Moms have all had that day: we’ve now had multiple nights of interrupted sleep and maybe, honestly, no chance for a shower in the past day or two. When you know you will be meeting people you want to impress at work or out and about, it can be frustrating to know that you are wearing the past few days of sleeplessness on your face. However, a few quick tricks with make-up can help you to be looking your best when you are in those busy and tiring days of motherhood.
Rinsing, cleansing, and moisturizing are always the best possible base
Lack of sleep gets us through skin dullness even more than through dark circles under the eyes; we’ve all had those mornings where a gentle dusting of unwanted dead skin greets us on cheeks and nose.
A combination approach tends to work well in this case: start with some cold water, which tightens the facial skin and removes surface dead skin, then use a gentle cleanser that works well with your skin type. Finally, choose a moisturizing foundation for your makeup go-to: sure, we could all use a moisturizer and then a foundation, but who has time? Picking something with a little SPF, perhaps around 15, can also be very helpful in this regard.
Use a light shade of concealer or brightener under your eyes
One of the places where many of us “wear” our tiredness is in the dark circles under our eyes. With either a slightly-more-pale shade of concealer or a special brightening and smoothing product like an under-eye gel, you can take away the telltale “bags” that make people ask us with concern whether or not we are tired. Moms know that other mothers are busy and not sleeping as much as the average person! Everyone else doesn’t need to know with this little trick.
A moment with an eyelash curler adds pep to your face
Eyelash curlers are odd-looking contraptions, but once you get used to using them, they take very little time to incorporate in your make-up routine. Before applying your favorite mascara, use the curler to give your eyes a halo of long lashes. It’s important to use it in this order, since mascara will stick to the eyelash curler and make your curl look more like a jagged mess. Mascara after the curler, however, looks professional and pert, which can help draw attention away from any tiredness.
Blush for a vibrant flush
Using a spreadable liquid/cream blush, accent the apples of your cheeks with something a little pink, whatever mimics and blends your skin tone and any foundation/concealer you use well. Being a little pink in the cheeks is a much better sign than being ashen or unusually pale.
Obviously, the goal isn’t to appear out of breath and exhausted, but the vitality of a slight flush can distract from your tired demeanor and make you look upbeat and excited about something.
Go big with lip color
Of all the times when a vibrant lip color will do you well, it’s when you want people to look away from the rest of your face. Plums, bright reds, and even a nice rosy pink will work well for drawing attention away. If you are a person who can’t imagine wearing a bold lipstick, consider a matte option, which keeps the slick shininess at bay while keeping the vibrant hues. Another option is a gloss with bright color mixed in; these make it easy to re-apply and, since dehydration plagues many moms as well, a tinted lip gloss might be the best way to temporarily prevent cracked and chapped lips while you work to get your glasses of water each day.
With these tips in your back pocket, you can make your makeup routine quick and painless while still conveying a look of rested alertness to the world. Certainly the goal is to get more sleep eventually, but while you are in the thick of your latest parenting challenge, these tips will help you make do with what you have.
Links for Images:
Moisturizer: https://as2.ftcdn.net/jpg/01/42/26/79/500_F_142267957_jXc6QiptzEwhTq5EmFnSE4qQl1j3Irws.jpg
Undereye Cream: https://as2.ftcdn.net/jpg/01/65/88/59/500_F_165885934_9p5x8OVcdJICgo4sxMFbp4AmGAsjduFd.jpg
Eyelashes: https://as1.ftcdn.net/jpg/01/31/65/96/500_F_131659664_qMUycy6DdRIHz1YHZOLgFiGS9cmZiEdO.jpg
Blush: https://as2.ftcdn.net/jpg/00/33/98/85/500_F_33988562_UFgQxbXfzkagCs2VzSOklWVI5NHYrjBC.jpg
Lip Color: https://as1.ftcdn.net/jpg/01/27/40/74/500_F_127407430_cFR5F1Ual05pzXt646aTIq4f0KF0ntHF.jpg