Hey there, moms. We’re going to need to calibrate the room before we continue. If you have a morning skin care routine, a nighttime skin care routine, and have ever contoured your face, this is not the blog post for you.
Okay, now that it’s just us regular moms left — welcome! I am not a beauty blogger. I’m just a regular mom who haphazardly buys products off the shelf at Target based on what was on sale that day. I have three kids and consider it a win if I shower every day. I can’t do the daily beauty routine; I’m just not doing it. I don’t have time for a 20-step makeup application, and I don’t have extra space in my budget for eyelash extensions.
But I do really enjoy playing with beauty products. My favorite gift is an Ulta gift card. Over the years, I’ve experimented with a variety of products, including makeup, hair care, and skin care. Ultimately, I don’t stick with a product if it a)takes too much time or b)costs too much money.
Over time, I have really narrowed down which products give me the most bang for my buck. I like products that make a noticeable impact without a ton of effort and won’t reverse progress if I miss a few days.
If elaborate beauty routines are not your jam, here are some products you might be interested in.
(I should add that I do not sell anything. I don’t have affiliate links or make money in any way. I’m just a regular mom sharing some beauty hacks.)
An Eyelash Curler
Such a timeless beauty hack, yet I rarely see people mention eyelash curlers these days. You can make even the cheapest mascara look good if you curl your eyelashes first. Even on no-makeup days, a quick curl with this baby can give the appearance that you are wearing mascara. This is the one I use, but I’m fairly certain any brand would be fine. Really hard to go wrong here.
Eyelash Serum
Speaking of eyelashes, here’s a hack that takes eight seconds before you go to bed at night. If you have short or very light eyelashes like me, an eyelash serum helps thicken and lengthen eyelashes so that eventually, your eyelashes are visible enough you don’t feel like you need mascara. That’s a hack worth the daily investment! I use this RapidLash brand but there are many options available.
Micro-dermabrasion Exfoliator
This was a Target impulse purchase, but I have now intentionally purchased it several times. It is an exfoliator for your face that is supposed to brighten your skin and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. I can testify that it works. My skin is so much brighter since I started using this, reducing my need for full-coverage makeup. The instructions say to use it twice a week, so I keep it in the shower and use it when I remember. My skin is very sensitive, and it does not irritate it. You can get it in 4 hours with curbside pickup.
Self-tanner
This is not exactly a secret, but I always forget how easy self-tanners are and how long they last. It’s really worth the 15 minutes to apply. There are lots of opinions out there because different tanners look and absorb differently in different skin types, so I can’t recommend exactly what will work for you. I can recommend you get the mitt. Target has a tanning mitt you can buy alone or there are several self-tanners that come with mitts. I like this self-tanner from Ulta because it dries quickly, comes with a mitt, and is eligible for the Ulta coupon!
Under Eye Concealer
Chronic sleep deprivation does a number, doesn’t it? My skin was finally looking bright, thanks to the micro-dermabrasion exfoliator, but my under eye area was still pretty dark. Through trial and error, I found a few under eye concealers that can be worn without foundation or any additional makeup. Bye Bye Under Eye from It Cosmetics is the best, but this Maybelline dark circle concealer is less than $10 and just as good. If you’ve only got 30 seconds to put makeup on, go for under eye concealer.
