Time Saving Beauty Hacks for Mums (And Busy Women In General)

For me, having babies was a massive priority shift. The hours that I used to spend getting facials (all in the name of research I would argue!) just can’t be justified when Max is begging me to build Lego with him, or Lulu is threatening to take her first steps (God help me if I miss getting that on film!). These days, I’m so into multi tasking that I don’t really feel like I’m functioning properly unless I’m doing two things at once. And with beauty, it’s even more so. Unless a product saves me time or does two things at once, it generally won’t earn a place on my bathroom shelf. Here are my six best corner-cutting beauty hacks along with the products that help me daily.

1. INVEST IN LASH EXTENSIONS = SAVE TIME ON YOUR MAKEUP

I know I rabbit on about these often, but they seriously are game-changing when it comes to time-saving. Yes – they are expensive – but I think if you’re going to have a beauty addiction, then this is the one to have. Not only do they make you look prettier, they save time every day in putting eye makeup on and taking it off, plus you feel groomed 24/7. I go to Love Those Lashes in Paddington every two or three weeks for infills and I barely have to wear mascara these days. Which saves a bunch of time. Keep them in check between times with Amy Jean Faux Lash Mascara and Artemes False Lashes – singles. To remove, don’t use oily eye makeup remover, but gently dissolve with Bioderma Sensibio.

2. USE YOUR BATH AND SHOWER TO DO LOADS OF BEAUTY STUFF

You’re in there anyway, you may as well get busy. If I’m lucky enough to get the shower or bath to myself, here’s what I’ll do: Shower? I’ll lather up my shampoo (Moo Goo Milk Shampoo is super gentle on my sensitive scalp) and while it’s working, I’ll wash everywhere else (choose an uplifting body wash like Ren Moroccan Rose or This Works Wake Me Up). Then rinse out shampoo then apply conditioner (I love Wendy Iles Formula as it works as a defrizzing treatment too). While it’s working, I’ll scrub off my old fake tan using my tan removal mitt, shave my legs or apply a hydrating mask. Bath? I up the relax-factor with a generous glug of L’Occitane Lavender Foaming Bath and then do a mini facial using Dermalogica Thermafoliant. Time permitting, I’ll also do a hair mask, buff my feet, trim my nails and shave my legs. To really up the relax-factor, I’ll sip herbal tea – T2 Beauty Queen is my new favourite – while I’m doing all of the above.

3. SAVE TRIPS TO THE SALON, USE MOBILE BEAUTY SERVICES

There’s nothing better than in-home beauty services, particularly with things like spray tans and massages when you can swan around semi-naked or crawl into bed straight after. For busy mums with fussy babies who need to stay in their routine, it’s an absolute life line. To find one, Google “Mobile” and then whatever beauty service you’re searching for or ask your friends. Stacey McPherson, who worked on J Bronze with Jen Hawkins, comes to my place to do my sprays and Joanna from Still Beauty comes up from Melbourne occasionally and gives the most wonderful massages. For nails I recommend Purely Polished – it’s always a really good service and luxurious – from the soak they use to the hand cream – it’s top notch. You can also order makeup, hair and other services on demand like Uber via the Lux-It app.