Help me save time in the mornings!

[MissBPotter]

I am now a mum of 3, youngest is 5 weeks and oldest are primary school aged, so I have school runs to do and later on plan to return to work. I don’t have time to put make up on in the mornings, and also I am a little sleep deprived. At 37 I therefore look pretty rough, I feel like my skin had got lots worse recently and I really need make up to look half decent! I am thinking of getting maybe micro bladed eyebrows and something to make my eyelashes look like I’ve got mascara on. I do have dark brown eyebrows and eyelashes but eyebrows could be a bit fuller snd lashes dont curl at all. I’m also really pale and have dark circles but not sure there’s anything I can do about that - maybe those fake tan drops would help? Basically I am a bit clueless with all this and thought I would ask some advice. Help me look like I’ve made some effort in the mornings!! Or should I just stop worrying..?

How about tinting your eyebrows? I do mine about every 9 days, it takes less than 10 minutes and then I don’t touch them for around 6 days and then put the tiniest bit of eyebrow powder on them for the last few days.

How about using a bb cream instead of your moisturiser?

Somebody on here recommended the Pixi Flawless Beauty Primer and I'm so glad I tried it.

It's pricey, so but it's really nice. It's basically glowy stuff that's got a very very light tint. It makes you look very healthy in 10 seconds flat and you only use a big dot, not even a pea size, so it'll last forever.

@Cruiser11 I didn’t think it was worth tinting when they’re already dark brown? They are a tiny bit sparse and need brushed to have a good shape. Would tinting help with that?

For ages I used a bb cream instead of foundation to save money but it still needs to be blended in and I tend to need more moisture and sun protection than they usually offer…

Thanks @ElspethFlashman I will look up the Pixi stuff.

Yes, I have dark brown eyebrows and the tinting seems to fill in the gaps. I look more groomed and feel prettier tinting my eyebrows. I can just add a bit of lip gloss and blusher and feel okish. I’m 52.

Hi OP, I know you said you don't have time for makeup but what about a touch of under eye concealer blended with fingers, bit of mascara, blush and lip balm? It takes me around 3 mins to do the above and makes the world of difference

Hi OP, I know you said you don't have time for makeup but what about a touch of under eye concealer blended with fingers, bit of mascara, blush and lip balm? It takes me around 3 mins to do the above and makes the world of difference

I was about to make a similar suggestion. Sometimes make up is the only answer!

Do what @abiabib123 has suggested! But for me I’d choose compact foundation over concealer. And lay it out the night before in the order it goes on your face for extra speed! Makeup and brushing my teeth only takes me 10 minutes in the morning and definitely makes me feel better.

I also use benefit brow products (very simple)!

A lash lift is a huge time saver for me in the mornings now.. lasts for about 8 weeks.
My eyes water a lot so mascara first thing isn't an option.

My suggestion, from experience..:

Benetint cheek stain
Dab of under eye illuminator (I still use touché eclat)

Then get an eyelash lift and tint (YUMI)

I picked this routine up from beauty and the boutique and it’s my emergency no makeup look (I’m also pale)

1. Heliocare fluid cream - it’s a slightly tinted sunblock that mattifies. No blending needed
2. veil concealer - bit like touché eclat
3. mascara

I also add a dusting of Hourglass Dim Light Powder and that’s quite transformative

B&B no longer sell the Heliocare but Amazon does.

I have also recently been brave enough to try fake tan for my face. I have Tan Lux drops and find that four drops with my moisturiser gives me a lift without an obvious tan.

I get my brows shaped, tinted and laminated and it makes them look great with no effort on a day to day basis. I also get LVL on my eyelashes. Both need to be done every two months or so but in between I feel I need to do very little to my eyes/brows.

Then I use just a bit of fake tan in moisturiser/a BB cream/illuminating primer as per PPs plus a dab of concealer and blush.

I have my eyelashes tinted and permed every 6-8 weeks and brows waxed
Costs about £50 total
I don’t wear make up at all now just occasionally tinted moisturiser/sunscreen and lip balm

Agree with the fake tan drops.

