best buys
Quick fix beauty hack buys that all mums need
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When you're a mum to a baby, toddler or young children it can feel like you don't even have time for a shower, let alone a beauty regime!
Taking some time for yourself and looking after your skin and hair can really help your mental wellbeing, as feeling good on the outside can help you to feel good on the inside, too.
And, while the days of perfect manicures, dangly earrings and daily blow-dries are likely to be long gone now you're a busy parent, there are plenty of ways you can still treat yourself.
These beauty hacks will have you feeling and looking pampered in an instant, even if you can't remember the last time you had eight hours sleep ...
1. The Problem: Dirty Hair The Solution: Dry Shampoo, £3.25
*Spray on dry shampoo instantly de-greases your hair
*No water required whatsoever, it only takes seconds
*Leaves hair looking and smelling freshly washed
Haven't been able to wash your hair in days? No problem. This dry shampoo sprays onto greasy hair, absorbs the oil and makes your hair look fresh with no water required.
It smells great, too, and won't leave your hair looking grey or powdery. You'll save so much time in the morning, giving you a precious extra 30 minutes sleep (or an extra 30 minutes completing mum-duties!).
2. The Problem: Barely-there eyebrows The Solution: Eyebrow Tint, £7.50
*At-home brow tint by Eyelure that works in five minutes
*Around twelve applications from one pack
*Results last for up to six weeks
No time to pencil in your brows every day? Tinting your brows from home is a cheap and long-lasting way to have perfect eyebrows every day of the week. It's so easy to use, and particularly great for women with naturally fair hair.
It only takes five minutes, and the results can last for up to six weeks. A good brow can really frame the face beautifully, reducing the need for other makeup.
3. The Problem: Greasy skin The Solution: Blotting Sheets
*Oil blotting sheets that come in a handy dispenser ready to be used
*The sheets are made from 100% natural linen fibres with organic bamboo charcoal
*Each paper is 10cm large
Found yourself with a serious case of SULA (that's short for sweaty upper lip alert) recently? Or perhaps your forehead is shining like a very bright beacon. It's completely normal, especially when you're on your feet all day as a busy mum.
These blotting sheets instantly absorb excess oil and sweat, mattifying your skin without the need for powder. They're great for women with acne-prone skin, too, as they can help to remove oil rather than covering it up with makeup which may clog pores further.
4. The Problem: Dry hair The Solution: Hair Moisturising Spritz, £5.99
*Hydrates hair, leaving it smooth and silky
*Ideal for mums with dry hair who don't want to use heat to style their hair
*Smells like delicious, exotic coconuts
Embrace your natural hair texture with this coconut oil and bamboo extract hair spritz. It's perfect for dry hair, or for anyone who is suffering from dull winter hair, and will leave you feeling like a new woman. It contains egg white protein to strengthen your strands, too.
Unlike heavier serums, this spray won't leave your hair feeling sticky and thanks to the spraying action it's harder to accidentally overload. Use it on freshly brushed hair in the morning, and enjoy shiny tresses all day!
5. The Problem: Hard-to-budge makeup The Solution: Organic Raw Coconut Oil
*Dissolves all makeup quickly and easily
*Use to deeply moisturise skin and hair overnight
*Add ground coffee to turn it into a natural, moisturising body scrub which is suitable for sensitive skin
Busy mums should have a big tub of the stuff in their beauty cabinet at all times. It softens skin, lips and hair, and can be used as a brilliantly effective (and time-saving!) makeup remover.
You can also use it as a shaving balm, a face mask, to cook with and (if you're really lucky) it can double up as a sweet smelling massage oil. The possibilities really are endless!
6. The Problem: Your roots show The Solution: Root Cover Up, £5.99
*Spray it onto your roots to match and blend with your dyed hair colour
*Available in so many colours, from light blonde to black
*Stays on all day and washes out in the shower
Are your roots beginning to show through? Whether you're naturally grey, dye your hair darker or bleach it, you might find it very difficult to get your roots touched up regularly now that you're a busy mum. Plus, hair salons are expensive!
This touch up spray covers your roots without actually dying them, which is perfect for covering and blending your natural hair growth in with your old dyed hair.
7. The Problem: Five minutes to get party-ready The Solution: Eyeliner Stamp
*Stamp-on eyeliner that gives you the perfect winged liner in seconds
*Choose from 8, 10 or 12mm wing length
*Also has a normal eyeliner pen so you can draw the rest of your liner yourself
Winged liner can really complete your makeup look for night out, but as a time-pressed mum you probably won't have time to keep applying and re-applying the perfect wing!
With this stamp-on liner, you're guaranteed perfect results in seconds. Just stamp on the wing, and you're good to go. You can even choose which length of wing you'd like – the liner is available in 8, 10 or 12mm.
8. The Problem: Puffy eyes The Solution: Comfort Therapy Bed Wedge Pillow
*Designed for back and neck pain and acid reflux, but we think it makes a great pillow for preventing puffy eyes!
*Can help you to get a better night's sleep as it keeps your airways open
*Supports your body from the hip to the head
Ever woken up with a puffy face and eyes? As well as eating too much salt and not getting enough shut-eye, the reason could be that you're lying with your head too flat. Sleeping with an elevated pillow wedge underneath your normal pillow can help fluid to drain away from your face (thanks, gravity!).
This one supports your whole body from the hip to the head, and the gentle graduation can aid in a better night's sleep overall. Make sure you're drinking plenty of water and eating as healthily as possible throughout the day to maximise the de-puffing effects.
9. The Problem: Slow drying nails The Solution: Nail drying spray (three-pack)
*Pack of three 50ml bottles of nail spritz
*Sets as a top coat to keep your nails looking great
*Makes painting your nails at home so much more convenient
Long nails might be a thing of the past now you're a mum, but that doesn't mean you can't still paint your nails a pretty colour!
We all know a woman is most vulnerable when her nails are wet, and with kids you just never know when you're going to need full use of your hands. This nail drying spray speeds up the drying process so you can paint your nails and be ready for the day in an instant.
Read on:
- The best skincare products for busy mums
- Hair hacks for time-pressed mums
- Best buys to get rid of dark circles
