Beauty Routines For Busy Mums

By Isabella Schimid Published Nov 08 2017

I think we can all agree that maintaining a good skincare routine can be very hard as a busy mum (read: near impossible)...

Want to know what I use? I’ve included my tips and tricks below and also spoke to two other mums-on-run about what makes them glow-on-the-go. Editor: Isabella Schimid | Image: @trentinireal

Isabella Schimid, The Grace Tales & GRACE Magazine Beauty Editor, Hair & Makeup artist

Here are my three steps to get you going in the morning...

1. Cleanse your skin in the shower

This will save time and also prep your skin for the day ahead. I like to use a cloth to help remove the cleanser and also give a good thorough clean. Dermalogica’s The Sponge Cloth is soft and super easy to use and you can leave it hanging in the shower for next time. Note: I actually use it without cleanser if I am in a rush. Also the new Dermalogica precleanse balm and mitt is a water-activated formula that transforms from a balm to an oil to remove makeup and give a good deep cleanse.

2. Apply an eye cream that is hydrating and brings life back into those tired eyes

I love Cosmedix Opti Crystal Liquid Crystal Eye Serum or Crème de la Mer The Lifting Eye Serum.

3. Use a moisturiser with an SPF factor or a tinted moisturiser

This way you’re skipping another product and saving time. Go for Perricone MD No Foundation Foundation Serum or IT cosmetics CC Cream.

Here are 3 busy professional mums best beauty tips and favourite go-to products...

Summer Keipert, Director Of My Au Pair & Nannies Australia, Sydney, Mother Of 3

Go to www.myaupair.com.au

What's in your makeup bag?

TOO FACED Primed & Poreless Skin Smoothing Face Primer. MAC Studio Fix Fluid SPF foundation. MAC Powder Blush. MAC Studio Finish concealer. White eyeliner. Josie Maran Cosmetics Argan Infinity Lip and Cheek Creamy Oil Duo. Tweezers Hair elastics – I can never get enough especially with my girls’ HUGE hair. Better Than Sex Mascara by Too Faced. MAC Pigment in a bronze for night shadow.

What is your favourite skincare line or product?

La Mer The Powder. It’s amazing for finishing makeup and has a slight shimmer and fresh feel to it like other powders don’t have. I have had the same pot for over five years. I love Ultraceuticals skincare and knowing it’s animal cruelty-free to me is imperative. I also love Argan Infinity Lip and Cheek Creamy Oil Duo by Josie Maran Cosmetics.

What is your favourite hair product?

Dry Shampoo for those ‘I just gotta get out the door and make the school drop-off days’. I love Dry Shampoo Tropical by Batiste.

What makeup product or tool can't you live without?

Josie Maran Cosmetics Argan Infinity Lip and Cheek Creamy Oil; my Natio Pressed Powder Bronzer in Sunswept; and Parlux Advance Light Ionic & Ceramic hair dryer – it gets the job done well and FAST.

What's your best beauty tip for the busy mum?

Tinted moisturiser is great for those race out the door moments. Clear Eyes for red eyes on the run with white eyeliner on the inside of the lower lid to help freshen and open the eyes. Vitamin D on the skin within moderation. Try to get to a salon for a great facial once a month. Drink at least two litres of water a day and try to get to bed early at least three nights a week. Take off your make up each night and try to cleanse/tone/moisturise every morning and night.

Desiree Jabbour, Speech Therapist & Mother Of 3

What’s in your makeup bag?

Over the years, I have minimised the contents of my make up bag. I try to keep it to a minimum and rely on a small range of essentials. My makeup bag lives in the middle console of my car, usually hidden under wiggles CDs and emergency dummies. You’ll find: Chantecaille Primer. Chantecaille Just Skin Tinted Moisturizer SPF15. Chantecaille Radiance Gel Bronzer. BY TERRY Mascara Terrybly Eyelash curler (brand unknown but probably purchased from a supermarket) Pair of Slant tweezers by Sephora (bought in 2012 when I was last in NYC). Chantecaille Full Brow Perfecting Gel. Pinky-Nudey Lips! by Go-To Skin care. Touche Éclat Radiant Touch by Yves Saint Laurent (for bags under the eyes). Nivea lip balm (for the kids on windy days). I also have an emergency stockpile of band-aids and Medipulv Antiseptic Powder for park visits with the kids.

What is your favourite skincare line or product?

I have to admit that to say that I have been lax with my skin care routine would be an absolute understatement. For 33 years, I had been banking on genetics and my European skin to pull me through. But, after 6 ½ years of sleepless nights and three kids later, it just didn’t cut it anymore. My skin was looking and feeling tired, aged and dehydrated. It wasn’t until after the birth of my third child that a very good friend suggested (forced me) to try Zoe Foster Blake’s Go-To Skin care range. I’ve been converted and the rest is history. Each morning and night I use: Properly Clean cleanser, Exfoliating swipeys (individual facial wipes), Face Hero (facial oil) and Very Useful Face Cream (daily moisturiser).

What is your favourite hair product?

Late at night when all three cherubs are asleep, I love to indulge in a hot (uninterrupted) shower and apply a hair mask. Kerastase’s Nutritive Nutri-Thermique takes about five minutes and leaves my hair feeling smoother and fuzz-free. And who doesn’t love a microfiber hair towel? Available for about $7 from Kmart.

What makeup product or tool can you not live without?

I love my Chantecaille brow perfecting gel. After using a brow brush to tame, tidy and groom my brows, I apply the gel to set the shape and keep all of those strays in place.