NEW YORK— If there is a demographic I truly admire, it’s the stay-at-home and working moms. Children themselves are a full-time preoccupation. Add matters of the house, spouse and office, and it’s no wonder that primping rituals are the first to take a backseat when it comes to the whole scheme of living la vida mama.
But it doesn’t have to be one or the other. With a few strategic, time-smart beauty tactics, looking the part of a fab supermom—perfectly coiffed from head to toe—is a cinch:
HAIR. Short cuts like pixies and bobs are the universal favorite among soccer moms, for a reason: They’re extremely low-maintenance, versatile and wash ’n wear. But if you want a cut (literally) above the rest, add dimension to longer strands by going for a full head of color, half a shade lighter than your natural tone, followed by lowlights (darker stripes) instead of highlights. This way, on extremely frazzled days when your hair is up on a ponytail, it still looks styled, even with tendrils falling at the side.
Steer clear of claw clips, unless you’re using them to curl and set hair. Here’s how: Divide hair in four sections, twirl each one up in a mini-bun, secure with clamp and leave on for an hour. Blast with hot air before unraveling, and finish with hairspray. Voila! Sexy waves with minimal effort.
SKINCARE AND MAKEUP. Having a great complexion nixes the need for tons of makeup, thereby slashing minutes off your morning to-do list. Invest in good skincare products, which include a daily SPF 15 sunscreen, an antioxidant eye cream and an anti-aging night cream. To ensure you are slathering these pricey skin treats diligently, park them next to your toothbrush, so you never forget.
As for makeup, the quickest way to get ready when pressed for time is to smooth on a tinted moisturizer, curl lashes, and apply waterproof mascara. Slick on lipstick as you move along, and carry a blusher compact to-go (chances are, all that rushing will give you a natural flush).
When going makeup-free, slip on chunky gold or silver studs, as they instantly liven up one’s face. (Keep a back-up pair in your purse.)
By all means, avoid permanent makeup. Tattooed eyeliner and eyebrows have an outdated quality, especially when done poorly. And the pigment tends to turn blue-green down the line. If you really must, go for the lightest shade of taupe or brown for the most natural look. However, if the deed’s been done, soften bluish strokes with brown eyebrow powder.
BODY CARE. Frequent spa trips may be a distant dream at the moment, but recreate a pampering setting by making your bathroom a sanctuary of relaxation. If you’re sharing the space with your kids, devote a “Mommy Corner” (or even a drawer) that has your own toiletries, apart from the communal stash. Include a bath puff, aromatherapy body wash, facial scrub, face mask, shave gel, and a women’s razor.
Once a week, whip out the whole shebang and spend a few extra minutes sudsing up, sloughing away, and de-fuzzing. Not sharing these personal effects and allotting some “Me time” doesn’t make you a selfish person. It simply is a salute and pledge to your well-being.
Mariel Chua is the former beauty editor of Cosmopolitan, Seventeen, and Ok! Magazine. She is now based in New York City. Visit NyMinuteNow.com.
(Original article link here.)
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