Hair, Hair, Everywhere

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discount haircare, ginnifer goodwin hair, hair definition and control, hair mask, hair powder, hair style, hair stylist, hair treatment, hair wax, haircare, haircare budget, michelle williams hair, Modern Organic Products, organic conditioner, organic shampoo, Redken, Redken Electric Wax Medium Control, Schwarzkopf, Schwarzkopf Osis+ Dust It Mattifying Powder, short hair

Last post I made mention of the fact that I am a mother to young boy. That comes with highs: listening to that gorgeous giggle when I tickle him; and lows: him pulling my hair.

When pregnant (isn’t it always then, it must be the hormones), I imagined I would be one of those mothers with long flowing locks, baby in its Ergo Carrier, going to cafes and drinking lattes. The reality is not quite the same. When Cam was about 4 months, I had had enough of him tugging my locks and also never had the time or energy to do anything more than put my shoulder-length hair into a pony-tail. So, on a family trip to Fiji, I cut it off.

Let’s go back for a minute. Yes, I said in Fiji. I would never, ever, recommend getting your hair cut while on holidays in Fiji. I have never regretted a haircut more. When I asked for a long bob, just a couple of inches off, the lady understood I wanted Posh Beckham’s style (not true) and I ended up with something like Nick from the Backstreet Boys in the early days.

I now have a style more like Ginnifer Goodwin or Michelle Williams. Easy to manage and I love it. The trick if you are getting a new cut is to get your stylist to show you how to look after it before you leave. For short hair like mine, you need a good quality wax that has some movement, (such as Redken Electric Wax Medium Control). My stylist also recommended using a hair powder (such as Schwarzkopf Osis+ Dust It Mattifying Powder) BEFORE the wax to give more definition and control.

You will need to make sure the product is completely washed out before you use it again, otherwise your hair will feel like it a piece of grass. Ideally get an organic shampoo and conditioner; you will then be sure that you are not further coating your hair with something it probably doesn’t need. Modern Organic Products has a great range of yummy smelling products made from fruit and vegetables so you will feel healthy too.

Finally, look after your mane. Treat it once in a while to a treatment or mask instead of bleaching it. It will thank you when you are 75 and want a full head of glamourous Helen Mirren-style grey hair.

image of Ginnifer Goodwin courtesy of dailymakeover.com

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aloe vera, beauty, Bliss, Bliss Daily Detoxifying Facial Toner, bronzer, cleanser, concealer, cosmetics, Dr Denese Hydrashield tinted moisturizer 15 +, exfoliate, First time mother, Kevyn Aucoin Curling Mascara, Lancome, Lancome Flash Retouche Brush On Concealer, L’Occitanne Cherry Blossom Lip Gloss, LOccitane, MAC Mineralize Skin Finish, MAC powder, make up, make up pads, makeup, Makeup forever, Makeup forever bronzer, Makeup Forever Mat Bronze Bronzing Powder, mascara, moisturiser, moisturizer, night moisturizer, Olay Regenerist, Olay Regererist Revitalizing Cream, Philosophy, Philosophy Microdelivery Micro massage exfoliating wash, rosewater toner, sensitive skin, skincare, skincare routine, sunscreen, tinted moisturizer, tinted moisturizer with sunscreen

As a first-time Mother, I didn’t realise how much my own routine would be thrown out of whack by setting up my mini-kind’s sleep-eat-play habits.

Before my son was born, I had a regular skincare routine, exfoliated weekly and made sure I put on body lotion everyday. Oh how that has changed. It’s not that I don’t care, I do. I’m just time-poor most-mornings in between getting a sippy cup full of milk and changing a dirty nappy plus managing to squeeze in a hot coffee. And I’m exhausted at night.

It took me no time at all to realise that I had to cut down my skincare and makeup routines so that I could prioritise other things, like sleep and coffee. To do this I had to make my products work double as hard so that I could effectively cut my time in the bathroom in half. So this is how I began…

I am a big advocate for making sure that your skin is moisturised daily. Even though I’ve been worn down and am tired, I’ve made sure I’ve continued that routine. When I have only slept 3 hours a night, it has made me feel a little more human. I also have a rosewater toner that I only use occasionally that is great for refreshing tired skin (Bliss has a similar one to mine called Daily Detoxifying Facial Toner). It’s important however, to make sure your moisturiser has sunscreen in it (covering two products). Even better if you have a tinted moisturizer with sunscreen (extra points for 3 products. I use Dr. Denese Hydrashield Tinted Moisturizer).  At night, I use a night moisturiser (Olay Regenerist Revitalizing Cream) as it’s richer, has no sunscreen that will clog your pores and is totally pointless in the dark.

I have sensitive skin and only exfoliate weekly with a cleanser that has clear beads in it in the shower (I use Philosophy Microdelivery Micro-massage Exfoliating Wash. Nightly, I simply remove my makeup with aloe-vera lotion on makeup pads. I have learnt from experience that anything harsher will cause me to break-out. This is also very quick.

When Cam was very little, I was known to either not wear any makeup as I was simply too tired, or I would put on my concealer with some bronzer which doubled as eyeshadow. Luckily, I have more time these days.

A good way to get your makeup done in 5 minutes is to use a good-quality concealer that you know will last the day and that will hide those tired eyes (Such as Lancome Flash Retouche Brush On Concealer $45 from Fresh). Use a powder (MAC Mineralize Skin Finish is fantastic) to seal your face and ensure that the concealer lasts the day. Use a bronzer on your cheeks and eyes (one like Makeup Forever Mat Bronze Bronzing Powder), therefore giving your face some much-needed colour after a sleepless night.  A great mascara (Kevyn Aucoin Curling Mascara I cannot rave about enough) also opens up your eyes. To finish, put on a coloured gloss (L’Occitanne Cherry Blossom Lip Gloss provides a light colour, lots of gloss and no stickiness). There, you’re done in 5 minutes!  Now, where did put my mug?