For the next 2 weeks I’ll be participating in Bliss & Aveeno’s Beautiful Change Challenge. It includes a series of four challenges focused on renewing and revamping my beauty routine.
*scccreeeetttcchhhhhhh*
Hold up.
My beauty routine? I’m pretty sure most of you know I don’t have one. But a big part of my life right now is figuring out who I am and want to be outside of being a mom. Now that I’ve officially graduated from “new mom” status, it’s time to remember what it’s like being a wife, friend, and late 20-something girl. It’s the little things that make a difference. They’re also the easiest to let slip away. I’m perfectly comfortable letting my neighbors see me at noon in my pj’s or going to the grocery store without a stitch of make up on, but it’s also nice to feel cleaned up and pretty and put together. Sometimes taking a few minutes to pull yourself together is all it takes to make you feel like you can tackle the world…or at least the day.
The first task bestowed upon the participants for the Beautiful Change Challenge is to focus on cutting down the time you spend primping in front of the mirror in the morning and spend that time on something more productive, like heading to the gym, making breakfast, or simply catching a few extra zzz’s. I’m going to redefine the challenge just a bit: GET a morning routine. A 3 minute morning routine. 3 minutes I can spare- the rest of the time I can continue to use more productively.
I leap reluctantly crawl out of bed before the sun even thinks about making an appearance in the morning, awakened to the sounds of a baby crying for his mama. From that moment until his morning nap 3 or 4 hours later, it’s all about him. I nurse him, then make and feed him breakfast. Change his diaper, get him dressed. Play with blocks, read books, give him a snack. And so on and so forth. On school days I consider myself lucky to make it to drop off wearing a snot-free, clean hoodie.
But since I’ve given up being a martyr mom and not taking time for myself, I’m also challenging myself to put myself together for the day- before the day is half over. It doesn’t need to be more than 5 minutes, but brushing my hair, swiping on my favorite BB cream and some mascara, and putting on clean, non-pajama clothes will be a big change for me- a good change, I’d say. 
A note from a Aveeno, the sponsor of the Beautiful Change Challenge:
Now, it’s actually healthy to wash your hair every day. AVEENO® PURE RENEWAL lets you renew your hair to its naturally balanced state daily. Unlike ordinary shampoos, these sulphate-free formulas have Balancing Seaweed Extract; bringing hair back to its naturally healthy, most balanced state with each wash, for beautifully healthy-looking hair.
Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Aveeno via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Aveeno.
Do you take time to put yourself together in the morning? What does your morning beauty routine look like?
{ 32 comments… read them below or chime in }
I work from home so this is a tough one…washing my face and brushing my teeth? I wear yoga pants to work in my home office aka kitchen and my hair is on my head in a wad! lol!
Heather Just blogged…Saucony Virrata Review
What a great program! Like you, I need to create a morning routine. I think I’m a little too comfortable in my own skin, I need to take the time to think about how I’m appearing to others.
Erin @ Girl Gone Veggie Just blogged…DIY Wedding Invitations
I keep it natural. No make up, no nothing. 100% all me.
Pavement Runner Just blogged…My Experience on a @StreetStrider
This is interesting I am a very busy women so three minute makeup routine really captures my attention.
I’m the first one up and the last one out of the house. Always running behind. My kids look like they stepped out of GQ and Vogue and I look like I had 30 seconds to comb my hair and brush my teeth. I have a ton of makeup – not sure how to put it on and no time to do it. If I do wear makeup, I put it on in the car on the way to work – talk about perfect lighting to apply makeup. Needless to say, I look like the effort I put into it and it’s not the best look for anyone!
Aveeno has great body products!
My routine is pretty quick. I shower, wash my hair, put on deodarant, eye serum, face serum. I then blow dry my hair and I am out the door. It usually takes me about 20 minutes to do all this.
I keep it very simple mascara brondzer & lip glos
I really don’t have a routine when it comes to putting make up on I am a grandmother who stays at home while my family is working and their kids are at day care. Its not like I don’t have me time I can I am so into the computer catching up on anything and everything playing games, reading blogs, my E-mail tons of it since I do surveys but, I haven’t really taken the time to wear make-up like I used too its not that I don’t like too I find that when I do go out I am very casualy dressed so its not like I am going anywhere special but, I do love a lot of the make-up thats on the market I think its important to look into what you would like for yourself and see whats available so many new things its hard keeping up with them. I am sure there are lots of women who forget about themselves and how to make themselves feel good because of their job, children, house work and so forth but, it is important to have me time and gives yourself a lift up and not down you are only as good as you feel and how you look tells the world a lot about you.
I keep it very simple. Foundation, blush and mascara. I would rather spend my time doing something else.
I too need a morning routine because it takes me forever to primp! But I love going all natural too!
In the morning I wash my face and get the kids off to school…I do not work so I do not primp up…when I go out though I love to get dolled up
I have to have my morning routine. I like to wear it all base, blush, eyeshadow mascara., lipstick or lip gloss and eyeliner
I don’t work everyday, so on the days I don’t work I just wash my face and moisturize with a sunscreen. On the day I do work I have my routine getting all my make up on and it takes me 15 mins total!!!
I love Aveeno. As i am at home I dont get dolled up but when i go out i sure get dolled it.
I am not a make up person but I do own it and only use it maybe twice a year. I keep it smile lip gloss and lotion face.
Sheila M. Dempsey
What a great program! Like you, I need to create a morning routine.
Personally life before my Disability was far different than now. I only wish I could get *out of bed* and get myself together even if only for me (and my Fiance)I am soooo grateful I found someone that appreciates me for me and not everything on the outside. He has seen me at my best and my worst and after it all he still wants me and loves me. Isn’t that what unconditional love is about?
I am an Aveeno user and love their products!
Before showering I must put my hair in a bun and wash my face using a cotton wash cloth, facial soap and warm water.
I go natural until it is time to leave the house and the I rush through the process
I only put on makeup if im going out so most days i just wash my face.
I have a basic routine that I do if I’m staying home and then a bit more elaborate routine if I’m going out {I call it my paint and spackle}
Kimberly D Just blogged…New Forest Scented @bestcatlitter Review and Giveaway {5 winners} {US} #WBCL #cats
I agree … I do feel better when I get myself together right away versus comfy clothing or the PJ’s whilst I get the house going and then get sucked into some chore. I feel like I am putting myself together at 2 pm so I don’t look like the moms picking kids up in PJ’s and embarrass their kids and also out of guilt that I am not “like my mom was when I was little and she had every hair in place …” I work from home …
I like to look my best at all times so I keep the same routine.
No I don’t have time I have a newborn I would love to I only sit at home and test products
My morning routine is pretty simple shower comb my hair brush my teeth alittle lotion for my face deo and I’m good to go.
More time for routine is needed the most.
I sit around in my sweats too. Brushing my hair is an option, not mandatory. LOL, but at least my nails look fierce! (Ruby White Tips.com indie brand of nail polish)
Found this blog from Crowdtap!!!! Congrats!
Keep up the good work!!!
All I do is brush my teeth, wash my face, comb my hair and put lotion on my feet, moisturizer on my face
i wear makeup and do my hair even if i am not going anything that day
Love aveeno