Being a mom is more than a full-time job. It’s a 24/7 job that requires patience, energy and the stamina of an Olympic athlete. Of course it’s worth the effort but that doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy. It’s hard enough to find time to eat let alone get ready in the morning, so what’s a style-conscious mom to do? We’ve put together a list of some of the best and easiest ways to put fashion first even on your busiest, most chaotic days.
Minimize your morning routine
Put down the bottle of foundation. You may be tempted to try and put on a full face of makeup, but why waste all that time? Rather than go totally au natural, you can easily even out your skin tone with tinted moisturizer, which goes on in seconds and leaves skin with a healthy glow. We love Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer ($42) for the subtle, all over coverage it provides. Next, add concealer only where you need it (around your nose, under eyes) add a swipe of mascara and some lip gloss and you’re ready to face the day in under five minutes.
Highlight your best features
Lucky enough to have luscious lips? Bring on the red lipstick, a trick Gwen Stefani uses to draw attention to her perfect pout. Got great curves? Take a cue from Christina Aguilera or Salma Hayek and rock a wrap dress that hugs your best assets. The trick for busy moms who still want to look great is to focus on shining the spotlight on one or two fabulous features, rather than trying to fix or minimize flaws, which can feel like a never ending battle. By highlighting your best parts, you’ll save time and energy while managing to look and feel fabulous.
Invest in great staples
Moms end up spending a lot time in the basics – jeans, T-shirts and other comfortable, easy-wearing pieces great for chasing kids around a playground or wrestling tiny tots into high chairs and car seats. But just because it’s basic doesn’t mean it has to be lacking in the style department. Spend the extra money and get a really good pair of jeans that flatter your body shape and look great with everything from tank tops to blazers. You’ll never see Victoria Beckham in an ill-fitting pair of pants; the same goes for Reese Witherspoon and Kourtney Kardashian – all busy moms who know the importance of well-fitting denim. Spending more on what you wear every day will save you time (it’s easier to build an outfit around something that fits well) and you won’t be replacing things that end up falling apart within a few washes.
Choose style and comfort
It can be so easy to fall into a style rut, especially when you’re a mom and the time and effort you used to put into getting ready now goes to your kids. But rather than falling into the trap of comfort over style, think about opting for outfits that provide both. For example, leggings are an easy option but what you pair them with can either look great or be a huge style miss. Instead of grabbing a hoodie and your flip flops, try a belted tunic (a look Naomi Watts often opts for) and ballerina flats. Same leggings – two totally different outfits that can either make you look polished and put together or like you haven’t slept in days. We understand that you probably haven’t slept in days – we just figure you might not want to look like that’s the case.
Keep it simple
You often don’t see Angelina Jolie in anything but basic black – but she always manages to look chic despite being a mom to six adorable little ones. Katie Holmes and Jennifer Garner also keep their daytime looks simple without looking messy. This is a great strategy to keep in mind as you try to balance changing diapers with figuring out what to wear. Keeping your look simple – from makeup to clothes to accessories – will save you time and headaches. Stylish basics go a long way when it comes to looking effortlessly chic because let’s face it, you no longer have time to stare endlessly into your closet waiting for inspiration to hit. That’s a thing of the past!
Add great accessories
Having a really great bag, some sexy shades and several pairs of to-die-for-shoes can really take a basic outfit up several notches. Nicole Richie is often seen in jeans as she totes little Harlow and Sparrow around, but chances are, she’s also rocking some great statement jewelry (maybe a cuff or a really funky necklace) and her choice of bag (even if it’s overflowing with kids’ stuff) is always on-trend and complements her choice of outfit. Jeans and a white T-shirt become a chic weekend look when paired with the right shoes and accessories. They don’t have to break the bank, but they do have to make a statement and be well made.
Photo credits: Nicole Richie – WENN.com, Reese Witherspoon – STS/WENN.com, Gwen Stefani – WENN.com
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