Back in 2019 before Covid, I used them 2 or 3 times a week, and generally with my night cream. I absolutely loved how healthy I looked all the time.

Now since I have to wear a mask all the time at work and all the time in shops, and even when dropping off the kids at school, I don't bother. Nobody really sees my face anymore so there's no point.

Thanks for the ideas everyone. I’ve been looking in to eyelash lifts. So many brow options! Just need to decide if better to opt for something longer lasting or just make a bit more time in the mornings. Also need to consider money as I’m on may leave and have guilt around spending on myself! I managed a little bit today as I had a slightly easier morning.

That should say mat leave, not may leave.

Definitely get an LVL lash lift OP, I only get about one a year but protect my lashes with a special sleep mask so they don’t get squashed down. I also tint them at home myself every fortnight, takes 10 mins.

You don’t mention hair but a Brazilian blow dry/keratin straightening treatment a few times a year saves me tonnes of time in styling, it just falls into place with a quick blow dry. Isle of paradise tan drops are good too.

I also agree with LVL lash lift. Are you BFing? I had an appointment for mine when I was pregnant and they said I'd have to sign a disclaimer in pregnancy/if breastfeeding due to the chemicals in the glue or something. This was as well as the usual patch tests. I decided not to until I'd finished BFing. I also have very straight lashes and it made such a difference - no mascara needed!

I have used the Clarins facial tan drops which I like - just mix in to night moisturiser.

But to be fair, you've got a 5 week old so just getting out the door is amazing!

@FrancesFlute ah yes I am BFing so lash lift might have to wait. Haha yeah leaving the house is a challenge currently! I really like the idea of the fake tan drops. Just overwhelmed with how much I now need to do and how many products there are!

@MancMum2000 yes I forgot about hair. Ugh I am probably a total state, I just give my hair a rough blow dry usually! Luckily it’s quite straight naturally and still in good condition post pregnancy. So I’ve never even considered a Brazilian blow dry but perhaps I should. How do people keep up with all this self maintenance lol I am starting to get a few greys now as well so will have to start colouring too soon, ugh.

[quote MissBPotter]@FrancesFlute ah yes I am BFing so lash lift might have to wait. Haha yeah leaving the house is a challenge currently! I really like the idea of the fake tan drops. Just overwhelmed with how much I now need to do and how many products there are!

@MancMum2000 yes I forgot about hair. Ugh I am probably a total state, I just give my hair a rough blow dry usually! Luckily it’s quite straight naturally and still in good condition post pregnancy. So I’ve never even considered a Brazilian blow dry but perhaps I should. How do people keep up with all this self maintenance lol I am starting to get a few greys now as well so will have to start colouring too soon, ugh.[/quote]
The drops to mix for face tan I have are called 'Clarins Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Booster for Face'. Small bottle and expensive ~£20 but mine has lasted years. I got it from John Lewis.

Lash lift and tint as well as Microblading will make a difference. A tinted moisturiser and cream blush literally take 2 minutes to apply, you could pop on a corrector for your dark circles, chuck it on after you wash and brush your teeth and it will be quicker. If you get a foundation brush for the tinted moisturiser you can quickly buff it in super fast x

I love tan luxe drops, I'm so pale and always feel so much better with a slight glow

Crikey! You have a 5 week old baby and 2 other young children and the best people can do is recommend things to make you look ‘better’ in the mornings.
It makes me so angry that women are seen to be failing somehow if they don’t face the world with make up, and end up feeling crap when they don’t have time.
My advice - your children don’t give a damn about how your eyebrows look, so slap on some sunscreen, brush your hair and greet the world in all your bare faced glory. I bet you’re beautiful! 💕

Aww thanks @Soontobe60. I do agree with you to an extent.
It’s definitely not that important. Suppose it is nice to feel good about myself but not sure I can be bothered/ have time or money for all of it.