

Counting down the days until school starts up yet? I know I am and Reese isn't even in school yet. I do work at a school so I am excited for the building to come alive again with staff and students. Looking forward to a new year. 

It also means for parents like us, a different and more rushed morning. It's important to me to maintain a sense of feeling put together even if my routine has changed. I have found a few great items that are critical in being able to do this and wanted to share with the other mamas out there!

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I broke it down into two quick categories and am sharing with you why I love these items but how they are going to save you time, so here goes!


1. Bare Minerals the Nature of Nudes Palette- I have wanted this palette forever. A few weeks ago I finally snagged it in one of Ulta's surprise sales. This is perfect for every mom, anyone really. Especially moms. Most days, as much as I would love to glam it up that is not realistic. I am also past the time in life where I can extra like that on the daily. I shed a lot of the browns from my collection years ago and have slowly been trying to find the best colors around. This one is it for me. It has a great combo of soft browns and soft greys. It has a couple of matte colors but mostly they have some sparkle or metalized element, which I think is really fun.  Just because I am toning down the color, doesn't mean I can't have fun. Plus, a color with a little pizzazz means I may only need to sweep a color across my lid and I am ready to go. This is also a great day to night palette because it does have some darker shadows you can use to smoke it out a bit. A little pricey, but will be your day to day shadows.

2. Too Faced Better than Sex Mascara- I have talked about this one before and it is still one of my favorites. My real lashes are pitiful, pathetic. My husband had better lashes and this is wasted on them. I love that this makes it look like I have full voluminous lashes. I have tried so many mascaras and this is the only one that delivers the goods. If you are busy and only have one thing to do. This is it. Great lashes make you feel confident and ready to take on the world. I have also almost eliminated eyeliner unless I am going out. I heard somewhere it might make you look younger. I can use all the help I can get after being so tired and chasing around a little one.

3. Tarteist Lash Paint Mascara- Since I have eliminated eyeliner for most days I have started to put mascara on my lower lashes. As much as I love the Too Faced mascara, it's almost too much for my lower lashes and it gets everywhere. This mascara is more precision and perfect for my lower lashes. It's quick and easy to put on and gets the job done. 

4. MAC Velvet Teddy Matte Lip- It's hard to find a lip that is perfect for every day. I am always looking for a color that I can just throw on and go. For myself, most nudes just don't work. Pinky nudes aren't the best for me. Especially for summer, it cannot be too dark or brown. This is described as a 'deep tone beige.' Definitely in a nude category, but warmer and not too dark. This has been great to wear with the browner tones of the Bare Essentials palette. I can guarantee it will match any other nude browns. Basically the moral of the story for me is to have to think less in the morning. I want multiple pieces that go together and having such a versatile color is great for moms. 

5. Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer- I have bragged about this one again and again. It's the easiest and most effective concealer I have ever used. It goes on so smoothly and doesn't feel like there is a pull on the sensitive parts of your face. I almost rub this all over my face or any dark spots to lighten them. It's also lightweight so it feels more effortless. Given that it isn't a messy liquid bottle it is so easy to carry around and re-apply as necessary. As a mom, the dark circles are the rule not the exception. I need all the help I can get so I can focus on the task at hand and not others commenting on how tired I look. 

6. Tarte Amazonian Clay Bronzer- This is a bronzer but I use it to contour. I have talked about this before too, but it is worth mentioning again. I know some people don't contour every day, but I need to a little bit. If I am tired I look a little puffier and I need just a bit of contour to help make me feel like me again. In the summer, when I used to be able to lay out, the sun provided a natural contour. Now I need that sun-kissed feeling from Tarte so I can get those angles working on my face. This is easy to do too. Quick under the cheekbone and around my jawline is where I use it. Takes only a few seconds and provides just the shape I am looking for. No muss, no fuss. 

7. L'Oreal Paris Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream- This and the concealer are my 1-2 punch to keep me looking revitalized. I put this all over my face for any powder foundation or anything. It just smooths and evens my skin tone. Some days honestly, I just use this and the concealer and it works just fine. Gives a natural appearance and is light and easy. It also stays on really well all day even if I don't use a setting spray. So you don't have to worry about it wearing off or caking up. Parents are busy and I don't have time to touch up a hundred times a day. This will get you through. 


8. Klorane Dry Shampoo- Dry shampoos are the saving grace. Trying to fit everything in taking care of the kid, working, working out, keeping the house clean,'s a lot. Some days something has to give and with dry shampoo, on those days it's washing my hair. With so many great options on the market, it's hard to choose. Lately, I have switched back to an old favorite. I discovered Klorane years ago in my Birchbox and finally, they are sold at Ulta. Previously I was using Living Proof, which I love but after a day or so there is a residue. Klorane is really light and does not leave that residue. I can actually get multiple days, which is hard for me. What I really love about this is that it comes in the regular version and they have `a darker color for darker hair. I know it's harder for ladies with dark hair to blend the white color sometimes and I have used this in the past and loved it!

9. Redken Pillow Proof Blow Dry Spray- I read about this a couple of months ago and thought I would give it a try. Mostly advertised as a heat protectant for your hair, which is important. However, what I really love it for is speeding up the blow drying process. I can vouch that it absolutely does. I have fairly thick hair so it takes a while sometimes. If it can cut out even a couple of minutes sometimes that makes a difference in a busy morning. When I forget to use it I really kick myself. It has become an absolute must for me. It also comes in a travel size!

There you have it! My beauty must-haves for busy mamas. We may not have the time we used to, but we can still look great doing it! What are you tricks for quick and easy beauty? Leave me a comment below!

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