Mornings always feel like a mad scramble to get out the door. My little ones, who are seven and five years old, seem to move in slow motion: they take their sweet time getting out of bed, eat breakfast s-l-o-w-l-y, and can never decide what to wear. Which means that on some days all I have time for is sunscreen and a ponytail. But I try not to be so minimal.
When I’m put together I feel better prepared to tackle my day. It’s like when your home is tidy and organized; it makes your life feel more organized.
So to help you ‘keep it together’ during drop-offs, pick-ups, and all the running around in between, I want to share my Mom-In-A-Rush beauty routine!
It takes ten minutes and relies on two main beauty hacks:
- Multi-tasking products
- Cream formulas for foundation, blush and eyeshadow that can be applied without a brush.
STEP 1
After showering, I spray a facial mist over my face and neck to boost the feeling of moisture from my sunscreen (see Step 2). While the facial mist sets, I brush my teeth and put in my contact lenses.
Favorites: Odacite Aloe & Immortelle Hydra-Repair Treatment Mist, Josh Rosebrook Hydrating Accelerator.
STEP 2
I apply a multi-tasking sunscreen that has the benefits of a nutrient-rich serum and a moisturizer. So instead of applying three different products I only need one. If your skin is very dry you might still need a moisturizer on top of your sunscreen, but at least you’ll have the serum part covered. And remember to apply sunscreen under the eyes, too! The skin around your eyes is thinner than the rest of your face and more susceptible to UV damage.
STEP 3
While the sunscreen and moisturizer are setting, I do my hair. You want to let your skincare products set a little before applying makeup to avoid any pilling.
STEP 4
Use a foundation or concealer that works for both your under-eye area and all over your face. Almost any creamy concealer can be sheered out with a little moisturizer to create a liquid foundation. Opening only one product = time saved. I apply it around my nose, on any red patches, and under my eyes.
Favorites: Hynt Beauty DUET Concealer (which can be mixed with moisturizer to create a liquid foundation), Vapour Organic Beauty Atmosphere Luminous Foundation.
STEP 5
There’s no time for contouring with bronzer and highlighter when I’m in a rush. Instead, I use a warm blush that gives me the appearance of a tan-like glow rather than my usual pink blushes. And always a cream formula that I can apply with my fingers on the go!
On days when I have more time to do my makeup I reach for powder-based blushes and bronzers. Using a brush definitely gives me more control when applying and blending and creates a truly seamless look. Powders also last longer than cream formulas because they absorb some of the oil on the skin’s surface, making them less likely to slip and move around throughout the day.
STEP 6
When I’m in a rush I use a cream-based eyeshadow that I can swipe on with my finger. When I have a big event, or simply more time to apply my makeup, I use powder eyeshadows. Just as with powder-based blushes and bronzers, powder formulas allow more seamless blending and have more staying power.
Favorites: Au Naturale Creme de la Creme Eye Shadows in ‘Addiction’ and ‘Palma’, RMS Beauty Eye Polish in ‘Solar’.
STEP 7
Mascara is mascara, so I just make sure that the one I’m using is good for my lashes, doesn’t cause my eyes to feel irritated, and doesn’t clump easily. Formulas that visibly lengthen and define are great because your lashes are less likely to stick to each other, whereas volumizing formulas deposit fibers onto the lashes. Curl lashes, apply a few coats, done.
Favorites: Da lish Mascara, Hynt Beauty Nocturne Mascara.
STEP 8
Apply a tinted lip balm that gives your lips a natural wash of color, conditions, and doesn’t require a mirror to apply.
Favorites:Hynt Beauty ARIA PURE lipstick in “Pinkbelle” (Hynt’s lipsticks have a lip conditioner and application mirror hidden in the flip up cap for application on the go), Ilia Beauty Tinted Lip Conditioner in ‘Blossom Lady’, Mereadesso Tinted Lip Treats in ‘Sheer Pink’.
Usually by this point my daughter comes into my bathroom wanting to do her makeup, too. She’s only five, so I need to make sure she doesn’t get things in her eye and lipstick all over her face. I usually let her play because I know the products I use are free from impurities. While I'm wiping off the 'creative' makeup my daughter has just applied to her face, my son runs over to me crying hysterically because his favorite basketball shorts are nowhere to be found. But if I’m feeling polished and put together I can better handle anything! Almost...
Sonia Keuroghlian is a corporate attorney turned green beauty and wellness influencer. She is the founder of KEU (soniakeu.com), a one-stop green beauty and wellness resource to help detoxify and optimize your beauty and wellness regimes with safer products, all without compromising performance. Sonia's perspective is that of a mom looking to fit her beauty and wellness routines within the demands of a busy family and work life. Combining her love of green beauty, passion for wellness, and fine-tuned analytical and research skills, Sonia educates and shares her green knowledge through her blog, workshops, speaking appearances, brand partnerships and live shows on the YouCam Makeup App. Sonia splits her time between Toronto and Los Angeles, and lives with her husband, son and daughter.