I realized a couple weeks ago that I myself have been having a very hard time getting ready in the morning, feeding the pets, having coffee and breaking, and making it out the door on time for work. I try my hardest to stay in bed as long as possible before getting into the morning routine which is why I decided to sit down and put together a few tips and tricks to make it easier for you to get out the door in half the time! Not to mention, you will still look like the mom who has it all together, even if you don’t. These tips all sound quite simple but they just might get you thinking “hmm.. I never thought of that…” (this post contains affiliate links)
Shower at Night
It sounds pretty simple but I find that taking a shower at night instead of the morning takes 15 minutes out of my morning routine which mean 15 more minutes in bed! What I do is shower, let me hair dry slightly, then braid in three even sections and go to bed. When I wake up in the morning I let my braids out and I get some pretty wavy hair all ready to go! It may take a few tries to figure out what is best for your hair after you shower to ensure that when you wake up it is good to go!
If you don’t have it yet go get it! This stuff is really awesome because when I forget to take a shower at night or are just too busy, I can spray my hair with dry shampoo in the morning and it comes out looking like perfect bed head when usually my hair would be frizzy all over the place. The one I use and love is Batiste Dry Shampoo that you can buy on amazon. I don’t have to shower every day! Yay!
Related: 8 things to do before 8am every day
Fresh Face Always
If all else fails, you forgot to shower at night and there is almost no hope that you will have time to shower in the morning there are a couple things you can do. First, keep facial cleansing wipes on your night stand, this will (hopefully) force you to at least remove makeup so your face will be clean and clear in the morning.
Second, also keep a small bottle of moisturizer on your night stand, again to ensure your face is taken care of. The next thing we worry about the most is our hair. You can easily use dry shampoo if your hair is manageable and if not, a sock bun! Sock buns or donut buns are what I use for my hair at least 3 times every week. They are so easy to do, they look very sophisticated, they are in style right now, and your hair does not have to be clean to do it!
Get Organized – Being organized can shake 5-10 minutes off your morning routine just because everything you need, the colors, the pencils, brushes are right at your fingertips. Trust me, all of my makeup goes into a giant drawer, I have one small basket where my eye shadows go but that was it. Because of this tip I ordered a simple makeup organizer from amazon! Not kidding, seriously the best idea ever. Also I am virtually blind without contacts or glasses so color coding trays really helps me figure out what products I need without being able to see clearly.
Get Ready the Night Before – Similar to taking a shower at night, many women like to get ready the night before. This is a great idea if you have very early days here and there. Depending on your type of hair, this can be done easily. Curly hair might need more attention in the morning versus wavy or straight hair. I usually use this technique when I know the next morning is going to be a rough one like Sunday nights. I will actually put on eyeliner at night, since it takes me the longest, then touch it up in the morning and finish with a little foundation and mascara. I don’t find it too hard to keep it on at night but this might also depend on what kind of sleeper you are.
Red Lipstick Miracles – Red lipstick is the new ultimate glamour statement it can turn a “whatever” look into “I’ve got it together” look. I practically wear it every day because my laziness always wins in the morning. However, because of this, it has also now become the go-to for fashion’s It girls like Kate Moss. Kate Moss uses the red lipstick to pull together her messy bed-head waves and her day-after makeup into a “don’t care, still fab” look. It is really nice to know that my laziness isn’t that uncommon.
Shaving Is Not So Fun – Waxing also is painful. But we do it anyway because we don’t want anyone (and I mean anyone) touching those hairy bits of ours. When shaving at night or quickly in the morning and if you don’t wax already try using a razor with its own built in lubrication. I switched from disposable men’s razors to the Intuition cartridge razors that have this amazing moisturizing stick that surrounds the razor giving you lubrication before and after you shave immediately. This helps me especially because I also dislike taking showers almost as much as getting out of bed in the morning. When I get into the shower at night I try to take only 15 minutes to save water so this all-in-one razor is perfect for not having to moisturize before or after. If you don’t have this, need to shave, but also dislike applying lotion after sometimes I use hair conditioner as a substitute to shaving cream. Either way, my legs always come out smooth and soft when I get out of the shower.
Three Steps In One! Sunscreen & Moisturizer & Perfume – If you are really awesome and apply lotion, sun screen, and perfume everyday cut some time and reach for a product that takes care of all of that in one. I use this every morning because (A.) lotion is necessary in my dry weather (B.) Sun screen is also necessary especially during the summer, and (C.) I’d like to smell nice sometimes. What I use is the Aveno Hydro Sport with SPF 30; it really does smell pretty nice.
Permanent Makeup – Many professional women are now choosing to have permanent makeup done. Permanent makeup is also referred to as micro-pigmentation and is exactly like getting a tattoo. However, instead of a getting a tattoo at a parlor, you are getting a tattoo done at a medical spa or cosmetic surgery practice. Permanent makeup is the ultimate time saver but it is also a serious choice because like a tattoo, it is permanent. Permanent makeup can save you years of time with no worries about smudging or reapplying as it won’t come off in the shower. If I was not such a pain-freak I would love to have permanent makeup done, applying makeup is also something I dislike to do, probably not surprising.
Spare Stash – Last but not least, this is just a quick tip that I do because I am the most forgetful person in the whole world. I like to put a few necessary items in my car’s glove box or console. The items are usually travel size but they include deodorant, facial power, eyeliner, mascara, and hair ties all in a little baggy. I also have a spare asthma inhaler and some tampons because those are really helpful emergency items. Now when I am rushing out the house I know I can do my make up at stop lights or if I forget deodorant, which I am the most guilty of, I have some in my car. It’s perfect!
