This post contains a sponsored inclusion of CVS, but all of the opinions within are those of The Everymom editorial board.
"Becoming a young mom (two under 2 by the time I was 25, to be exact) taught me a lifetime’s worth of knowledge in a very short amount of time. The biggest thing I learned: It’s frighteningly easy to lose yourself in motherhood. A couple months after having my second kid, I remember glimpsing my frayed reflection in the mirror while wiping spit-up off my T-shirt for the umpteenth time and thinking, “Is that what I look like now?” As someone who’s always loved getting dolled up and was even a freelance makeup artist in college, it was a gut-punch to realize that I’d forgotten such a big part of myself.
Self-care looks different for every mom, from exercising to painting to reading a good book. For me, putting on makeup and getting dressed in a cute (and comfy) outfit is what helps fill my cup. It takes conscious effort to take care of yourself when you’re taking care of everyone else, but these little moments benefit us and our kids in the long run. I wear makeup every day because, yes, I enjoy feeling pretty, but it’s also a small reminder to myself that I’m still here. Even when my routine revolves around their needs, my home is taken over by their toys, and my TV plays their favorite shows, the person I was before earning the title of “mom” still exists.
If you also want to rediscover your favorite beauty rituals again, I’ll share the products that make me look and feel refreshed with minimal effort. Because regardless of how much I enjoy painting a full face of makeup on, I gotta fit it into my jam-packed morning duties. With lots of practice and easy-to-blend products, I’ve managed to get my makeup routine down to 15 minutes. Here’s everything I use for a quick yet flawless face from start to finish:
My go-to beauty products for a 15-minute face:
Neutrogena
Before we get to the makeup, we’ve gotta prep the base. I don’t typically wear primer on the daily, but I always apply moisturizer (as a dry-skin girlie, it’s a nonnegotiable). This water gel is lightweight and doesn’t pill underneath foundation or BB cream.
Eucerin
Yep, we’re still on skincare. Even if your foundation has SPF in it, it’s always recommended to apply sunscreen beforehand anyway.
e.l.f
This product is technically a “complexion booster” and can be worn on its own or underneath a foundation. I love wearing it as a BB cream because it leaves a dewy, skin-like finish. The doe-foot applicator makes it quick and easy to apply.
Armani Beauty
When I need more coverage, I use the Luminous Silk foundation. It’s one of the pricier items in my collection, but a little goes a long way, and a full bottle will last me at least six months even with daily use. This foundation has a wide shade range with various undertones, and the finish always looks natural.
Here’s the brush I use for blending foundation and concealer.
Rare Beauty
I’ve gone through three of these concealers already because the formula is perfect for those of us who struggle with dryness and creasing. It blends out with a few taps of my ring finger and even looks natural on bare skin for days I opt out of foundation. However, their shade range is limited and needs an update.
Maybelline
I’ve also used the Instant Age Rewind concealer for years on myself and past makeup clients of all ages. It provides great coverage for dark under eyes, acne scars, and dark spots. They also offer color-correcting shades!
Morphe 2
I’m a fan of cream base products because of my dry skin, and the product name is spot-on for this bronzer. Most of the bronzer sticks I’ve used are super patchy, but this one blends out like a dream. I also find that cream or liquid bronzers are more forgiving and easier to apply when you’re in a rush. I don’t use contour on a day-to-day basis (I’ll save the face-snatching for date night), but I will apply bronzer around contour areas like the outer perimeters of my face, on the bridge of my nose for a sun-kissed look, and even on my eyelids when I don’t have time for eyeshadow.
Danessa Myricks Beauty
Now, I don’t mean to brag, but I’m not exaggerating when I say my blush gets complimented on the regular. And I have this blush balm from Danessa Myricks Beauty to thank for that. I use the shade “Rosé N Brunch,” which is the most beautiful neutral pink. Danessa Myricks struck gold when she formulated this blush because its skin-blurring qualities are incomparable. Blush is typically the first product to disappear from the face, but this one lasts all day. And if I do reapply, the balm formula doesn’t look cakey even on top of powder.
e.l.f.
I apply my makeup around 6:00 a.m. and don’t take it off until my kids are tucked in bed well after 7:00 p.m. My biggest tip for getting it to last all day long is to set areas prone to creasing or oiling (under eyes, around the nose, and forehead) with powder. e.l.f. loose powder is affordable and doesn’t make your face feel caked. You can set with a fluffy brush or powder puff for extra coverage.
NYX
Some may call this blush blindness… but I always go over my cream blush with powdered blush after applying loose powder. It’s an extra step, for sure, but I can’t help it—I’m a blush lover through and through. These Buttermelt Blushes are super pigmented and glide on like, well, butter.
Revlon
Because I’m all about high-efficiency makeup items these days, I only use one eyeshadow palette every day and keep it very minimal. I apply a neutral light brown to my crease for depth, and instead of eyeliner, I apply a dark brown shade with a pointed eyeliner brush on the outer edge of my top and bottom lash lines. It’s a softer way to define your lash line and eliminates the risk of messing up eyeliner when you’re already in a pinch.
Mented Cosmetics
Eyebrows are another area I choose efficiency over perfection. Eyebrow pencils are ideal for quickly brushing up and filling in sparse areas. This one from Mented is super pigmented, waterproof, and stays put for 10+ hours. I also use my eyebrow pencil to draw over and reemphasize my beauty marks after I finish setting my makeup (a nice touch that helps your base look more natural).
NYX
The biggest hack for making your makeup not only last all day but also look flawless and smooth is setting spray. And a lot of it. I apply a good five to seven sprays after I’m done with everything except mascara. Setting spray fuses all your cream and powder products together so everything looks fresh and skin-like.
Maybelline
Once my setting spray sets completely and my lashes are totally dry, I go in with my lash curler (the curse of having curly hair but pin-straight lashes) and a lengthening mascara. I prefer length over volume since my lashes are more likely to fall throughout the day, and I like how the brush of this mascara gets every single lash.
Revlon
I prefer lip oils over lip glosses because they feel much more moisturizing. If I want a little more definition to my lips, I’ll use a lip liner a few shades darker than my actual lip color before applying this oil.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Since becoming a young mama in 2020, Steph has found joy in creating beautiful yet relatable content surrounding the raw realities of motherhood. She believes showcasing both the wonders and struggles of being a parent helps other mothers understand that they are not alone in their journey.
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The Everygirl Media Group has brought valuable content to our readers for 12+ years. In 2018, The Everymom set out to ensure that all moms know they’re not alone. If you find yourself seeking advice on how to style the latest fashion trend or searching for the best kid-friendly coffee table, we have the answers. And if you’re wondering what’s actually worth it from a sale or looking for a review of the hottest new kids’ product, we’ve got that covered too. From our annual Registry Awards and beloved holiday gift guides to the shopping round-ups you find on our site every day, The Everymom commerce team is well-versed in sifting through thousands of products to curate a digestible list for you. We combine our own experience with in-depth research to bring you a selection that meets our high standards for both fashion and function.
This post contains a sponsored inclusion of CVS, but all of the opinions within are those of The Everymom editorial board.