Back to school time is here which also means the rush of the morning drop-off. If hectic morning schedules leave you with little time to feel presentable, check out these tips and you’ll be dazzling at drop off in no time!
Prep the night before
Prep a small makeup organizer (or even a zip top bag!) with your morning beauty essentials. Keep these ready in the bathroom or on your vanity table. One of the major issues with putting on makeup or doing your hair is having everything at your fingertips and ready to go, so there is no searching for what you need. Try a makeup organizer such as these acrylic cosmetic organizers from The Container Store ($13-$20, thecontainerstore.com).
After you prep for your beauty products, lay out your outfit for the next day. One easy way is to have a hanging valet that can keep your outfit for you, such as the Coaster Modern Valet Stand Chrome Rack ($65, sears.com). While these are usually reserved for men’s suits, there is no reason Mom can’t benefit as well!
Multitask your makeup
With limited time in the morning, your best bets are products that have more than one function. Some products to keep in your kit are a tinted moisturizer or one of the new multi-tasking BB creams, such as Dr. Jart Renewalist BB Beauty Balm ($36, sephora.com). In addition to having an SPF of 40, this power cream has skin care ingredients and oils to brighten and moisturize your skin, so you are treating, protecting and covering your skin at the same time.
Follow with a light diffusing concealer (to hide any tired, dark circles). One to try is NYX Cosmetics High Definition Photo Concealer Wand (about $6 ulta.com). This lightweight concealer will mask tired eyes and is creamy enough to reapply throughout the day.
Eyebrows and lashes are your next priority, so your kit should include a dual ended eyebrow pencil, one end with a spooly brush and one end with the pencil, such as Anastasia Perfect Brow Pencil ($22, sephora.com). Follow with a mascara that curls your lashes as you apply it, such as NYC City Curl Curling Mascara ($3, drugstore.com). Finish your look with a tinted lip balm with SPF such as Neutrogena Revitalizing Lip Balm SPF 20 ($9, drugstore.com), so lips are luscious, moist and protected.
Easy hair
Now that your makeup is done, quickly style your hair. Keep on hand any products you might need such as hairspray, dry shampoo, hair bands and shine serum. If your hair looks oily, be sure to spray or sprinkle a dry shampoo to perk it up and add volume.
Luckily for stylish moms, the hair trends on the fall 2012 runways include ideal get-out-the-door-fast looks such as sleek ponytails and low volume hair. For a sleek ponytail, start with a dab of shine serum, and comb through hair. Next, part hair to your favorite side (even a deep side part) and pull hair back at the bottom of your neck. Finish by securing the ponytail low with hair bands such as Marc by Marc Jacobs Classic Mark Cluster ($32, zappos.com) and you are ready to go.
Another fall 2012 beauty trend that is great for moms on the go is a fab hair accessory such as an embellished hair pin, clip or ponytail holder. Try a style such as the Jane Tran Bobby Pin Butterfly Set in fuschia ($22, zappos.com) and you now look like you took two hours, not two minutes, to get ready!
Glam your sunglasses
This is one of the sure fire instant ways to feel pretty in the morning. While oversize, dark Jackie-O type glasses are perfect for moms, a pair of glamorous, embellished sunglasses will make you feel even more special. Try a pair such as Coach Reagan Sunglasses ($168, macys.com), which combine crystals with tortoise shell rims.
Makeup as soon as you wake up
As soon as you jump out of bed in the morning and head to the bathroom, make it a habit to do your hair and makeup right then and there — because it might be your only chance. If you feel like you want more time to get ready, it might also mean waking up 15 minutes earlier each day. Also, before the school year starts, do a couple of trial makeup and hair days, to time yourself and understand what you can accomplish in two, five or 10 minutes.
Keep a kit in your car
One final tip is to have a case in your car that contains duplicates of your morning beauty products, so that you always have them with you. Find a travel case that is durable and contains a mirror, such as the Caboodles On-the-Go Swag ($14, target.com). Along with the beauty products, keep on hand cotton swabs, makeup removing wipes, deodorant, sunscreen and breath mints so you can always be fresh and pretty.
More beauty for moms
Back to school shopping tips for moms
Back to school makeup 101: Lips
Best beauty products for moms
More Stories from Living
Leave a Comment