Get ready fast: my 10 minute beauty routine for busy moms

Speed up your morning routine with these simple beauty tips made easier by our “new normal” during COVID

I used to not be much of a morning person. I hit the snooze button more times than I could count, but a baby changes that.  Now I’m so motivated in the mornings to get 10 minutes of “me time” in before the baby wakes up, I rather sleep *even* less just to capture a few moments of quiet time to take care of myself.  

Let me take a moment to repeat that because it’s important: I actually have made myself into a morning person to make sure I’m taken care of along with baby.  

I cut my morning routine from 40 minutes to 10 minutes

I figured out how just 10 minutes is all it takes to feel refreshed, ready to take on the day and more like myself.  And if I’m feeling extra ambitious, I’ll wake up a full 50 minutes earlier to get in a quick 30-40 minute workout and still have my beauty and makeup routine done before baby wakes up.

Pre-COVID and pre-baby it used to take me at least 40 minutes to get ready.  This consisted of taking a sluggish shower, drying and curling my wet hair, and leisurely applying a full face of makeup while watching Good Morning America. 

Well I’ve been preparing to go back to work, and overly thinking about what my new daily routine is going to look like.  One of my biggest concerns is still finding that “me time” in the mornings, so I’ve been crafting my super fast getting morning routine to be ready for my return to work.

So how did I cut 40 minutes into 10 minutes? 

Frankly, taking COVID into consideration helped a lot. I’m focusing on skincare and accentuating features instead of smaller details on my cheeks and eyes.  This ensures I’ll look put together on camera for all those work calls, and I’ll have less product to rub off under my face mask when I go for walks.  I’m also less concerned about having wet hair or going an extra day without washing my hair.  See! There are some bright sides to having a baby during a pandemic. ?

Simple beauty and makeup tips to speed up your morning routine

1. Use an in-shower hair styling cream (I love this one from Living Proof – put it on in the shower, light rinse, towel-dry, scrunch and done – no other products are needed) to speed up your process on hair wash days. Use a good texturizing spray to give your hair life (like this Drybar one) on your body shower days.
2. Pick multi-tasking products. Use a foundation that targets multiple needs – Check out my article, I tested 7 SPF Foundations to simplify my getting ready routine, to see what’s right for you.
3. Use a bronzer to contour your face in the shape of 3.  This article does a great job showing you how to use this method based on your face shape.  I’m loving cream bronzers these days for their smudge-proof power underneath a face mask.
4. Eyebrows are important to accentuate.  Don’t overlook your brows, they make your eyes look bigger and play a big role in framing your face. Choose a brow gel with extra small applicator like this one from Bobbi Brown for fast application and no messy powder or precise penciling needed.
5. Mascara should amp up volume for your eyelashes instead of focusing on length. 
6. Stay hydrated! Ugh I need to take my own advice.  I struggle big with hydration.  It’s always the last thing I think about when I’m going about my day.  Having a large water bottle with a straw and handle has made a big difference.  Hydration makes your skin stay glowing.

The makeup products I use for a speedy 3 minute makeup routine

Face

• Dior Forever Foundation in 2.5N
• SEA Breezy Cream Bronzer in Seychelles + SEA Breezy Blender Cream Bronzer Brush

Eyes

• Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Concealer in 2N
• Bobbi Brown Natural Brow Shaper in Brunette
• Loreal Voluminous Lash Paradise in Blackest Black

To simplify my makeup bag and quicken my routine, I try to minimize the number of brushes and applicators needed, so I apply skincare, foundation and concealer with my fingers.  When my dark circles under my eyes are bad and I need fuller coverage, I’ll use a mini beauty blender sponge.

See why I chose Dior Forever Foundation as my go-to multi-tasking face makeup coverage.  

Makeup products to skip to speed up your morning routine

You’ll notice some makeup staples aren’t included in my routine: blush, highlighter, eyeshadow, eyeliner, lipstick.  I no longer apply eyeshadow or eyeliner to my eyes and I no longer apply blush or highlighter to my face.

Blush & highlighter are not necessary if you contour your face with bronzer well.   And while eyeshadow and eyeliner make a big difference face-to-face in person, these efforts go mostly unnoticed on a Zoom call. And lipstick just seems a little extra for sitting at home in your office.

Find your “Me Time”

Taking care of yourself is so important.  Adopt some of these tips to make sure you’re able to feel like yourself.  A happy Mama is the best kind of Mama.  So Mama, grab your coffee and breakfast (try these Apricot Almond Coconut Energy Bites) and bring on your 10 minute beauty routine!

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