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Even though I knew that I'd be sacrificing a
lot of "me" time when I had my second baby this fall, I admit I still was overestimating how much time I'd have each day for a beauty routine. Oh, how nature ensures that mommies will forget many of the details of the first few months after birth...
Now that I've returned to work and things have settled into more of a routine, I thought I'd share a few of my quick routine favorites!
1. BB Cream
I've always been a fan of BB Creams, I talk about them on here quite a bit, but it seems to be even more important as a new mom! There were quite a few days that I was lucky to be able to brush my teeth and wash my face. Quickly rubbing on a moisturizer on my way out of the bathroom did a lot of extra jobs if it wasn't just a moisturizer, but was a BB Cream. Depending on which formulation you chose, this one step can be your moisturizer, an anti-aging cream, daily sunscreen, can fight hyperpigmentation and offer some much needed coverage for your sleep deprived face!
My Current Favorites:
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Diorskin Nude BB Creme
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Pond's Luminous Finish BB Plus Cream
2 &3. Corrector and Concealer
If I have time, my next step is always covering up my undereye circles! If you are lucky and don't have much of a circle you can get away with just using a concealer (my
favorite undereye concealers are here), but if you have some discoloration it is best to layer that concealer over a corrector (how to use a
color corrector). In general, apply the corrector only on the area of discoloration, concealer should go over it, as well as in an inverted triangle under the eyes, over the inner eye, and around the nose (see the chart).
For application tips, don't forget to check out my
Concealer Tips to see how I use the undereye triangle for better application, and how I
hide undereye puffiness.
Great Correctors:
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Bobbi Brown Corrector
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NYX Concealer in a Jar
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FACE Stockholm Corrector Quad
A Few Concealer Options:
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Amazing Cosmetics Amazing Concealer
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IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye
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L.A. Girl Pro Concealer
4. Highlighter
Yes, highlighter is next. And there's one that I'm reaching for now, thanks to this
Refinery29 review. Yes, the RMS Living Luminizer is
really worth the $38 price tag. And then some. I apply it with a quick fingertip pat to the areas show in the picture. It catches just the right amount of light and really makes me look more awake. Totally worth it.
I bought mine at
J. Crew because it counts for those storewide sales and you can get 20-40% off on it, but it is often sold out. It's also at
Birchbox and
DermStore.
Also try
ELF Shimmering Facial Whip (in Lilac Petal, one of my
favorite ELF products) as a lower price ($38 vs $1??) alternative. The ELF is definitely more shimmering, I would cut it with a little concealer or moisturizer. You need about half the shimmer of the ELF to approximate the RMS Living Luminizer.
5. All in One Color
If there's time for any color, I go right for blush first. Being up at night really washes me out the next day, and a little bit of blush makes a big difference! I have found that a cream product like
NARS The Multiple in Orgasm gives me just the right glow and only takes a few moments. I brush the stick onto my cheeks, then blend with fingertips. The same color can be used on my lids and even on my lips with just my fingers.
Another Option:
•
e.l.f. Essential All Over Color Stick
6. Lash Curler and Mascara
A good mascara opens my eyes, really making me look awake. Mascara without curling your lashes first is just a waste of time in my opinion.
My Favorite Mascaras:
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CoverGirl Bombshell Volume Mascara
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Too Faced Better than Sex Mascara
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Charlotte Tilbury Full Fat Lashes 5 Star Mascara
7. Easy Lippie
I need something on my lips, especially in the winter! I don't need much color, but a little
something is good! Since I'm usually out of time to spend on myself by the time I get to the lips, I've been relying on products that I can stick in my pocket and apply while running around.
Currently In My Pocket:
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Yves Saint Laurent Volupté Tint-In-Oil (in I Rose for You)
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Dior 'Addict Lip Glow' Color Reviver Balm
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Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm
8. Dry Shampoo
What would a mommy beauty post be without dry shampoo?? Yes, washing, drying and then styling hair can take a
lot of time, especially if you have a ton of hair like I do! I stretch out the time between stylings with dry shampoo. In the past I've used it in the mornings, but even with a good brushing it can still make my hair look a little matte.
So, my new trick is to use it before bed. Yes, I spray a ton of dry shampoo willy nilly throughout my hair before bed. I don't even bother brushing. Just spray and ignore the white powder. When I wake up my hair is volumized, still shiny, but doesn't look matte or greasy. It just looks kind of perfect!
My Favorite Dry Shampoos:
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Klorane Dry Shampoo with Nettle
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Aveeno Active Naturals Pure Renewal Dry Shampoo
9. Makeup Remover Wipes
I'm gone back and forth on makeup remover wipes. They're convenient, but they don't remove everything. The wipes can be irritating, and that can sometimes be just as bad as not removing everything. But, I admit I repurchased some wipes for postpartum and there are some nights that I can barely get myself to use them, I'm so tired! I no longer concentrate on getting off all of my eye makeup (if I have any on), instead I just try to get stuff off of my skin and leave it at that.
My Go-To Remover Wipes:
MAC Wipes
Aveeno Ultra Calming Makeup Removing Wipes
10. Great Moisturizing Cream
There's a lot of hand washing associated with having a new baby, and that really does a number on my hands. They are dry, cracked and painful unless I apply moisturizer of some sort after pretty much every hand washing! Shifting hormones also masses with the skin on my body, so I transition over to a more moisturizing product for my body as well.
My Favorite Creams:
Cetaphil
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream
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