I’m pretty sure it’s no secret that I’m a working mom. I’ve mentioned this aspect of who I am in several posts because it is a CONSTANT struggle that I’m forced to confront on a daily basis. I would do anything to be home full time, but that’s not our reality, and as a result I find myself regularly coming up with ways to look awake! alert! peppy! — you name it. It’s something I think about.
I also think it’s no secret that your world gets turned upside down when children bless your life. Fellow mommies know that things change in both anticipated and unanticipated ways. I knew, for instance, that the morning struggle to get ready would be far different after my maternity leave, but what I couldn’t have guessed was that I’d find teeth marks on my YSL lipstick tubes (my son thinks they’re great for teething!), or that I’d look up from cleaning to find my daughter attempting to sneak into my makeup collection to play because she was “looking for something [she] lost in [our] bedroom.”
Suuuuuure…
Before I had children, I promised myself that makeup would still be “my thing” as a mom. Everyone needs an escape, and a “me time,” and this would be mine.
Unfortunately, “my thing” is also a hobby that happens to overlap with the hectic morning rush, so I’ve started to gravitate toward products that I refer to as my “light bright” favorites.
Why, do you ask? Because they’re light and bright and make me look awake! alert! peppy! (I think I’m trying to convince myself that I’m all of those things by typing it more than once… *drinks more coffee*)
I choose to focus on two different areas to ensure that my face looks as ready to take on the day as my spirit…
When it comes to my eyes — although I apply a whole array of different looks when given the time — I focus on illuminating tricks to hide my dark circles and invite light to reflect upon the areas of my face that would otherwise look sleepy. Be it Urban Decay’s new must-have waterline eye pencil, a creamy corrector or a fabulous foiled shadow, I’ll grab anything that will help me get ready in a flash.
Throw a few of these around the eye area with a little mascara, and I’m ready to go!
I also believe that when paired with an illuminating eye, a bright pop of glossy color on the lips helps draw attention away from dull skin. Lipstick is great…but it’s a bit more high maintenance than gloss when I’m in a rush. Given that I have dry lips, many of the glosses I favor also have the added benefit of moisturizing, which is a win-win. I often blend super bright shades like MAC Rebel gloss with a milky nude pink like Buxom White Russian for a wearable pop of color that’s glossy and fresh.
Of course, this means that I end up carrying about 10 tubes of gloss by the week’s end…but even a busy girl has to have choices, right?
And these aren’t the only products I apply, but thanks to practice and the ever looming reminder that one of the kiddos is about to wake up. I have my morning makeup routine down to a 5-10 minute sprint. I feel awake, I’m happy that I’ve gotten to dabble in my favorite hobby — if only briefly — and I’m ready to take on the day.
So, fellow busy ladies, what are your “speedy” makeup tricks? Do you favor “light bright” makeup like I do? How does makeup fit into your busy day equation?
I like your routine! I am not a mom (unless being a cat mom and doggie aunt counts) but I have a quick routine anyway: concealer, powder, a soft beige or bronze eyeshadow, and lipstick.
Mom or no I think we all need our “crap I’m running late!” speedy routine!
Jessica
Having had my second child only six weeks ago I can totally relate. Getting ready in the mornings is far from being me-time, and looking awake is main focus. I use similar products and focus on hiding the lack of sleep.
I feel you lady. Even nine months in I’m STILL trying to conceal dark circles as much as I can. 🙂
Jessica
As a mom of two I can totally relate! I’m definitely going to have to check out the Urban Decay liner. I would love to see a tutorial on how you approach an illuminated eye look. 🙂
Will definitely work on getting one up before my time here with Karen is done! 🙂
Jessica
As a college student, I’m ALL about super-quick “yeah i totally got the appropriate amount of sleep last night, no i didn’t wake up 10 minutes ago” brightening looks. I especially love opalescent/duochrome colors like KVD Thunderstruck type deals, because they’re brightening as well as super interesting. Although there is a certain kind of power in letting people see your dark circles so they know not to mess with you…
This is about the third time I’ve recently heard rave reviews of KVD Thunderstruck. I’m thinking I need to check it out!
