A Beauty Routine for Practical or Poor Moms

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As a work-from-home mom, most of my days are spent in yoga pants parked in front of my computer for hours. So a regular skin and make-up regime has seriously fallen to bottom of my To Do List. But recently, I really looked at myself in the mirror… and I was upset with what I saw. Sure – I'm 100 pounds overweight but that wasn't all that made me feel bad about what I saw. I was unhappy with how far I had let myself go.

So I promised myself that I would try harder to brush my teeth before noon, commit to regular skin care, and try to slap a little make-up on each day. I'm not trying to be a 50's housewife – I'm just trying to get back to a place where I feel better about myself. If you're looking to make the same goal for yourself then here's a little rundown of the few (and affordable) products that I use each day.

A Beauty Routine for Practical or Poor Moms

Skincare

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser: This is my go to face wash. When I worked as a nanny in a multi-million dollar area of LA, I used to peek at what products the rich moms used and, nine times out of 10, there was a bottle of this next to the sink.

Aveeno Active Naturals Ultra Calming Daily Moisturizer with SPF: True story – I totally bought this because Jennifer Aniston shilled it. But you know what? It's not bad at all! I liked so much that I also picked up a tub of the night cream to use during those skin sucking winter months.

Olay Regenerist Regenerating Lotion With SPF: Serums are bad ass for aging skin. In the fall and winter months, I mix a little serum with my moisturizer and apply twice a day. In the summer months, I can often skip moisturizer all together and just use the serum.

ROC Daily Resurfacing Disks: Another awesome tool for fighting aging skin. I actually only use this once a week (due to my super sensitive skin) but can up it to every other day in the summer months. Please note that doctors recommend against using any products containing retinols during pregnancy.

Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm: This is my one “splurge” – you can definitely buy less expensive lip balm but I love this one so much that I ask for it in my Christmas stocking! There's just something about the bee's wax that stays longer than other ones I've tried.

Hair

Suave Professionals Rosemary + Mint Shampoo: I started using this while I was pregnant and my hair imploded upon itself. It cleans the oil without drying out my scalp.

Suave Professionals Conditioner, Natural Infusion Macadamia Oil & White Orchid: I picked this up when my curls started to get beyond my control and someone told me to try using products that include oils.

Organix Renewing Moroccan Argan Oil Penetrating Oil: I use this after I get out of the shower while my hair is still damp. Mostly I use it on the hair from the ears down but in the winter, I'll gently rub a little on the top.

Goody Ouchless Hair Elastics in Chocolate Cake: I buy these by the truckload and always have one around my wrist for when I need to pull my hair up and out of the way.

Make-Up

Maybelline Instant Pore Eraser Primer: I have pretty good skin so I skip foundation and just use this. It is great for “erasing” pores and letting your skin breathe.

Maybelline New York Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer: Do not let the words highlighter deter you – I totally use this as an under eye concealer. And guess what? It's the only thing that I've ever used that actually covers them without giving me raccoon eyes.

NYX Cosmetics Tango with Bronzer Stick in Merengue Flush: This is an excellent knock-off of my all time favorite blush ever. It adds a nice flush to your cheeks that looks sunkissed and healthy.

NYC Expert Last Lipstick in Sugar Plum: I got this for free in one of my Influenster Vox Boxes and fell in freaking LOVE. It's THE perfect shade and goes on really smooth.

Neutrogena Healthy Volume Mascara in Black: I have incredibly sensitive eyes and this is one of the only drugstore brands that I can wear (and still makes my lashes look unclumpy and long).

Sonia Kashuk Lip Definer in Natural 20: Sometimes, I wear this alone and sometimes I wear it under my lipstick. A very versatile color that looks like my natural lip color amplified.

What's your affordable beauty product go-to?