Fun fact: I've been a sleep-deprived parent for five years.
With three kids under the age of five, I'm perpetually tired and always on the hunt for quick makeup products that make me look/feel alive.
Why? Because makeup is great for faking that whole ‘I have my life together’ vibe when really, it feels like it's an inch from falling apart.
I'm no makeup artist, but in my experience, the key to fast makeup for mums who have zero time but feel like a pep up comes down to three things:
1. Investing in a good morning skincare routine for it all to go on - you can read my fail-safe two-minute morning skincare routine here.
2. A few multipurpose products that can be used a variety of different ways (including in the car where there's good lighting).
3. No more than 10 minutes of your time.
Best Makeup Hacks & Products.
So, let’s get onto my favourite products for sleep-deprived parents.
This small but mighty makeup case of products below are what I use on my face when my toddlers wake up and demand I wash their eyes in the middle of the night (true story), before insisting the whole family - including the baby - starts the day at 4am.
Also a true story.
Because, let's be real: No amount of skin care alone can help when you've had one of these nights.
Or several in a row. You need the big makeup guns - here are mine.
1. A Hydrating Base for Glowy, Radiant Skin.
What: Aspect Sun Hydrating Face SPF 50+ 75ml
Why it's so popular:
I gave up on primers years ago when I discovered this sunscreen makes skin look and feel moisturised and radiant.
Hydrated skin = the best makeup base, but the bigger bonus is how wearing sunscreen every day will provide you with adequate sun protection, too.
So, if your kids have been up all night, can I recommend that when you get up, cry for thirty seconds, cleanse your face, apply your moisturiser, maybe cry a little more, and follow with the Aspect Hydrating SPF over the top?
Then, give yourself a pep talk and you’ll be good to go.