Caring for a baby is full-on, but grabbing some precious ‘me-time’ will make you a more chilled-out mama
It can feel impossible to find five minutes for a shower when life’s a blur of night feeds and nappies. But if you’re feeling in need of some quick beauty fixes, we’re here to help you maximise those precious moments when baby’s asleep.
Say hello to our nap-friendly pampering tips for busy mums.
The new-mum manicure
Taking care of your nails doesn’t have to stop now that baby’s here. Just a few minutes of TLC while your tot’s snoozing is all you need.
Attempting a salon-style manicure with a base coat, top coat and two coats of polish might be a bit much – and you’ll feel annoyed when it chips and you have no time to take it off. Instead, try our no-fuss mum manicure.
Keep an emery board by the kettle, so while you’re making a cuppa you can squeeze in a bit of filing when your nails need it. Short, ‘squ-oval’ nails (a flattering half-way house between square and oval nails) are less likely to catch on baby blankets – plus having neat nails will make you feel pulled together.
Our other top tip for a no-maintenance manicure? Rubbing nail oil into cuticles every day, followed by a nourishing hand cream. You won’t have to wait for nail polish to dry – less than ideal if baby needs attention – but your nails will look glossy with minimal effort.
There’s no reason to ditch all your beloved beauty rituals now you have a little one in tow. If you were a face mask fan before your pregnancy you don’t need to wait until the evening, when you’ll likely be too tired, to get your fix.
Instead, once a week, save time by using your cleanser in the shower, then smooth on a cream mask before you do the morning feed. Rinse it off later and pat skin dry for an easy glow.
We also swear by no-mess sheet masks. Keep a stash in your lounge and you can just rip one open and smooth on for a quick pampering fix after baby’s bedtime.
While it can feel out of the question to give yourself a bouncy blow-dry (we all know that dry shampoo is a new-mum’s BFF) you can still style your hair in minutes.
When you want to feel put together but are short on time, after washing and conditioning, towel dry hair, spritz in a leave-in conditioner then tie hair into two loose buns at the nape of your neck. Allow to dry as you go about your morning and then release to reveal soft, no-style waves.
Dry, frizzy hair? After washing, comb through a deep conditioning hair mask and pop on a shower cap. The heat will help activate those nourishing ingredients for the ultimate at-home moisturising treatment. Rinse out when baby goes for their afternoon nap, comb through, and leave to air dry for glossy, healthy-looking locks.
When there’s little time for a full-on fake tan session but you feel at your best with a bit of a glow, we’ve got a simple solution for you: switch your body butter for a tanning body lotion.
Not only are you combining two beauty steps – moisturising and tanning – to save you precious time, there’s also something powerful about signalling to your brain ‘I care about me’ when you take a few minutes to massage moisturiser in every morning.
A full-face of makeup is out of the question when you have one minute max to get ready in the mornings. Instead, pick smart beauty products that do double duty.
For a quick fix, try a tinted moisturiser with added SPF. Not only will it give you a glow that’ll make you feel good all day, but you’re also getting hydration and sun protection in a matter of seconds.
A curling mascara will lengthen and shape lashes without the need for eyelash curlers, and a cream lip and cheek tint that can be applied with fingertips will give you a healthy flush of colour (and hide the fact you’ve been woken up in the early hours).
Creating your own weekly rituals at home can help you reclaim your time and space. Try making one night a week your designated pamper night and transform your bathroom into a spa-at-home haven while your baby sleeps.
Signal to yourself that you matter by soaking in the tub as you savour your favourite magazine or that new book you bought but haven’t got around to reading. Candles, aromatherapy oils and a body scrub are all inexpensive but will help you relax – especially if you usually only have time to shower.
Things might look a little different now, but by picking the right products and creating your own relaxing rituals, you can look good – and feel even better.
