When I was pregnant with my first baby, I assumed my beauty routine would more or less stay the same, but between pregnancy fatigue, newborn chaos and, eventually, toddler life — not to mention a hectic job and some attempt at a social life — that idea quickly faded. I went from a full Korean 10-step skin care routine to a quick and practical routine.
Honestly, that wasn’t a bad thing. Even though I have far less time to enjoy long beauty rituals, keeping things simple has worked better for my schedule and my budget. It’s manageable, and it still makes me feel like myself. If you’re feeling the same way, here’s what’s worked for me when it comes to self-care as a busy mum.
Giving Myself Permission to Spend Time for Myself
I really thought I would be one of those women with a healthy glow during my pregnancy, but my hormones said “no.” I struggled with acne and hyperpigmentation in my first and second trimesters, but I needed to make sure every ingredient I used got an OK from my doctor. I had to let go of my handy-dandy retinoid because it’s not safe and may cause problems for pregnant women.
On top of figuring out which ingredients are okay, the fatigue, nausea and constant hormonal changes made it hard to keep up with my usual routine. Truth be told, there was a point where I gave up on skin care completely.
Then my daughter arrived, and I had to deal with a different kind of challenge. I felt guilty for taking time for myself because there’s this pressure in motherhood to give everything you have, all the time. I’ve come to realise, though, that I’m still a person outside of being a mum, and I’m allowed to care about how I feel in my own skin.
That’s where I also began to see that a beauty routine isn’t just about vanity. It’s a necessary, daily form of self-care for busy mums like me. It gives me a moment to recharge and feel confident so I can better handle the everyday demands of parenting. When I feel good, I show up better for my child and my family. That alone makes it worth prioritising.
My Strategy to Find Time for Beauty Routine
A poll revealed that 88% of mums said they would need at least four clones of themselves to get it all done. I relate to that. Between taking care of my toddler and basically the whole house, it’s hard to find time for my beauty routine. One thing I’ve learned since becoming a mum is that I need to let go of the idea of a “perfect” routine. Instead of long, uninterrupted stretches, I embraced small pockets of time. Five minutes here and 10 minutes there add up more than you think.
I began pairing simple beauty steps with things I was already doing. While my toddler played beside me, I’d apply my basic skin care routine and makeup. During nap time, I try to do a face mask or tidy up my brows instead of scrolling on my phone.
Of course, not every day goes to plan. Some days, nothing happens other than a quick wash, moisturiser and sunscreen, and that’s okay. Self-care for busy mums is all about flexibility and kindness toward yourself.
How to Create a Budget-Friendly Beauty Routine
Time isn’t the only thing that changed after having my child. My spending priorities changed, too. I had to rethink everything and figure out how to create a budget-friendly beauty routine that still felt worth it. Now, I focus on doing less, but doing it well. I stopped buying products I didn’t truly need and stuck to a few basics that actually work. Here’s how I create a budget-friendly beauty routine that saves me both time and money.
1. Practice Basic Skin Care
My non-negotiables are a gentle cleanser, a reliable moisturiser and sunscreen. Those three steps are enough to maintain healthy skin. They also don’t have to be expensive. You should be able to find great options at the chemist. When choosing the products, I focus on hydration. Ingredients like hyaluronic acid can keep your skin looking fresh, even on the days you feel completely exhausted.
2. Wear Minimal Makeup and Use Double-Duty Products
I found that affordable, multipurpose products are fantastic to help me look refreshed in just a few minutes. My current favourite right now is my tinted moisturiser with SPF. It provides enough hydration and light coverage while also protecting my skin from the sun without any extra steps. I also love a good cream blush stick that I can use on my cheeks, lips and as a quick eyeshadow.
3. Consider In-Office Procedures
This one might sound surprising, but hear me out. At first, in-office treatments didn’t seem budget-friendly to me either, but over time, I found out they can actually save time and money.
Since trying microneedling, I spend less on skin care and barely use makeup because it helps my skin look smooth and firm. The procedure uses tiny needles to create small punctures in the skin, which stimulates collagen production. That might sound painful, but I actually only feel tingling sensations most of the time. The whole session only takes about 30 minutes, and there’s little to no downtime. This is a big plus now that I don’t have time for retinols or a red-light therapy mask at home.
4. Try Homemade Hair Oils
When I’m busy or stressed, my hair always feels thinner or more fragile, so I started making my own rosemary oil, which is known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that support scalp health and encourage hair growth.
It’s also incredibly simple to make with Tangle Teezer’s recipe. All you need is one cup of coconut oil as a carrier and about five drops of rosemary essential oil. You’ll gently warm the coconut oil using a double boiler, remove it from the heat once it’s warm, then add the rosemary oil and stir well before storing it in an airtight bottle. I usually apply it during my little one’s naptime or at night, once she’s asleep and I still have energy.
5. Do Overnight Styling With Fuzzy Socks
Since I no longer have time to curl my hair in the morning or do a proper blow-dry, I swear by overnight styling now. My favourite way to get heatless curls is by using long, fuzzy socks. I dampen my hair slightly, divide it into sections, secure the socks at my crown with clips, wrap my hair around them and fasten the ends. I also use a silk bonnet to reduce friction and keep the socks in place. It’s so easy, but I wake up with shiny and bouncy waves without any effort in the morning.
Glow With the Flow
Some days you may manage a full routine, and other days you barely get through the basics. It’s important to accept both without guilt. This season of our life is busy, unpredictable and full, so our beauty routine has to meet us where we are. What I’ve learned is that taking even a few minutes for myself helps me feel more like me again, and that feeling carries into how I show up for myself and my family. So start small, be gentle with yourself and trust that small efforts to take care of yourself still count.
ABOUT OUR CONTRIBUTOR:
Beth Rush is the green wellness editor at Body+Mind, a health and wellness brand. She covers topics like sustainable healthcare and all the ways human health is inextricably linked to planetary health. Beth is raising her own family on plant-based recipes and mindful nutrition. You can find Beth on Twitter @bodymindmag.
