeping them away from little hands who will eat them, smear them on walls, or take the caps off and hide them! Now you know why my photos include a few cap-less beauty supplies.