A Realistic Glow-Up Guide for Busy Mamas | beauty rhythms and mindset hacks
I know how hectic life can get with little ones running around, work commitments, and trying to keep the house somewhat tidy. It's easy to put ourselves last on the priority list. But let's talk about how dedicating a little time to skin care can start to be your mini escape! This is not about vanity, though; let's be honest: don't we all want to stop looking so frumpy all the time? Giving ourselves time to nourish our skin can become a ritual where we nourish our whole being. And there is something to the "when you look good, you feel good" saying. Taking the time to prioritize yourself can take so many forms, but I want to share with you today how when I started to incorporate and dedicate non-negotiable skin and body care into my routine, just how much it improved other aspects of my wellness as well. ✨
The Morning Boost
A Quick and Effective Routine
The simple routine
Start with a gentle cleanser, followed by a hydrating serum and moisturizer, and remember the sunscreen!
Real-Life Example:: my current routine
I always, always, brush my teeth and mouthwash first thing, I know it sounds crazy, but in those early years of motherhood, sometimes I wouldn’t brush my teeth until after lunch time (umm gross—though also no judgment if you are in that stage of life,clearly I get where you are)! Next, I rinse my face with cold water and spray it with a cooling mist. Next, I apply oil to my face using a face (or ice) roller for 2-5 minutes. After the kids are taken care of, which is usually after school drop-off, I go back and cleanse, tone, apply serum, and moisturize.
This example shows that I have set myself up in mini routines that also will change depending on the season (summer vs. fall will look a little different since the kids are not in school anymore). You don’t have to set yourself up with a half hour morning routine to set yourself up for success during the day. A quick 5-10 minutes can give you more of a boost than you might realize!
Make it Extra
Use your morning routine to create a mindfulness practice!
Use this time to set intentions for the day, turning your routine into a meditative practice. I often put on a 5-minute prayer while setting intentions or saying affirmations for things I want to focus on that day.
Affirmation Examples:
I surrender all heaviness that may show up on this day, knowing God will hold and support me
Today, I choose hope, joy, and peace
I will take the time to appreciate quiet moments throughout the day
Nighttime Nourishment
Your skin repairs at night, so use a nourishing night cream and add a low-tox retinol product to your regimen.
Real-Life Example:: my current routine
Every evening, I like to take a shower or salt bath. After my shower, I always nourish my body with oil and my favorite moisturizer, which has a scent (or add my own essential oil to unscented oil/lotion) that calms my mood for the evening. I take this time to really pay attention to my body. Even when it does not look how you might want it to, use this time to pamper yourself, visualizing how you want your body to look and feel. It will help motivate you to start other practices that can improve our wellness goals.
Make it Extra
Use this time to reflect and unwind.
This is a perfect moment to unwind by yourself. Take 5-10 minutes to nourish your body, reflect on the day, and practice gratitude. You don’t have to write it all out unless you have the time. Just saying things out loud to yourself and saying a short thankful prayer can help calm your mind and get you ready for a *hopefully* restful night of sleep.
Low-Tox Living
Ingredients to Avoid: If you go on social media, you will hear about 500 billion things from different people about what to do and not do with your skin. It can be a lot, and I am not here to lecture you on everything. I do not do everything perfectly, ever, but if you are just getting started with wanting to find low-tox products, start by steering clear of parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances.
MY GO TO BRANDS: that I trust
**more to be added, stay tuned**
Beautycounter
Beautycounter is by far my FAVORITE skincare brand! I love the variety of regimes, and my skin always looks super refreshed each time I use their products. I get the price tag can feel like a lot for some, but try one or two things to get started and see what you think. My recommendations for when you are on a budget but want to see results:
Radiance Serum or Vitamin C Serum
I can recommend many more, but this is an excellent product intro where you will see immediate results!
2024 UPDATE: Beautycounter is currently undergoing a revamp, so these products are a little harder to come by. I have linked everything to Ulta, which should still carry them.
Acure
If you are on a super tight budget, this brand is my ultimate go-to. The products are clean enough, and you see a difference in your skin! You can even get a starter kit with my favorite essentials. You can explore products on Amazon; my favorite line is the Brightening line. I use the face scrub a few times a week and always notice a huge difference in my skin a texture after!
BodyCare
Keep body care simple (also affordable!). My favorite: Coconut Oil! I literally use it every single day, and it keeps my skin super smooth. I use both liquid and regular oil, which you can get from the grocery store, depending on what I am in the mood for that day. I often mix it with my favorite scented moisturizer.
Another oil I love is Honest Body Oil; I will sometimes use this instead of coconut oil.
If you have extra money in your budget and are looking for a firming body oil, I recommend Osea. All of their products are safer if you are looking for lower-tox body and skincare products!
Other things like giving yourself a lymphatic massage or using a roller on your legs, feet, and arms are great ways to nourish yourself. It also really does make you feel way more connected to your body and appreciate all it has done…like carrying those little humans around.
Self-care can be Transformational—if you let it
Every minute you spend on your skin is an act of self-love. Yes, I know, I know, it sounds super cheesy, but it is true!
