Mommy Beauty, an updated routine

I've been back at work now for two weeks and that means I've had to get up and look presentable at 6:30 am every morning.  I don't need to be glamorous for my job but I do need to look neat and put together. However, I also have to get my daughter ready for daycare, my pump bag ready for work, pack my lunch, make a breakfast - its much more work than before baby.  I've cut down my routine dramatically - I do try to pack as much of my meal as I can the night before and I try to shower / blow dry my hair at night to help save time.

A few makeup items have really helped me

This routine takes 6-7 minutes.  Tarte BB cream is awesome, it blurs any redness and brightens my face.  It also works as a mattifier, though I usually have to use face lotion underneath it.  Benefit Boi-ing concealer is the best at hiding my undereye circles and I tend to use Tarte bronzer all over my face and neck...because I'm paper white and need a bit of color.  Bobbi Brown Pale Pink blush and Bobbi Brown Sandwashed Pink add color...and since I have limited mommy room in my diaper bag, this lipstick and one chapstick are the only two beauty products that made the cut. I don't always have time for eyeshadow but usually I reach for foolproof neutral colors like Bootycall and Foxy from the Naked 2 palette. I have to do my brows with Anastasia brow powder and a swipe of Tarte mascara finishes the look.  It's quick, it's easy, and I don't even have to think about it.

Now for hair.  I just don't have time to fix it every day.  A ponytail, a top knot, or a bun are my choices.  I can leave it with natural curl but I will need a cut soon to get it layered.  I don't care to put the effort in to curl it everyday...especially with NC humidity fighting my hard work.  I'm due for a trim and color in the upcoming weeks and I'm seriously thinking about getting a mommy chop.  Isn't it a terrible idea to get a haircut after a big life event...like, giving birth?  I have such a hard time making decisions like this, I've had too many "bad" haircuts in my life.  Oh and this week my hair has started falling out, I was warned it would happen but it is alarming when you see clumps of hair fall out.  It is actually a good thing for me though, my hair is so thick right now that I have difficulty styling it.  Anyway, I've pinned some hair inspiration for a possibly mom cut...

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via Google images

I'll be making a decision in the next two weeks.

Current Face Routine

current face routine by carolinabelle84 featuring a murad face wash

Ole Henriksen anti aging skincare / Bobbi Brown Cosmetics cream skin care / Philosophy face peel mask, $94 / Murad face wash, $54 / Murad face wash / Fresh lip treatment / ORIGINS Clear Improvement active charcoal mask 50ml, $16

I've broken out quite a bit over the past couple of months and I'm just now getting back some control over my skin.  I wanted to list the key players that are keeping my acne at bay.

Neutrogena Acne Stress Control Foaming Facewash.  I use this at night and I think it does a surprisingly good job of cleaning off my makeup.  I'm not attached to it and I'm willing to try other products but it's been reliable and I'll likely come back to it from time to time.

Fresh Sugar lip balm.  It's amazing, I use it every night after I brush my teeth and it moisturizes my lips over night so my lip product goes on smoothly in the morning.

Philosophy Microdelivery Peel.  I use this ever Sunday night and I scrub for a solid minute with each product.  I will never be without this product!  My skin not only looks better but feels so much better after I use it.  It's really helping with a few lingering sun spots.

Ole Henriksen Three Little Wonders.  I've used this for over two years and it's great.  I use both the gel and the cream at night and the serum in the am.

Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask.  I use this on Wednesday nights and it helps to remove any lingering gunk.  It's pretty fantastic and my skin feels great after I use it.  I think it helps with redness too.

Bobbi Brown Eye Repair.  Nothing super fancy about it, the cream is rich and it hydrates the skin around my eyes so my concealer goes on smoothly.  Its not cheap but it lasts a long time.

Murad AHA and BHA Exfoliating Cleanser.  I use this in the am before the acne cleanser.  The scrub is very gentle and I feel that it makes the acne step in my morning routine more effective.

Murad Acne Clarifying Cleanser.  Ah, my favorite part of my morning getting ready routine.  It smells like tea tree oil and is refreshing.  I love the tingle.

There it is....it may seem like a lot of products but I have sensitive, combination, acne prone skin and during cold weather months add lovely dry patches to the list.  It's a challenge finding a routine that fits all of my requirements and for now, this is doing the trick.