Beauty Corner: Hair and Makeup Tricks For the Busy Mom!

It’s no secret that the life of a mom is a busy one! Most often our day starts at the break of dawn and doesn’t stop until our heads hit the pillow. Our hair and makeup has to last us all through work and on some days has to last until an evening work event or cocktails. I did this look on one of my model friends who was appearing on Canada AM and eTalk last week. Her hair and makeup had to last through a morning shift of work and be camera-ready hours later. It’s a natural but polished look that doesn’t require the skills of a pro! Skin:

• A primer is essential for long-lasting makeup. It not only creates a smooth canvas, but keeps your makeup from slipping and sliding throughout the day. Primers also have optical diffusers that help smooth out the appearance of fine lines, large pores, and wrinkles. As a result, you end up using less makeup and spend less time on your face.
• If you’re in a hurry concealer works wonders. The most important area to conceal are the eyelids, under eyes, around the nose and any discolouration or blemish on your skin. Use a light dusting of translucent powder to set the concealer.
• Bronzer and blush instantly wake up pale tired skin. Use a large fluffy powder brush and dust bronzer on the forehead, cheeks, nose and chin. Add a peachy or pink blush to the apples of the cheek. I like to layer cream and powder blushes together to make the colour punchier and so that it lasts.

Eyes:

• Believe it or not a smokey eye can be the quickest way to “dress” up the eyes. On my model, I used a smudge-proof, water-resistant gel based eyeshadow that can double as a liner. These shadows won’t budge all day. Stick to neutral shades like a warm bronze. Apply from lash line to crease using a brush, Q-Tip, or your ring finger (adds the least pressure). Start with a little amount and build until you reach your desired intensity. Avoid the “punched-in-the-eye” effect by blending back and forth. Optional but you can add depth to the outer crease with a matte dark brown and blend.
• If you know you’ll be out until the evening, use a mascara that won’t smudge or run. My mascara of choice is a water-proof formula and the blacker the better! Add 2 coats to really make the eyes stand out. Clump-free of course!
• I love using a highlighter to brighten the eye. Apply a shimmery champagne-gold or shell-pink to the brow bone and the inner corners of the eyes top and bottom.
• Carry a black water-proof pencil liner and a little set of q-tips with you to make the eyes more dramatic for evening. Just swipe across the top and bottom (your choice) and smudge with the q-tip. For even more drama, line the waterline.

Lips:

• For day, stick to peachy or rosy-pink tones and carry a deeper lippie for the evening. Bronze on the eyes is a neutral shade so you can wear anything on the lips. On the model, I used a peachy-pink lipstick with a bronze-peach gloss over top.

Hair:

• Buns and up-do’s are back in full-force! From chignons, to french twists, to a simple side bun they look polished and are functional. They are also really quick to do!
• On the model, I had to give her a style that would be work appropriate but then be camera-ready hours later. She needed a style that required minimal touch-ups. I decided to give her volume, curl her hair and put it in a side bun that would be easy to take out later.
• Give your hair volume and boost that will last by spraying a volumizing spray into the roots all over. If it’s easier, flip your head over and spray.
• Take 1 inch sections and curl your hair using a flat iron or a 1 to 1 1/2 inch barrel curling iron. On my model, I used a flat iron and twisted all the way down the hair. Don’t curl the hair right from the root. Start mid-way down and concentrate the curls on the lower half of the hair.
• If you want a polished bun, use a comb to the gather the hair into a bun. If you want a soft and textured bun, gather the hair with your fingers which is what I did on the model. Keep it chic by placing it lower at the nape of the neck. I smoothed the hair with a teeth comb then used an elastic to create a side pony tail.
• Because her hair was curled, it took seconds to twist the hair into a bun. I used several bobby pins until it felt secure. Criss-crossing the pins will help secure it and use less bobbi-pins.
• Spray all over with an extra-hold hair spray.
• When you’re ready for your night out, all you have to do is pull out the bun, flip your head over, and your beautiful soft waves will still be in tact! Your hair will look similar to the picture below.

Model: Malina Photo credit: Spencer Fu

Easy right?! What is your quick but polished look?