Our Five Ring Circus: The Busy Mom's Guide To Beauty - 15 Time-saving Products I LOVE

Wednesday, April 18, 2018

The Busy Mom's Guide To Beauty - 15 Time-saving Products I LOVE

The Busy Mom's Guide To Beauty - 15 Time-saving Products I LOVE

I may be a busy mom to four children, but I still care about the way I look! I know that looks don't matter in the grand scheme of things, but truthfully, my appearance is the only thing that makes me feel like I'm more than just a mom. The reality, though, is that I just don't have enough time for an in-depth beauty routine, so time-saving products are a MUST!


Although I'm not one to leave the house without getting dressed and putting on at least a little bit of makeup, I'm not really a high-maintenance person. (Well, except for when I sleep. Grant says I'm a sleep diva because the room HAS to be completely dark and I need a box fan running to tune out all noise!) I'm more of a keep things natural/enhance the features type of person!

My morning routine usually consists of showering while my Fournado hangs from the shower door (Oh, you think I'm kidding?!?), then attempting to put on makeup and fix my hair while keeping him and our puppy from destroying the house! Mom life sure is glam, isn't it? And the kicker is that I only have about 20 minutes to complete these tasks.

With the help of several awesome beauty products, I managed to streamline my beauty routine. I opted for long-wearing makeup, and instead of fighting against my naturally wavy hair like I have always done, I finally decided to embrace the waves this year, and work with it instead of against it! The result was me saving at least 10 minutes each day, because I can skip the blow dryer and/or straightening iron. That is a mom win! And today I'm going to share all of my awesome finds with you!


The Busy Mom's Guide To Beauty


Beauty Blogger

STEP ONE...CAFFEINE!


I truly admire the moms that eliminate caffeine from their diet. I, however, am not one of them! So, if you're anything like me, start with the basics: pee, make sure you can see (I can't without contacts), then grab a cup of something hot and highly caffeinated! Bonus points for using a travel mug (like my favorite Starbucks mug) to keep your drink piping hot so you don't have to re-heat it approximately 10 times. Just keeping it real!

Starbucks Travel Mug

GET CLEAN!


There are two options here: "YAY, I have time to shower!" and "Not going to happen today!" You know, I always hope for the first one, but sometimes, it just doesn't happen!

If I do have time to shower, I don't really skimp on much. I mean, it's pretty basic: shampoo, conditioner, face wash, shaving and body wash. And when I get out, I want to smell good all day as I chase around my crew, which leads me to my first favorite (other than caffeine)...

Bath & Body Works Body Lotion

I've tried a lot of lotions, and this one always remains my favorite! It makes my skin feel soft, and I love the wide variety of fragrances. My favorite one is Vanilla Bean Noel, which is only available at Christmas, so I stock up each year! The scent seems to last all day long!

Bath & Body Works Body Lotion

Batiste Dry Shampoo

If you happen to be on Team It's Not Going To Happen Today (which happens at least once a week for me), I highly recommend a good dry shampoo. After all, it is a mom's best friend! This dry shampoo is the best I've tried, and it comes in a wide variety of scents. I quickly spray it into my roots, then brush it through. My hair instantly looks clean, gets an awesome volume boost, and smells REALLY good! Amazon and TJ Maxx are the best places to find it. TJ Maxx carries the giant bottle, and Amazon often has two packs and mini variety packs. 

Batiste Dry Shampoo

MAKEUP!


Once I'm clean (or at least faking it), I put on my makeup for the day. I'm a huge fan of long-wearing products, because I don't have much time to worry about reapplying! Here are my essentials:

Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Eye Creme

This is the first product I apply. This eye cream feels cool and refreshing as I apply it, and the light tint immediately brightens my undereye area. I let it set in for about a minute (while I chug some hot tea), before I move on.

Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Eye Creme

Garnier SkinActive BB Cream Anti-Aging 5-in-1 Miracle Skin Perfector with SPF 15

I've tried a lot of BB Creams, and this BB Cream is my favorite! I don't like to use a heavy face moisturizer in the morning, and I'm not a fan of foundation or powder, so this is a great alternative. It's not too thick and not too thin. It moisturizes well, gives a light coverage, and makes my skin glow. Plus, with an SPF 15, I don't have to worry about putting sunscreen on my face most days.

 Garnier SkinActive BB Cream Anti-Aging 5-in-1 Miracle Skin Perfector with SPF 15

e.l.f. Cosmetics Blush Stick

My skin is really pale, and I feel like the product I have to reapply most is blush. Powder blush wears off almost instantly, and although I really like cheek stains (I love Benetint), they can be difficult to apply.  This is why I love this creamy blush stick from e.l.f. Cosmetics! It goes on smoothly, blends easily, adds a pop of color, and lasts MUCH longer than powder blush! I love it so much that I keep one in my purse makeup bag, too. It works well as a lip color in a pinch!

e.l.f. Cosmetics Blush Stick

Rimmel Stay Blushed Liquid Cheek Tint

This is the other blush that I use. Stay Blushed is a new find, and I love it because it gives a very natural pop of color. It's really lightweight, so it blends in very easily. The color may be light, but it lasts all day long, and looks dewy on my skin!

Rimmel Stay Blushed Liquid Cheek Tint

e.l.f. Cosmetics Waterproof Eyeliner Pen

A few years ago, a friend recommended this Eyeliner Pen, and I was VERY skeptical, because it was only $2. I was SO wrong about it. I seriously believe it's one of the best kept beauty secrets, because even though it's cheap, it literally lasts all day, even through tears!

e.l.f. Cosmetics Waterproof Eyeliner Pen

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Lip Shine

I'm going to be honest - I love the look of lip color, but I hate wearing it! Every long-wearing "miracle" lip color brand I have tried painfully dried out my lips, so I avoid them. Regular lipstick feels too thick and disappears instantly. The only thing I like is lip gloss, and Neutrogena has one of the most comfortable ones I have tried! It truly feels like I'm wearing lip balm, and has never dried out my lips!

