5 Minute Beauty for New Moms
Quick, Baby-Proof Makeup and Skin Care

Your body has been through some major drama and you have an entire human being permanently affixed to your body (on the outside now).   As a new mother, it can be tough to get your daily shower, much less to apply makeup.   Don't despair ... you're only 5 minutes away from looking like you actually slept last night.

STEP 1: Clean Your Face

Deep cleansing lather and invigorating splashes of water may have been your face-cleansing routine at one time, but try doing that while wearing your sleeping baby in a front carrier.   For those times when you can't put your cherub down for even 30 seconds, use face-cleansing wipes.   One hand, no water, 10 seconds...your face is clean.

STEP 2: Get the Red Out

You may have used eye drops in the past to look respectable at work after a late night partying, and now they'll make you look well rested after an all-nighter with your new 2am dance partner. Eye drops will at least make you appear alert, and they feel great on exhausted eyes.

STEP 3: Light, Pure Moisturizer

Post-delivery hormones can mean dry skin, breakouts, and ruddiness.   Most women will need a light moisturizer that can calm flare-ups, but skip heavily-scented products.   Look for the sensitive skin or fragrance-free varieties of your favorite moisturizer.

STEP 4: Mistake-Proof Foundation

Blending a line of base or foundation seamlessly into your neckline isn't on the to-do list.   Make your face foolproof with either mineral makeup (such as Bare Escentuals) or an color matching foundation (like Cover Girl's TruBlend or Revlon's Beyond Natural).   Mineral makeup goes on like a non-drying powder, and can further be used as a concealer for spot coverage.   Auto-blending lotion foundations go on like a lotion and match your skin color to even out tone instantly.   Both options are easy to apply while sleepwalking.

STEP 5: Baby-Friendly Lips

You're likely kiss your baby hundreds of times a day, thus transferring lip products onto your baby. Avoid pigmentation, heavy gloss, tea tree oil, menthol or hot/cinnamon additives found in many lip balms and lipsticks. Keep your lip products sheer, simple and pure, like those from ALBA Botanica.   If you find that your lips need a color boost, apply petroleum jelly and gently exfoliate them with a toothbrush.

STEP 6: Fake The Glow

Your vibrant pregnancy glow may depart with the placenta, but a sheer blush can bring it back. Keep it light ~ just a gentle swipe on the apples of your cheeks will do the trick.

STEP 7: Wake Up Your Eyes

Mascara is 7 hours of sleep in a tube.   Keep it waterproof and easy to apply.   We like classic, super-cheap Great Lash by Maybelline. While you're at it, use a quick slick of clear mascara to keep your brows in shape.

You're done! You only need 5 minutes (even if they aren't consecutive) to look revitalized the entire day.   Not leaving the house today?   You'll be amazed at how much better just looking refreshed can make you feel, even if onlyfor you and your ever-adoring baby.