As a mom, finding the time to focus on beauty, hygiene, and makeup can feel like a difficult feat. Between feeding little ones, changing diapers, packing bags, cleaning up messes, keeping appointments, and trying to remember what you walked into the kitchen for, taking care of yourself can quickly fall to the bottom of the list.
If you’re struggling to find the time—or energy—to invest in yourself, you’re definitely not alone.
Before I became a mom, I wore makeup almost every day and washed my face twice daily. I had routines. I had products. I had time!
After having my daughter, all of that changed. Suddenly, washing my face before bed felt like one more chore standing between me and my pillow. Some days, simply taking a shower felt like a major accomplishment.
But it doesn’t have to be all or nothing, mamas.
Taking care of yourself doesn’t require an elaborate 12-step skincare routine, perfectly styled hair, or an hour in front of the mirror. Sometimes a few small shortcuts can help you feel a little more refreshed and a little more like yourself.
Here are six quick and easy beauty tips for busy moms.
1. Wash Your Face When You Have the Time and Energy
Who says your nighttime skincare routine has to happen immediately before bed?
In my experience, by the time I’m actually ready to go to sleep, I’m exhausted. I just want to brush my teeth and slip beneath the covers. Washing my face, taking off makeup, and doing anything resembling a skincare routine can feel like too much.
So, I changed the timing.
I started washing my face when my daughter is getting ready for bed—roughly two or three hours before I actually go to sleep. I’m still awake, I still have a little energy, and I’m already in the bathroom helping her get ready.
When my bedtime finally rolls around, I can collapse onto my pillow with a clean face.
Look for little opportunities like this to combine your routines with your children’s routines. Brush your teeth while they brush theirs. Put on moisturizer while they’re taking a bath. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s finding something that works in your real life.
2. Talk to Your Doctor About Vitamins and Nutrition
Healthy hair, skin, and nails can be influenced by a number of things, including nutrition, hormones, stress, sleep, and overall health.
Some vitamins and supplements marketed for hair, skin, and nails contain nutrients such as biotin. However, supplements aren’t automatically right for everyone, and more isn’t necessarily better.
If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medications, or already taking a prenatal or multivitamin, talk with your healthcare provider before adding another supplement. Your doctor can help you determine whether you actually need one and whether it’s safe for you.
And don’t forget about nutrition! A balanced diet with protein, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats provides nutrients your entire body needs—not just your hair and nails.
3. Create a Three-Minute Makeup Routine
If you enjoy wearing makeup, find a quick and painless routine that works for you.
Notice I said if you enjoy it. Makeup is absolutely optional!
For me, a simple routine includes primer, foundation, setting powder, eyebrow gel, mascara, and lip gloss. It takes roughly three minutes. Nothing fancy—just tried and true.
Your routine might be even simpler. Maybe it’s tinted moisturizer, mascara, and lip balm. Maybe you love a little blush because it instantly makes you feel brighter. Maybe you skip makeup altogether and concentrate on skincare.
Keep your everyday favorites together in one small makeup bag or container. That way, you’re not digging through a drawer looking for your mascara while someone is yelling, “Mom!”
Save the complicated looks for days when you have more time. Your everyday routine should be fast enough that you can actually use it.
4. Give Your Hands and Nails a Little TLC
You don’t need a professional manicure every week to keep your hands looking cared for.
After a warm bath or shower, your cuticles are softer, making that a convenient time to gently care for your nails. You can also keep a nail file and hand lotion somewhere you regularly sit—beside your bed, at your desk, or near the couch.
The trick is making self-care easy to access.
If you love polished nails but don’t have time for regular manicures, try a clear coat or neutral polish that doesn’t make every tiny chip obvious. Or skip the polish completely and simply keep your nails clean and shaped.
Little things count!
5. Change Your Pillowcases Regularly
I’ll be honest: I change our pillowcases more often than I change our bedsheets.
Your face and hair spend hours against your pillow every night, and pillowcases naturally collect oils, sweat, skincare products, and hair products. Regular washing is an easy addition to your routine.
If changing the entire bed feels like too much on a busy week, changing just the pillowcases takes only a couple of minutes.
Here’s another mom hack: keep an extra set of clean pillowcases in your linen closet or bedroom so you can swap them quickly without having to wait for laundry day.
And there’s something wonderful about climbing into bed with a fresh pillowcase at the end of a very long mom day!
6. Clean Your Makeup Tools—and Toss Old Products
When was the last time you washed your makeup brushes?
If your answer is, “I have absolutely no idea,” welcome to the club.
Makeup brushes and reusable sponges need regular cleaning because product, oils, and other debris can build up over time. Make it part of another routine you already have. For example, clean your brushes on the first weekend of every month or whenever you clean your bathroom.
It’s also a good idea to periodically go through your makeup, skincare, lotions, and hair products. Toss anything that has expired, smells different, has changed consistency, or has been sitting untouched for years.
Pay particular attention to eye products such as mascara. Follow the manufacturer’s directions regarding how long a product should be kept after opening, and don’t share eye makeup with other people.
Bonus: cleaning out that overflowing makeup drawer makes your three-minute morning routine even faster!
Don’t Forget the Basics
Sometimes the best beauty advice has nothing to do with beauty products.
Drink water. Eat nourishing foods. Move your body when you can. Get as much rest as your season of motherhood realistically allows. And protect your skin from the sun with appropriate SPF and other sun-protection measures.
Most importantly, give yourself some grace.
Your body may look and feel different after pregnancy and childbirth. Your schedule is different. Your priorities are different. Your definition of “getting ready” might be different, too.
That’s okay.
Taking care of yourself doesn’t mean you have to look a certain way. It means recognizing that you matter, too.
It can be difficult to focus on ourselves when we’re in the trenches of motherhood. But directing even a little energy and attention toward yourself can help you feel refreshed, cared for, and ready to face the day.
You spend so much time pouring into everyone else. It’s okay to put a little something back into your own proverbial cup, too.
Support for Moms and Families
Motherhood is wonderful, exhausting, beautiful, messy, and sometimes overwhelming. You don’t have to navigate it all by yourself.
The Pregnancy & Parenting Center provides families with free support, resources, supplies, and parenting education designed to help parents feel more confident and supported as they care for their children.
Whether you’re preparing for a new baby or navigating life with a little one, we’re here to walk alongside you with compassionate, nonjudgmental support.