So the summer holidays are nearly over and there’s not long to go until we’re back in our usual early morning routine. Do you find that there’s never quite enough time to get everything done? However early I get up, I always find myself rushing around like a crazy person while yelling, “Please put your shoes ON!” for the 500th time.
We all know what it’s like trying to get children clean, dressed, fed and out the door in the mornings. In the words of Miranda Priestly, they seem to move “at a glacial pace’. You spend all your time getting the kiddies ready with very little time left for you. Sometimes I barely glance at myself in the mirror before heading out the door.
So, it’s a new school year, let’s set new intentions! If we want to stop waking up looking like something that’s been dragged through a hedge ten times, we need to do what mums do best – be prepared. Maximise the time you do have the night before and make the most of your sleep time. Multi-tasking at its finest.
Here are our top beauty tips for busy mums, to help you wake up looking on point.
Beauty tips for busy mums
Drink plenty of water
This is the ultimate beauty tip of all time (well, along with getting enough sleep of course).
Drink more pure water. Very few of us drink enough. It will hydrate your skin, and your complexion will look clearer and fresher – especially first thing in the morning.
Cleanse well the night before
Yes, we’re all guilty of collapsing into bed without fully removing our make-up. Sometimes it’s the last thing we feel like doing at the end of a busy day but I can’t emphasise how important it is that you do it!
If this is you on a regular basis, try bringing your evening skincare routine forward so that you don’t feel as tired and you’re less likely to skip it.
Use a good quality cleanser, and spend a few minutes making sure you’ve removed all traces of your make-up. Old make-up will clog your pores and cause breakouts. Plus you’ll look like some kind of scary panda when you wake up. Probably not the look you’re going for.
Invest in a decent night cream

If you’re over 30, you need to invest in a good quality night cream. Even if you don’t have any fine lines or wrinkles just yet, prevention is always better than cure.
After cleansing, apply your night cream by gently massaging into your skin in circular motions. And don’t forget your neck!
While you sleep, your night cream will do its thing. When you wake up, your skin will feel softer and will look healthier and more nourished.
Sleep on a silk pillowcase
I’m a big fan of silk pillowcases. I made the switch to a silk pillowcase about a year ago and I won’t go back to cotton. Even our son has one!
Silk is much smoother than cotton so you should find you skin looks less creased in the morning.
Silk also won’t absorb your facial moisturiser like cotton will, so your expensive night cream will stay where you put it, rather than end up on your pillowcase.
Your hair shouldn’t get as knotty, even if you’re a big fidget like I am. It may even feel softer and smoother too. Bonus!
Get your make-up sorted

Do you love how make-up looks on you but find you have no time to apply it properly in the morning?
You could have a consultation with a semi permanent makeup professional to see if it could be a good option for you. Imagine waking up every morning to perfectly applied eyeliner. It’s the dream.
Share your tips
Do you have any more beauty tips for busy mums, to help us all look a little bit better in the morning? Please share them in the comments below.
Disclaimer: In collaboration with Faye McCann