Quick Makeup Routine for Moms
Amber is a web writer whose articles focus on beauty, skincare, health, and wellness!
As a single mom with three children and a grandbaby, my life is the definition of busy. I wake up early, take a child to work, babysit the grandbaby, homeschool children, and somehow manage to fit in work. Simultaneously, I always try to look my best while accomplishing all of this.
I never know when I will have family stop by or have to run a last-minute errand! That’s why I have a fast makeup routine and have learned quite a few simple makeup tips! I get to enjoy the benefits of looking great despite not having an hour to spend in front of the mirror.
Benefits Of Looking Your Best
It can be tempting to wear pj pants all day, especially when you’re working from home, and both of your kids are attending school via Google classroom. Yet, I try to resist the urge to lounge around all day. Making sure that you look your best has a few great benefits.
Increased Self Confidence
When you look better, you feel better. A little bit of eyeshadow and putting on a cute outfit will instantly make you feel wonderful about yourself. The end result of this is that you wind up happier with yourself and in life. Your clients will hear it when you’re on the phone. Teachers will be nicer to you when your child acts up. You will have a certain air about you that demands respect.
Increased Productivity Is One Of The Biggest Benefits Of Looking Good Everyday
Pajama days quickly turn into lazy days. Those days are perfect for weekends cuddling with the babies and relaxing movie nights. They’re even better for sick days. However, I’ve found that when I try to turn weekdays into pajama days, I get almost nothing accomplished. The house turns into a reflection of my own appearance. Work is minimal. I don’t put my best effort forward. Even my clients notice it (I’m a full-time freelance writer.) This is one of the best reasons to get dressed every day.
Random Encounters Are Less Awkward
When a person looks less than their best, and suddenly the hot post office guy knocks at the door, it instantly makes the conversation awkward. Going to the school last minute is even more awkward. When you start off the day by getting dressed and making sure your makeup is on point, you know you look amazing for the rest of the day.
Establishing A Quick Makeup Routine
Quick makeup routines are always a great thing to have. Even if you spend hours in front of the mirror most days, there are going to be days that you need a quickie routine because you’re running late.
Personally, I am using a quick makeup routine daily right now. Between one child needing to be at work at seven in the morning, another needing to be ready for school by 7:30 and a third needing to be logged into Google classroom by 8:30, I simply do not have time for long morning makeup routines. These are some of the tips that I use that guarantee I look awesome and don’t take a lot of time.
Know Your Routine
Before you can master doing your makeup in five minutes flat, you have to know your routine. If you don’t have one yet, remember to go in this order:
- Skincare
- Primer (including eye primer)
- Eyebrows
- Eyes (including both eyeshadow and eyeliner)
- Foundation and concealer (you can also apply this before doing your eyebrows and eyes)
- Bronzer/ Highlighter/ Blush
- Lips
- Setting spray or powder
When you already know what you’re going to do, you can instantly do it faster. If you’re new to the world of makeup, try to save the things that you’re still practicing for days when you have more time.
Lay Out Your Products Beforehand
Instead of trying to find a gold shimmer eyeshadow in the morning, lay it out the night before. Thanks to my Ipsy bag, I have a wealth of everything from primers to eyeshadow pallets. I own four different black eyeliners (each with their own benefits.) I also like to mix things up. Sometimes, brow powder is nice. Other days, a quick brow filler pencil is where it’s at. Laying out products the night before can instantly make your morning routine go faster.
Go Minimal
If you find that your makeup routine just isn’t fitting into the allotted five minutes that you have, go minimal where you can. That means minimize anything possible. Use less foundation. Don’t bother with a ten-step process to hide your dark circles (just use concealer pencil to eliminate them most of the way.) Skip your eyeliner if you must. Remember, you should look put together. It doesn’t mean you have to wear everything every day. As you get used to doing your makeup routine in a hurry, you’ll be able to implement things that you have cut out back into your morning routine.