And I totally agree with you. It’s always best not to cover things up *too* much. 🙂
Jessica
I see a few of my favorites here! Love, love, LOVE MAC Nymphette. 🙂
Nymphette is so amazing! I think it had its moment a few years ago but I don’t really hear much about it anymore which is a shame. It’s so great.
Jessica
I’m not a mum, but I am a wife, a full time veterinarian and avid runner, so quick brightening makeup is my fave! My go-to is Urban Decay’s naked concealer under the eyes, a little Laura Mercier loose powder, a slick of any mascara I can find and a little Illamasqua Gleam on the cheeks!
Sounds pretty familiar to me! I haven’t tried UD’s Naked Concealer but I keep hearing really good things.
Jessica
Hii..i’m a mom of 2 kids.. did not have time to do my makeup today at all! I just swiped on ysl rouge volupte shine 12 corail incandescent and it instantly brightened up my face..i dabbed some compact powder foundation on my face..that’s it!
Most days it’s bb foundation stick as concealer, powder , maybelline mascara and a lipstick according to my mood.. 🙂
Isn’t Corail Incandescent the bomb?! I so love that color. I’ve even been known to use it as a blush when I’m really in a rush …
Jessica
I’m all about that kind of makeup!
I too would love to see a tutorial using these basic illuminating looks and products.
I’ll definitely work on it. 🙂
Jessica
my routine is definitely down to 10minutes for the daily, except I’m not a mom, I just like to snooze WAY too many times until I have not time left to do everything I want:
-mac fluidline for brows are a must
-Sephora future gel concealer
-UD 24/7 e/l IN PERVERSION
-SEPHORA liquid liner in black
-elf contour palette
-too faced love blush palette for blush
-cortibalm – because I don’t like gloss and have super dry lips
and done!
*if I have some time left, I’ll do mascara, but most days I just go without
I am desperate to try a Too Faced Love Flush blush. Do you have a favorite shade?
Jessica
there are so many shades on the love flush blush palette, but if I had to pick a favorite one, it would have to be
” I will always love you”
BONUS because it has just the right amount of shimmer that makes your face look brighter but not like a disco ball!
(2nd place goes to “How deep is your love” for the perfect peachy pink with a matte finish)
but either of these will brighten up your entire face in one swipe ;;)
I’ve been keeping things SUPER streamlined recently. Fill in my brows, sweep on the different powders in my hourglass ambient lighting palette (to get that fancy in there), maaaybe throw on some mascara. Pick a bright lip to go with my outfit. Bam!
Not wearing much makeup as a makeup-lover feels oddly rebellious, lol. I’m kind of loving this phase 🙂
I know what you mean! I’ve always been confident without makeup, but it’s also fun to realize which products you REALLY value.
Jessica
My kids are grown now. When I had kids, if I had time for makeup, I’d also go with light, bright neutrals. Loose mineral powder foundation (in the 90s for me, that was pretty mostly bareEscentuals/bareMinerals) and mineral veil for fast and effective on my oily skin, and covered by hormonally caused zits. Their All-Over Face Color in Rose Radiance was my only blush/”bronzer,” and really perk up my tired face. Usually a one-shade wash of nude shimmery eyeshadow. Mascara. Lip balm so I could kiss my kids. If I went out, shimmery peachy lip gloss.
My current fast look really isn’t much different, except now I add brown eyeliner and setting spray. One-three neutral eyeshadows, depending on how much time I have. Bright lipstick.
I definitely agree with you about the balm. I wear lightly tinted products with my kiddos most often so I can smooch them on the cheeks.
Jessica
🙂
Sounds like you got the routine down and found the perfect balance between being a busy mom and looking fresh and awake.
I love your routine. As a student I’m not afraid to go out with just some tinted sunscreen on.