REVISED: Essential (and quick) Beauty Tips For New Moms (To Be)

Here it is ladies, my updated version of a new mom beauty routine.

I know it is not too long ago I wrote the original posting, but having discovered several great products since then, and by that having made my routine even better I decided to do a proper update. Not to mention, that focusing on something as seemingly futile as my postpartum beauty routine, helps me to take my mind off actually having to give birth soon! :D

I write all new pieces of text in bold red so to make my updates obvious.

1. Makeup cleansing wipes. These will become your best friends, best to face it already now. Instant cleansing in a few seconds, no need to reach for several products or spend time on washing and toweling off. Just a quick rub each morning and evening (and there are more than enough brands to choose from) and you're ready for the next step: makeup, but first...
2. MOISTURIZING!!! This is very very important I have discovered. Well ok, obviously it is always one of the most basic steps of a decent skin care routine, but during pregnancy and also afterwards, it will be even more important (and not just on the face). What kind of product you use is obviously a matter of personal tastes and needs, but a well moisturized skin always looks plumper, fresher, less tired and has a healthier color. Half success already (and do not forget the sunscreen factor!), not to mention, smearing on a dab of cream really takes no effort or time. Think also about the fact that pharmaceutical ranges of skin care will perform better than supermarket brands, without costing like luxurious department store brands (for the most part). I have recently had great results with Vichy, and my mother in law also introduced me to the EUCERIN AQUAPORIN ACTIVE products which I like even better due to their fantastic texture.
3. At this point, you're ready for that quick makeup that will make all the difference. For day time obviously you need to skip the cream + foundation (unless you just drop two drops of foundation into your moisturizer and make no art of applying it) routine, and go straight to a tinted moisturizer that gives a bit of coverage, evens out skin tone and takes care of your face (if you have a good/preferred one). Alternatively, and this is what I will do, you get yourself "That Gal" from Benefit for lovely fresh skin on the run, with no effort or time investment at all.
4. For a good and quick way to conceal any imperfections and/or dark areas under your eyes I recommend the NEW Sephora Smoothing & Brigthening Concealer. A practical click pen, divinely creamy formula and enough shades to cover all skin tones and needs; not to mention illuminating pigments and hylauronic acid is what you get for a very friendly price tag. Do not miss this one out.
5. Eye shadow, in my opinion, cannot be skipped but it can be made quick and easy to apply and wear as well. And this is the point where I want to give you a preview of a new product soon to come. Very soon I hope! Please see below the image of the brand new Clinique Lid Smoothies!!!! Anti oxidant eye colors that condition and beautify your eyelids with their cream formula and cooling tip applicator (which seems to be somewhat of a trend these days). Can be used alone, or as a base for powder eye colors, but obviously for our needs the practical application, easy cream formula and skin care benefits are the most important and since they all will come in one product, well, JACKPOT is all I can say. These are not released yet, but I cannot wait, and I hope they arrive real soon. I know already they will be real life (well ok, beauty) savers. Another lovely and new option is the Sephora Collection 12 Hour Wear Water (and heat and humidity) proof Jumbo Eye Pencils line. Flawless performance, practicality and a wonderful nude shade (Taupe), for the price of 10,90 EUR. I am hooked on this one, and have nearly finished my first pencil!
6. Eye liner. I went liquid recently. Quicker, more practical, easier to use. No need for recurrent sharpening, no risk of the tip breaking or smearing etc. Not to mention, a quick touch of shimmering liquid liner really can make you look good. I am loving the Sephora Long Lasting Metallic one (also in 'Taupe'), as well as the Stila Sparkle Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner in 'Rock Candy'. Finish off with a touch of mascara, Benefit's "They're Real!" naturally.
7. Now a blusher is again a key tool in making you look healthy and fresh. I am not talking about shading and contouring, I am talking about one quick sweep of a brush and that's it. Pale pinks and peaches make you glow (obviously though you need to take your own skin color into consideration when choosing shades), and in case you can find 2 extra seconds sweep a breath of illuminating product on there are well. Or 'smudge'. I recommend the also new Sephora Colorful Hydrating Powder Blush with a touch of Benefit's "Girl Meets Pearl" underneath. Killer combination I assure you, I have gotten several compliments on this lately. As a perhaps even quicker and more effortless option, I have also developed a new found (and unexpected) love for Stila's lovely Lip & Cheek Stains ('Yumberry Crush' is a great pale pink to immediately wake up your complexion and lips), and some day (soon hopefully) also Benefit's Posietint shall be mine.
8. Lips. Soft and pampered lips are always nicer. But with a small child, forget full blown, heavy lipsticks and glosses! Besides kissing your baby a zillion times a day, your lips are going to be touched a lot too. For this reason, a nice tinted lip balm is the best option. Go with Clinique's new Chubby Sticks. Pretty, practical and pampering. No sharpening needed, and the results are very subtle. But do not despair, because you need not give up lip makeup completely. Applied lightly, the Sephora Ultra Vinyl Lip Pencils leave a touch of color without being sticky or overwhelming, and the color stays put pretty well. Not to mention the practicality of the product actually being in a pencil form. I have 'Gorgeous Peach' and it is a lovely nude, golden peachy pink with which you cannot really go wrong. And for a lipstick... Well I do have one of the new Dior Addict ones on my photo below (was a gift from my mother in law), and it did surprise me a lot. But more about that later ;)
9. Nails. Always short!!! No risk of scratching your baby and is much lower in maintenance as well, not to mention that short nails are easier to keep clean. Try to find a minute or two during baby down time to apply a pale pastel (lower in maintenance, and it is no tragedy in case it happens to chip) or, why not, even some  color to make your hands look impeccable, and brighten your mood even on those very very tired days (and remember to keep a tube of hand cream in every room not to mention ever bag you own!). I recommend these little bottles from Sephora: affordable, great formula (I always have good results, relatively quick drying time and no chipping) not to mention a renewed range of colors. There is simply something in there for all.
10. Hair. Again,  a shorter style is way easier to keep looking presentable without investing a lot of effort, and if you can just keep it clean (meaning find the time for a nice shower) you can always just boost it with a nice colorful hair accessory or two. I plan to get a hair cut next week (am almost 7 months now) and plan to have one more a bit before giving birth. Lucky me though, I already have a shorter, curly style and am used to just get up and go. My hair takes no styling at all, and needs none for that matter. Even on the worst hair days, I just look like I have a deliberate "bed head" style going on :D

Now this might sound a lot, but it really is not. If you look at the picture I took, you see how mini this stash is, and moreover I really do not mean to sit and play around with it. I mean quick swipes and smudges, with virtually no particular tools and brushes needed more than your fingers occasionally (I only use a duo fiber brush for the powder blusher). As a "bonus" I also added my new favorite deodorant: Dove's Beauty Finish. I find it efficient, and I simply adore the scent. It is just so lovely and feminine.

I still owe you many reviews regarding the mentioned products, but they will come around. In the meanwhile, let me just say that I personally am very happy with this selection and how they make me look. Just the way I always wanted...

And then the +2 tips ;)

1. To get quickly back into shape, get yourself a pair of Reetones for those walks in the park! You need to spend no time or effort on workouts, but will get back into shape while about your daily routine ;)
2. For that extra touch of color and glam, ask your husband for a "Unconventional Diamonds" ring! Inexpensive (costs about 60 EUR) cute and glamorous, not to mention unlikely to hurt or scratch your baby. :) In addition, they should look awesome with some of those Sephora polishes! ;)