At a time, I found I was purposely ignoring moisturizing and caring for my body's skin (not face, just body) when I was unhappy with my size. Again, not vanity, but also some; I missed my pre-kid body when I was thin and strong with muscles. I was depressed looking at the markings and the way I had gained weight after intense burnout and thyroid issues. But here is the thing: when I started to care for myself, even if my body did not look the way I wanted it to at that moment, it motivated me A LOT to care for myself more and take proactive steps to get back to what I wanted. The point is don't wait. If you can't afford the products you wish to use or you aren't the size you want, and even looking at yourself makes you uncomfortable, start to take time to get comfortable with where you are and what you have.
Extra Inspiration
BE PATIENT // Start small and stay consistent. I can promise you, your future self will thank you!!
DIY: have an at-home spa moment
You don't need to go out and spend a ridiculous amount of money on skincare products! Yes, of course, it is nice to splurge every now and then! But, as I mentioned above, a big tub of coconut oil seriously does the trick for so many things! Try this favorite DIY Body Scrub recipe next time you jump in the shower!
Invigorating Coffee Body Scrub
Ingredients:
1 cup coarsely ground coffee beans (fresh is best for the most antioxidants)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup coconut oil, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional for scent)
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional for extra anti-inflammatory properties)
Instructions:
Combine the coarsely ground coffee beans and brown sugar in a bowl. The coffee helps to exfoliate and stimulate the skin, while the sugar provides a gentle abrasive texture.
Pour the melted coconut oil over the coffee and sugar mixture. Coconut oil hydrates and nourishes the skin, leaving it feeling soft and smooth.
If using, stir in the vanilla extract and cinnamon. Vanilla adds a comforting scent and antioxidant properties, while cinnamon can boost circulation and has natural antibacterial properties.
Mix all the ingredients together until you get a consistent, gritty paste. Ensure the mixture is well combined so the oil doesn't separate.
Transfer your scrub to an airtight container. A jar with a lid works well to keep the scrub fresh and prevent it from drying out.
During your shower, apply the coffee scrub to your body in circular motions, concentrating on areas with rough skin or cellulite. The massaging action and the caffeine from the coffee can help improve circulation and reduce the appearance of cellulite.
Rinse thoroughly with warm water. The coffee can make your shower floor slippery, so take care when using and cleaning up.
Tips:
✧ Use this scrub at most once or twice a week to avoid over-exfoliation.
✧ If you have sensitive skin, test the scrub on a small area first to ensure it doesn't cause irritation.
✧ Since coffee can be invigorating, this scrub is best used in the morning or when you need a boost.
And I wouldn't be me if I didn't also share a Glow Up Juice Recipe:
Because, let's be honest, the best skincare routine really begins with our nutrition! I love to sip on my green juice after I do my gua sha morning routine. It is like a mini-spa experience each morning if you can consider your spa experience one where you are also chasing down your twin boys to remember to put on socks before they head off to school!
Detoxifying Green Juice Recipe
Ingredients:
2 cups kale leaves, stems removed
1 large cucumber, roughly chopped
1 green apple, cored and sliced
Juice of 1 lemon
1-inch piece of ginger, peeled
Instructions:
Wash all the fresh produce thoroughly. Peel the lemon if you prefer a less bitter taste. A small piece goes a long way for the ginger, so peel and use about an inch.
f you have a juicer, start by juicing the kale leaves, followed by the cucumber, apple, and ginger. Juicers work best with hard or fibrous ingredients first, followed by softer ones.
Stir in the lemon juice after juicing the other ingredients. Lemon not only adds a vibrant tanginess but also boosts the detoxifying properties of your juice.
Once all the ingredients have been juiced and combined, stir the mixture thoroughly to ensure that the flavors meld together.
Pour the green juice over ice (if desired) and enjoy immediately to reap the most benefits from the nutrients, especially the enzymes and vitamins.
Tips:
✧ If you don't own a juicer, you can blend all the ingredients in a high-powered blender with a bit of water (plain or coconut) or 100% pure juice to help it process. Then, strain the juice through a fine sieve to separate the juice from the pulp.
✧ Feel free to play around with the quantity of each ingredient and adjust it according to your taste preference. Add more apple for sweetness, more lemon for tartness, or more ginger for a spicy kick.
✧ Drink this juice in the morning, on an empty stomach, to maximize its detoxifying effects.
TO SUMMARIZE (incase you scrolled through)
Embracing a skincare routine isn't just about enhancing your outer beauty; it's a profound way to nourish your inner self, especially for the ever-busy mama. Mindful body care routines, like the morning and nighttime rituals we discussed, offer a structured yet flexible way to dedicate time to yourself amidst the insane demands of motherhood. Each ingredient in our DIY recipes, from the calming, uplifting coffee grounds in the body scrub to the detoxifying kale in the green juice, is chosen to support and nourish both your skin's health and your overall well-being.
Adopting these practices can lead to a significant mother glow-up, transforming how you feel inside and out. *Remember*: the goal of all of this is to create moments of sanity and self-love that resonate beyond the bathroom mirror. When we are caring for ourselves, we get a boost mentally and center our energy on loving and caring for those we cherish most.
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