Are you looking for a simple, time efficient routine that you can implement every morning to help you feel ready for whatever the day has in store?
Mornings are without fail a very busy part of the day; this is especially true for working mothers. Often times you will wake up and start your day with getting the kids ready for their day and before you know it, it’s time to leave for work and you’ve only had a chance to glance in the mirror. You get to work feeling underprepared for the day and walk into your next meeting, self-conscious of how you look. It’s not a great way to start the day, and you’d be surprised how much that is affecting your confidence.
It is not about looking a certain way, it is about feeling ready, confident and together. I have the pleasure of working with incredible women every day that express this type of sentiment and as a working mother, I get it.
Consider that there is a simple solution to address this problem and give yourself the extra confidence boost in your next meeting: the golden five minutes of a simple and thoughtful hair and makeup routine that you can implement in a flash, without having to think about it, before heading out the door. It won’t take up much of your time, but it will give you the peace of mind knowing that whatever the day brings with it, you are ready.
As a wedding makeup artist and hair stylist, I know what goes into making someone look glamorous for an event such as a wedding, but I also know how little is required to make someone feel ‘together’. In this article, I detail the essentials of a simple, time efficient makeup and hair routine for the everyday busy women.
Simple, essentials-only makeup routine for busy women
Believe it or not, you don’t need to be a professional hair stylist or makeup artist  to get that professional look, you only need a few essentials to complete your simple makeup routine. You can get your makeup done quickly, easily, and best of all; you will have an all-natural look that can go from day to night seamlessly.
Essential step 1 – skin: moisturise and cover
After washing your face thoroughly, apply a good amount of moisturizer to your face. Then dab a pea size amount of concealer or foundation on your cheeks, nose, chin, forehead, and under your eyes. Using your fingers or a makeup sponge or, blend it out to cover blemishes or dark circles.
A good concealer and foundation can cover blemishes and pigmentations easily which saves you time and prevent you from applying too many coats. Having applied a thick concealer can result in cracks and lines on your face, less is more. If you are after very light coverage, a tinted moisturiser may be a good choice for you, a two in one: a moisturiser and light foundation.
Essential step 2 – eyes: a light coat of mascara
A light coat of a good quality mascara will make your eyes appear larger, use it sparingly as excess mascara can end up being clumpy, which will smudge and cause more hassle than it’s worth.
Essential step 3- brows: eyebrow pencil or powder
Depending on your brow shape and fullness, this step may not be required. Fill in sparse areas of your eyebrows with a colour matched pencil. This step will help shape your eyes and be noticeable from a distance. Be sure to be sparing with this step, as over-done eyebrows can look heavy easily.
Essential step 4 – a glow: bronzer for glowing skin
Give yourself a subtle, healthy glow with a light dusting of bronzer. Applying a thin layer of bronzer can make you look youthful and it helps brighten your face. Applying a bit of bronzer on these areas can also help highlight your facial features: cheek bones, chin and temples. Bronzers are known to reflect light adding dimensions and definition to your face.
Essential step 5 – lips: confidence boost of a little lip colour
Next, apply a little lip colour to boost your confidence. You can use any colours you like, such as nude, pink, or even bright red. Consider using a lip tint instead of lipstick, this will ensure your lip colour lasts longer, doesn’t smudge and will withstand your morning coffee.
Essential step 6 – hair
Your hairstyle will have a big impact on the way you look, it can make you look dishevelled or chic. Consider investing in a haircut and colour that is low maintenance and that you can easily manage with little work.
Having your hair up and out of your face is a quick way to manage your hair. Â Never underestimate the power of a tidy bun or a quick ponytail for a clean and simple look.
If you haven’t had time to wash your hair, use a dry shampoo to soak up excess oil and importantly add volume to your hair.
As a bonus tip, keep your hair and makeup essentials organized in an area where you can easily do your morning routine. It is easier when you have all the things you need in one place. Carry a lip tint or lipstick and a compact powder to touch up your look throughout the day.
In the end, the way you look is not so important, it is about the way you feel about yourself that will affect your confidence and therefore your experience of the day. This article was aimed at giving insight into a simple and essentials-based routine that can be implemented quickly for an everyday look. The confidence boost that comes from knowing that you look presentable and that you like the way you look is what makes taking a few minutes out in the morning to implement a simple hair and makeup morning routine worth it on many different levels.