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Lip Shine

HAIR


Moving on to hair...I spent so many years battling my natural hair texture that I finally gave up. Waves are in, so why not just work with them, and skip the hair dryer?!?  The first product I'm going to mention, however, is a MUST for everybody!

Wet Brush

If you don't have this brush, do yourself a favor and get one now! I originally bought it for my daughters, since they hated brushing through their tangles. This brush works like a dream. I threw away every other brush in my house after trying this one for the first time on my own hair!

Wet Brush

Herbal Essences Body Envy Volumizing Mousse

I absolutely love this mousse! I work it through my hair as soon as I take off my awesome Turbie Twist (an honorable mention that makes my hair dry faster). My hair is fine, so it definitely needs a boost, and this mousse does just that!

Herbal Essences Body Envy Volumizing Mousse

Garnier Fructis Style Wonder Waves

A popular beauty blogger recommended this wave-enhancing spray on Instagram, so I decided to give it a try. I didn't set my expectations too high, but I love it so much that I use it every single day! I spray it into my damp hair after my shower, and I either scrunch my hair to make it a bit curlier, or I shape sculpted waves around my finger...and they stay! If I don't have time to shower the following day, I just spritz a little bit on my dry hair and gently scrunch to reactivite the previous day's waves!

Garnier Fructis Style Wonder Waves

THE NIGHTTIME ROUTINE


By the end of the day, I am EXHAUSTED! I can barely muster up enough energy to remove my contacts and brush my teeth, let alone wash my face. So...I skip it! I keep makeup removing cleaning towelettes in my bedside table, along with a nighttime moisturizing cream and a roll on eye cream. Easy peasy, and I can do it from the comfort of my own bed!

up & up Sensitive Skin Cleansing Facial Wipes

I am not brand loyal to cleansing wipes. I've tried a bunch, and most of them work equally as well. These Target-brand wipes just happen to be the most recent ones I'm using, and they work well!

up & up Sensitive Skin Cleansing Facial Wipes

L'Oreal Revitalift Triple Power Intense Overnight Mask

I prefer to use a heavy moisturizer at night, and I love this one because it firms, tones, and lifts! With nightly use, it keeps my skin soft and supple, and I really do notice a difference when I use it. My skin always looks brighter when I wake up!

L'Oreal Revitalift Triple Power Intense Overnight Mask

L'Oreal Revitalift Triple Power Eye Treatment

This eye cream feels amazing when it's applied, thanks to a cool, metal applicator tip. It glides on easily, fights wrinkles, and even helps reduce undereye bags (which I get thanks to my lack of sleep...it is 2:15 AM and I'm still awake).

L'Oreal Revitalift Triple Power Eye Treatment

MY SECRET WEAPON...


I'm going to let you in on a little beauty secret passed down from my mom, who just so happens to have amazing skin, and looks MUCH younger than what she really is! It surprisingly simple and cheap...vaseline! I use it on my lips several times a day and they never get chapped, and I also rub it into the corners of my eyes, and into my cuticles and nails just before going to bed. I don't get manicures, but using it each night keeps my nails looking healthy and shiny! (It also works REALLY well to remove stubborn waterproof mascara from eyelashes!) I love it so much that I keep a giant tub in my bed, one in the bathroom, a small one in my laptop bag, a small one in the TV stand, a mini one in my purse, and a mini one in my car! It's cheap and it WORKS!

Beauty Secret...Vaseline!

My beauty routine is simplified thanks to these awesome time-saving beauty products! That makes this busy mama VERY happy. Now if somebody would be able to give me more hours in a day to get stuff done, I would be all set!


Beauty Tips for Busy Moms

What are your favorite time-saving beauty products? Leave your recommendations in the comments!


The Busy Mom's Guide To Beauty - 15 Time-saving Products I LOVE! #beauty #makup #beautyproducts #momblogger #beautyblogger

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11 comments:

  1. I don't think I could make it without the wet brush! And my mom has forever used vaseline to remove her eye makeup. I've never thought about using on my cuticles!! Thanks for sharing.

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    1. I know! My husband actually used it for the first time today, and he tole me he loves the brush! Sometimes I feel like vaseline works better for removing waterproof mascara than makeup remover!

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  2. I love that BB Cream too and for some reason I thought they weren't making it anymore, so yay! I also use Herbal Essences mousse.

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    1. They still make it! I found it at Target the last time I bought it!

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  3. I love B&B lotions, too! They are the only thing I've used probably since I was 15 years old. Right now I'm on a Raspberry and Sweet Mint kick, but it's been discontinued. Waaaahhhh.

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    1. Me too! I don't think I've tried that one...that's such a bummer that it was discontinued!

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  4. If it doesnt get done as fast as possible it cant be in my routine lol. I really need to try that dry shampoo.

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  5. Thanks for all the super great tips and product recommendations. Loading up my Amazon cart now! Thanks!

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  6. Hi Stephanie! This was a great post - it sounds like your timescales and pared down approach is the same as mine - you want effective products in a short space of time! I still have to get more clued up about all of this - I like the idea of something that works overnight! Also I've just really discovered dry shampoo - it's really nice to just bound out of the house (if I even bound early in the morning) instead of all the other hassle. I would love to read more 'how I do it posts' from you - us busy Mums need all the tips we can get! :) Joanne x

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  7. I love batiste dry shampoo!! It's like my best friend ha ha! I want to try those cleansing wipes from Target!

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  8. I love that BB Cream too and for some reason I thought they weren't making it anymore, so yay! I also use Herbal Essences mousse.

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