What is your best beauty tip for a busy mama?
Jennifer works for a medical dermatology practice in San Francisco. She has two kittens and loves to write about all things beauty, women, health and fitness! She spends her days outside and at the center where she learns as much as she can from the nurse practitioners at the center. This San Francisco Dermatologist specializes in not only skin care treatments such as acne treatment but also cosmetic dermatology such as microdermabrasion and Fraxel Laser treatments. They also are leading experts in the ever popular injectables Juvederm and Botox in San Francisco, CA.
Serenity de Clare says
Hi. Those are all good tips but I highly recommend NOT wearing makeup to bed. It is just not good for your skin. All makeup should be removed before bed. Those few precious hours whilst we sleep gives our skin the time to breath and regenerate. Something that it cannot do during the day, which is why is should NOT be having any makeup on it during your sleeping time, including eye liner or any makeup at all. If you constantly wear any makeup to bed, it makes your skin age faster, in fact.
I just thought I would throw that out there is all.
Once again, very good tips. Thanks :)
Beatrice says
Great tip!
http://www.amomsjourney.net
Louise says
Awesome tips!!! I never worry about makeup in the morning though I only wear it on special occasions. But I’m lucky to have (in general) clear skin and a fairly good, yet pale complection
Michelle @ Moms Are Frugal says
Great tips! I am going to try the dry shampoo because that is where Iose alot of my time.
wanda says
Wow….this must be one busy mama.
If you can’t wash your face (morn or night) something in your busy life has to go.
I like the shaving with lubricated razor tip. That’s important.
Jelli says
I’ve heard a lot of raves about dry shampoo. It’s high time I check it out, especially for those times when I work out in the morning and both my kiddies wake up screaming from their naps, leaving me no time to shower. Thanks for the tips!
Kizzy says
Some great tips here, many I had completely not thought of.
Jessica says
Great tips! One that I’d add is to wear something other than a t-shirt and throw on some jewelry. It doesn’t take any longer to put on a nice top than it does a t-shirt and it takes about three seconds to put on a necklace or a pair of earrings and they really help you look like you’ve got it together. I think these tips are SO important because often in our culture, having children is looked down upon. When I go out in public, I want to give the impression that I enjoy my life as a mother (since I DO!) and not the impression that I’m falling apart (even though I sometimes am!). :)
Andrea says
Permanent makeup scares me! I’ve seen the ultimate down side of tattooing eyebrows. When your face begins to droop your permanent eyebrows take on a scary shape. Yikes! Visiting from LOBS.
Britni says
All great tips but my favorite is definitely dry shampoo; it’s my best friend these days. http://talenttoplay.blogspot.com
Jill says
Those are some great tips! Thanks so much for sharing with us at Thursday’s Temptation. Your link got the most views so I will be featuring it at tonights link party!
Jill
Kathy Penney @ Sparkles And A Stove says
Pinning this one! My appearance seems to have declined as my love for my children grows. :-)
Jennifer @ The Jenny Evolution says
Hi, Paula. Such a great post! You’re featured at the Friday Flash Blog on The Jenny Evolution. Thanks for sharing and keep evolving.
Jennifer @ The Jenny Evolution
Deborah D says
I never thought of keeping trace wipes on the night stand. What wonderful tips!
C. Sahm says
Great tips!! I’ll have to try the dry shampoo. Since mascara is my “never leave home without” makeup. I just wanted to suggest an option to false lashes that are impossible to wear as a mom and pricey extensions that we don’t have time or money to spend getting. ! I have recently found a mascara product that is all natural and gives the same effect of falsies. Enjoy the moments and wear makeup that you don’t have to worry about. Last all day and the 3D Fiber Lash Mascara is water resistant for those tear jerking moments that we all have on occasion. It comes in two tubes. One is gel and the other is dry green tea fibers. You alternate the two until you get the length and volume you want. It builds on your existing lashes with no glue or mess. Water resistant. Applies like mascara and washes off with facial cleanser. Check out the ingredients for your self at http://www.butterflykissesmakeup.com
Beatrice says
Great tips!!! Love the dry shampoo one, I already do that when needed. I also shower at night. I hate getting I bed yucky, AND I am ready in the craziness of the early morning! I also use bronzer, this way when I am out of time to put a touch of make up, mascara will do, and I don’t look like a black eyed panda. Lip gloss / tint is a myst and oh so easy! And even though my love for children grows, that has nothing to do with my love for my appearance that needs to decrease. It just has its phases, sometimes good sometimes not so good… so throw some shades on.
xoxo
http://www.amomsjourney.net
lisa says
I’m glad you did though and gave us some insight. Maybe you can make a post about how you set up your business and finances of doing it (without detailed numbers of course). I think it’d be really interesting and helpful to learn about the thought process of starting a successful company.eswt machines for sale
Alexander says
Great tips!!! Love the dry shampoo one, I already do that when needed…Hi, Paula. Such a great post! You’re featured at the Friday Flash Blog on The Jenny Evolution. I just wanted to suggest an option to false lashes that are impossible to wear as a mom and pricey extensions that we don’t have time or money to spend getting..All great tips but my favorite is definitely dry shampoo; it’s my best friend these days..
https://www.brightbeautly.blogspot.com