10 Beauty Musts For Busy Moms

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Donna Macdonald, GoLocalProv Beauty Contributor

When you're driving the car pool, chasing after little ones, trying to keep your house in order, AND working, it's easy to end up in beauty slothdom. The first thing moms cut corners on is self-care. Here are ten everyday beauty products that cut corners on time instead, and can get you date night gorgeous for Saturday too!

1. Dry Shampoo

First things first – get your hair looking great and everything else falls into place.  There's no such thing as the proverbial bad hair day with Klorane Gentle Dry Shampoo.  Spray the roots only and then give your hair a good brushing.  No fear of looking like you're wearing Martha Washington's powdered wig when you target only the greasy spots at the root line.  Your locks will be full and clean just in time to hand out everyone's lunch at the door before heading to the office. (Klorane is at Sephora, Providence Place.)

2. Tinted Moisturizer

Skip the foundation and use tinted moisturizer instead of  heavy base makeup that requires meticulous blending.  Laura Mercier's Tinted Moisturizer is an award winning formula that smooths fine lines, hydrates, and gives gentle cover.  It's light reflecting and lightweight so no one will guess it was your turn for the 2:00 am feeding again.  (Laura Mercier is at Macy's and Nordstrom, Providence Place.)

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3. Rose Balm

Keep a tin of Smith's Rosebud Salve in your handbag.  This old fashioned balm is excellent for restoring moisture to dry weary hands and nails.  You can do a discreet mini-manicure while watching your child’s soccer game from the bleachers. A quick file down and you’re done. It doubles as a lip gloss!  Score! (Smith's Rosebud Salve is at drugstore.com)

4. Mascara

Almay is famous for its one coat mascaras but their latest will get you fringe in under a minute!  Almay One Coat Triple Mascara gives fuller, longer and curvier lashes with just one application.  That’s three benefits, one product, and more alone time with your favorite dinner date. (Almay is at Ulta Beauty, Warwick.)

5. Razor

Shave some minutes off your routine by using a razor with a built in shaving gel.  No need to lather up first with messy shaving cream when the little ones are storming the bathroom door.  The Schick Intuition Moisture Care Razor lathers and moisturizers and gives you soft and smooth gams just in the nick of time. (Schick Intuition Razors are available statewide.)

6. Highlighter

Now that summer is over and the kids are back in school, vacations come at a premium. Treat your skin to Nars The Multiple, a multi-purpose highlighter stick for eyes, cheeks, lips and body and you can still glow like your jet setting single friends.  This highlighter is sheer but gives great color and replaces blush, brow highlighter, and lipstick.  He won’t complain when the gold infused tones enhance your décolleté while wearing your favorite little black dress either! (Nars The Multiple is at Sephora, Providence Place.)

7. Heel Balm

The best thing to happen to feet this year is Butter London’s Stiletto Stick Hydrating Heel Balm.  Not only is the packaging adorable, it is portable and easy to use.  You simply roll it over your worn out heels, and your best office pumps begin to look comfortable again. Easy peasy. (Butter London is at Nordstrom, Macy’s, and Ulta.)

8. Shampoo/Conditioner Combos

Don’t shudder because the new shampoo/conditioner combo products have improved a lot over the last few years.  When you need that full shampoo, cut time with Garnier Fructis Shampoo/Conditioner for Normal Hair.  The fresh citrus scent and one application will rinse your tresses clean of buildup and give you just the right amount of conditioning. Your morning routine down by one step.  You might even be able to sit down for breakfast before the school bus arrives! (Garnier products are at Target.)

9. Brow Pencil

A real luxury would be an appointment for a waxing or threading but with two toddlers in tow, that’s impossible.  Get the definition your eyes need with Anastasia Brow Wiz, a great pencil with an attached brush to tame strays.  Amazing salon results in under a minute flat.  (Anastasia is at Ulta.)

10. Cleansing Towelettes

You’ve schlepped them all to band practice and ballet class, you made dinner, supervised homework, AND read three bedtime stories.  You just want to drop into bed BUT wait a minute! Tomorrow will be nicer if you take it all off tonight.  Keep Oil of Olay 2 in 1 Daily Facial Cloths nearby to easily remove makeup, oils, and even mascara.  These textured cloths will exfoliate too and leave your skin ready for that 3 year old human alarm clock you live with. (Oil of Olay products are at CVS.)

Donna Macdonald is a freelance writer who enjoys covering topics of interest to women, especially fragrance, style, beauty.  She has also written marketing material for a women's book that hit the New York Times Bestseller list and netted her an up close and personal discussion on the Oprah Winfrey Show.  Donna currently writes her own personal blog, alovelyinconsequence.blogspot.com where she also writes about issues close to a woman's heart  Donna believes that when a woman finds beauty in the world, she will find beauty in herself.

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