If you're a mom in this fast-paced modern world, chances are you're only too familiar with the morning rush to get up, get yourself and the kids dressed and out the door on time. In all the chaos of school lunches, finding lost socks, finishing homework or preparing for a big meeting, the one member of the family who often ends up being neglected is you.
There's no longer time for straightening irons or the application of the perfect smokey eye before you’re rushing out the door, wishing you’d painted your nails the night before and hoping your colleagues won’t notice that you haven’t washed your hair.
Whether you are working, or a full-time mother you still want to leave the house in the morning on time, looking and feeling your best – so we’ve asked the experts to share their favourite 10-minute make-up tips. By cutting down your beauty regime to the bare necessities, you can save time, without sacrificing your appearance.
What not to cut out...
We all know there are a few pampering treatments that we can do without, but there are elements to the morning beauty regime that you can't skimp on. So before we find out what we can cut down on, here's what not to leave out.
According to hair and make-up artist, Sylvie Hurford, of L’Oréal Paris, moisturiser and a good sunscreen are a given. These two morning applications are without a doubt the most important and should never be overlooked, even on the busiest days.
If you've been waking up for your baby in the night, you don’t want it to show on your face the next morning.
An instant, surefire way to get your skin looking plump and fresh again is a good dose of moisturiser. "Lacklustre, tired skin always benefits from a dose of moisture," says Hurford. "I love serum, and I always double moisturise when I'm feeling exhausted. It plumps up skin and gets you through the day."
Time spent: 25 seconds applying moisturiser and SPF
Top tip
Tinted moisturiser will do wonders to liven up and refresh your skin with a glow. Follow up with a nice even coat of mascara to brighten up those eyes!
Make-up in a jiffy
"Once you've primed the surface of your skin with moisturiser and covered your face in (essential - even in winter) SPF, your next most important step is to apply something that evens out your skin tone," says Hurford, who is also a mother of two. "I firmly believe that no other make-up will look good unless you prime the canvas. It doesn't have to be major, full-on foundation. If you're rushed off your feet a little concealer (or alternatively, tinted moisturiser) will help when it comes to getting skin looking fresh and flawless."
Apply a concealer under the eyes, which will neutralise dark circles and then add lashings of mascara. "I'm a huge fan of beautifully curled, full-fringed lashes," says Hurford. "It's a rapid way to give you a bit of oomph when you're not feeling it."
Time spent: 35 seconds on applying a concealer or a tinted moisturiser, six minutes on under-eyes and lashes
Express hair
Depending on what type of hair you have, you may feel that you can't possibly get away without washing it every day. However, there are those mornings when you overslept, or you have an early meeting and you just don't have the time. Don't despair, there are loads of ways that you can hide lacklustre, unwashed hair. And even use it to your advantage.
"If your cut and colour is in top condition then you can get away with dirty hair much more easily," says Hurford. "A little planning goes a long way." An old trick is to wash and dry just your fringe to get it looking fresh, but if you don’t have time even for that then go straight for the updo. It looks better and is easier to execute on unwashed hair, so grab a hairband and a brush and slick it back. "Ponytails work wonders, as do ballet buns," says Hurford. "Finish off the look with a slather of hair serum for good measure. Very elegant."
If you find that you are regularly running out of time in the morning, a wise purchase, is a dry shampoo. Made for people who can’t shampoo every day, it's a waterless spray that penetrates into the hair and absorbs dirt, leaving hair looking and smelling fresh. If you have oily hair keep one in your handbag for a quick spray during the day if your hair needs a boost.
But on those mornings when all else fails, accessorise. Turbans work wonders for short hair. If you have long hair, try a bandana or a scarf to cover up the roots.
Time spent: 3 minutes
The weekly pamper session
There are parts of your beauty regime that you can cut down to once a week. Instead of rushing through the more time-consuming aspects, why not set aside time one evening a week when the kids are in bed and you can run a bath and indulge in some me-time?
By incorporating a light scrub into your morning face wash, you can limit a thorough exfoliation to once a week. "I like to get double out of my cleanser by rinsing it off using a towelling face cloth with warm water each morning. This gives a mild exfoliant and cuts out the need to use a chemical exfoliant as often," explains Hurford.
Once you've exfoliated, a weekly face mask is ideal for restoring moisture and helping you to unwind. Your skin will thank you for it and so will your schedule.
Time spent: 5 minutes