Beauty Tips for the Work-At-Home Mom 

Working from home and taking care of three kids can get a little insane at times, and some days looking my best seems like it’s the last thing on my very, very long to-do list. Over the years, however, I’ve picked up some beauty tricks that make it easier to feel stylish and done-up even on my busiest days.

How? The trick to it is to incorporate simple, easy-to-do steps into your routine, or to set aside time one day a week, every week (even if it’s only an hour!) to do some freshening up and styling that will last for more than a few days – whether it’s painting your nails while the kids are taking naps, or wrapping your hair for a deep-condition while you drive them to school. Again, if you keep at it, eventually it’ll become routine.
 

Photo taken by Jax (as you can see, I need to get on a makeup routine)

Take off the Sweats

I work from home where nobody is going to see me on most days except the kids. That’s why on days when I feel really stressed and busy in the morning, I reach for something really fast to just throw on.

However, one of the easiest things you can do to look and feel better is to put on some real clothes. If you’re not at the gym, take off the gym clothes. You don’t have to get dressed up like you’re going to a wedding, but a great pair of jeans and a pressed top or a simple dress will go a long way toward making you look better.

An easy way to get in the habit of getting out of your grunge clothes is to pick out a few “staple” outfits that are comfortable but stylish and ready-to-wear. That way you don’t have to waste too much time in front of the mirror trying to figure out a new look.

By planning ahead and having the knowledge that you DO have some stylish looks in your closet, it’ll make changing out of those sweats, PJs and workout clothes much easier.

Care for Your Face

If you’re down to the bare-minimum care for your face, you probably only washing your face in the morning and evening. That isn’t quite enough to keep your skin clear and glowing.

The first step is exfoliating and moisturizing. This doesn’t have to be complicated or involve a lot of crazy products. Facial scrubs are great for removing dead skin on the face and leaving your skin healthy and glowing, and there are plenty of recipes out there for scrubs that you can make at home with ingredients you’ve probably got sitting in your cupboard right now.

Using a Tinted Moisturizer

As for moisturizing, using a tinted moisturizer is my not-so-secret weapon. It works to hydrate my skin, keep it healthy, and works to conceal a lot of little flaws. On days when I don’t have any time to apply make-up (which, let’s be honest, is most days), this still makes me feel as if I’ve got my war-paint on.

When you’re looking for tinted moisturizer, find one that’s pretty close to your skin tone. You want it to look like you’re not wearing any makeup at all – just like your skin is a little more perfect than it really is.

Honey, Milk and Cucumber Mask

However, if you’ve neglected your skin for a little too long, try this honey, milk and cucumber mask to help rejuvenate your skin. It’s easy to make, and it works quickly, so you don’t need more than 20-30 minutes.

Step 1: Peel 1/4 cucumber and process it in a blender until it’s a watery paste. Remove about half of the liquid with a strainer or muslin cloth. 

Step 2: Add one tablespoon of whole milk and stir.

Step 3: Heat two tablespoons of honey in the microwave for about 20 seconds. Add the honey to the cucumber and milk mixture and stir. 

Step 4: Gently apply the mixture onto clean skin. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes before rinsing it off with lukewarm water. You don’t need to wash your face after using the mask.

I swear by this one. But if you don’t have time to make the mask then just slather the honey on your face anyway. Avoid the eye areas (if you’ve got signs of puffy eyes, slices of cucumbers DO actually work!) and leave it for 15-20 minutes.

You’ll be surprised by the results - I know I was! Now my youngest isn’t the only one with baby-soft skin.

Treat Your Hands

Taking care of my hands always seems like a big to-do, but I’ve figured out ways to keep it short. While your kids are napping, watching TV or even doing their homework, you can sit down with them and give yourself a quick manicure.

You don’t have to soak your hands. In fact, you should always cut and file your nails when they are dry to prevent splitting. Save the cuticle care for a trip to the salon.

Once you’ve shaped your nails the way you want, apply a clear coat of nail polish to give it a shiny but natural look. This way your nails look nice and healthy, but chipping and cracking won’t be that noticeable. Between kids and work, my hands take a beating, and this really helps.

Taking care of yourself does take a few minutes each day, but looking good doesn’t have to mean a whole day at the spa, or two-hour skin care regimes. Using these tips, you can look and feel great on a daily basis, and you won’t have to sacrifice precious sleep to do it.


Marcela De Vivo is a freelance writer in the Los Angeles area. She has written on everything from health & wellness, marketing and technology, and currently writes for the beauty blog at Skintrium.

I will be back with more posts more frequently, hopefully in the next couple of weeks as I get the hang of having about 4 full time jobs at the moment! Hope you'll bear with me :)