Read More From Bellatory
If you’re not sure what to cut out, take a good look in the mirror and decide what you can live without. Then, look at how much time you spend doing individual things. For example, I know that I spend more time on my eyeliner, but this is my makeup must-have. Days that I don’t even have five minutes, I at least stop to put on eyeliner. However, I can say forget concealer and other things for a day because I have an awesome skincare routine and a few tricks to get rid of dark circles that go a long way.
11 Quick Makeup Steps
If you have not come up with your own routine yet or don’t have time to, that’s okay! This sample routine will get you out the door in minutes. (I’ve included a few other tips in case this one doesn’t feel right.)
- Tinted moisturizer. This can be used as a substitute for foundation because it helps even out your skin tone.
- Concealer pen. A concealer pen helps to cover under-eye circles. These are easier to use, and less time consuming than using a powder foundation to cover one spot on your face.
- Brow Pencil. A brow pencil that closely matches your brow color can quickly fill in your brows.
- Brow Brush. Tame those wild brows with a quick brushing.
- Eyebrow Gel. Finally, your eyebrows need some quick eyebrow gel. (Leave it out; we’re not done with it yet . . . )
- Eyeshadow. Use a pre-planned eyeshadow. If you don’t have one, go with an eyeshadow crayon. These are easier to apply anyway!
- Eyeliner. Use eyeliner to thicken up your lashes. If you’re really tired, don’t forget to apply a light color to your bottom lid. This instantly makes you look more awake!
- Mascara. Brush on some mascara to instantly life and open your eyes.
- Eyebrow Gel, Again. One more coat of eyebrow gel. When you apply two coats, it gives your eyebrows a sleeker finish with a slight dewy touch that is flawless.
- Lipstick or Gloss. Skip the tedious lip liner and apply a quick coat of gloss, lipstick, your favorite lip fondant, etc.
- Setting Spray. Setting spray is quicker than applying powder. A few quick spritzes and you’re done as soon as it’s dry! I use one from Urban Decay. It dries in under a minute and keeps everything in place perfectly.
This is my personal makeup routine, but it might not work for you. If you’re not a fan of a particular thing, like eyebrow gel, simply opt-out of that step, and your morning makeup routine just got significantly quicker!
Quick Makeup Tips For Moms
If you need to cut back on your makeup routine even further, these tips are going to help you get there!
Eyebrows And Eyeliner Only
This look is a bit more basic, but it still looks great! The first thing that people notice about you is your eyebrows, so it’s always important to make sure they’re done. Then, add on some jet black eyeliner for a minimal makeup look that still appears put together.
Stay Hydrated
Staying properly hydrated will work wonders for your skin! It can help even out your skin tone, reduce circles under your eyes, and reduce pimples. When you eliminate the problems that you use makeup to cover up, you instantly have less than you need to incorporate into your morning makeup routine.
Pick Up a BB Cream
BB Cream is your best friend on manic mornings! This cream can be used to even skin tone while providing the coverage that you need. It simultaneously gives your look a boost while eliminating the extra steps of foundation and, occasionally, concealer.
Focus On Your Eyes Or Lips
Instead of applying makeup to the entire face, just choose one. This simple makeup tip will provide a chic look that is as effortless as it sounds. It also gives you the chance to highlight your favorite features about yourself! Draw attention to your lips with a makeup-free face except for baby pink lip gloss!
Tinted Chapstick
When I was a child, long before I was allowed to wear makeup, I was a huge fan of chocolate chapstick. It gave my lips that extra little tint that looked like I was wearing a touch of lipstick. Yet, I never got in trouble for this because it was just chapstick.
Now, this is one of my favorite ideas for rushed mornings. Tinted lip balm applies a slight tint to your lips, and it requires no effort. As a bonus, you can apply it in the middle of a meeting without looking like you’re fixing your makeup!
Try Out These Tips
Just because you’re rushed in the morning doesn’t mean that you have to look like a hot mess. These makeup tips will help you look your best even when you’re pressed for time. What are your favorite simple makeup tips?
This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.
© 2020 Amber Lynn
