New Mom Beauty Essentials

My Pregnancy Skin Care Routine

July 8, 2016

During my pregnancy with Hampton, I caked shea butter on my stomach and hips every day, but still got stretch marks. With Sophie, I knew I wanted to try something different. I read on other blogs that some women were using coconut oil and thought I would give it a try! It worked wonders because I didn’t get any new stretch marks! Hallelujah! This pregnancy, my face has been breaking out like crazy. It’s disgusting and has been driving me insane. I knew I needed to do some research and make more of an effort as far as a pregnancy skin care routine if I wanted anything to change.

I came across TULA products and read wonderful things about them. TULA means “balance” in Sanskrit and they use probiotics in every product that nourish your body. I knew I wanted to try the purifying face scrub and revitalizing eye cream, for sure. The dark circles under my eyes have been terrible lately – probably due to my lack of sleep (hello, pregnancy insomnia). I have been using TULA products for a couple of weeks now and love them! I’m always nervous to try new skin care products because I am very picky, but I am so glad I tried these because I am a new fan.

My pregnancy skin care routine is simple. I wash my face and moisturize it every morning and every night right before bed. I put on the eye cream right before bed every night. I cake my stomach, hips, butt and legs in coconut oil multiple times a day (at least three) or every time I’m feeling dry/itchy.

That’s it! I have been able to tell a difference in my skin these last couple of weeks and I can’t wait to see how much it improves over time. There is no time like the present to get your skin under control – pregnant, or not! AmIright?

I received product for this post but opinions are my own.

My Morning Routine

August 10, 2015

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #SchooledByBeauty #CollectiveBias

Mornings are always so busy around our house. Both of my babies are very awake when they decide to wake up – which is usually around 6:00 a.m. With me being in charge of diaper changes and breakfast in the mornings, I have to be awake and alert. I have a really simple morning routine that always helps me jump start my day. If I’m really lucky, I get to take a shower in the morning. Most of the time, however, I take mine at night right before bed. If that is the case, I head to the kitchen and make myself (and my husband) a cup of coffee. I am not a morning person. I don’t know if I ever will be. I definitely function better if it is later in the day. This reminds me so much of my college days. It is officially back-to-school time and I have been nostalgic and reflective on my time in school. It felt similar to how I feel now – running on little sleep.

What helped me through college and is helping me now as a new mother was a simple morning routine. After I enjoy some coffee, I head to the bathroom and wash my face with Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Scrub Pink Grapefruit. My grandfather always taught me to wash my face every morning and every night before bed. He drilled that in my head and I will always remember that. I’ve done this for as long as I can remember. I then use Neutrogena’s Pink Grapefruit Oil-Free Acne moisturizer to make my skin baby soft! I love soft skin and I am kind of a lotion hoarder. I put lotion on multiple times a day because it feels so good.

After cleaning and moisturizing, I then begin to apply a light layer of make-up starting with Neutrogena Skinclearing Mineral Powder. I love this product and have been using it for years. It is so affordable and great for your skin. My dermatologist actually recommended that I used this when I was a teenager and having problems with my skin. I have loved using it since. It is light and airy and offers the perfect amount of coverage without feeling like you’re wearing a mask.

Now through September 9th you can purchase three Neutrogena facial products and get one free! You can also get 10% off all Neutrogena cosmetics when using Target’s Cartwheel app through August 29th!

Be sure to check out more Neutrogena beauty products here! Which would you like to try?

Woman’s Essentials For Achieving Confidence

December 16, 2014

Thank you to ThirdLove for providing me with beautiful new lingerie. All opinions are 100% my own.

It is so important for a woman to feel confident. Whether it is make-up, yoga, or that perfect liquid line that helps you achieve that feeling, it doesn’t matter. What matters is that you feel confident from the inside out. It makes life so much easier. Some of my essentials to achieving this confident feeling are:

Running. I just began running a year ago and I have become addicted. I don’t feel like myself if I don’t run at least every other day. I’ve had to cut back a bit in the last couple of weeks, but I have been able to keep it up throughout my pregnancy and look forward to continuing after baby girl is born. It makes me feel healthy, toned and confident in myself.

Coffee. I have a one-year old. Need I say more? Without that morning jolt, I am a complete zombie. I definitely need my coffee.

The FRESH Sugar Ruby Red Shade and Lip Treatment. I put this on and I’m like BAM. That reminds me, this kind of goes along with my next essential…

Every woman needs that one in her life that is dependable, reliable, comforting, loving and supportive. I’m talking about the perfect bra. The mesh plunge bra from ThirdLove is all of these things to me and more. Of course, I had to get a matching pair of panties to go with it. I mean, every woman needs a beautiful set (no pun intended). Am I right? ThirdLove makes it so easy to figure out your size by using their fit guide and purchase your new beautiful lingerie quickly and efficiently. This pregnant mama definitely needs her support, and I couldn’t be more pleased with this product.

What are some of the essentials that help you feel confident? Do you have that perfect supportive bra?

Beauty Essentials for New Moms

April 8, 2014

Post contains affiliate links.

Blame it on my 21+ years of dance recitals and competitions, but I hate wearing a lot of make up. It makes me feel like I’m wearing a mask. To this day I can not wear liquid base. Gag. I love to let my face “breathe.” and therefore I do not wear a ton of make up.

Once you become a new mom, you have much less no time to stand around and primp like you used to. You will have little time to experiment with things. Even if you get a minute to yourself, you’ll probably jump at the opportunity to shower for the first time all week day. With that being said, I have had to super simplify my beauty routine. Honestly though, I love it. It is so much easier and you still look and feel great. Maybe even healthier than before. Simple is always best, right? Okay, so here are the items I have narrowed down to:

Mascara – I use Maybelline New York The Colossal Volum’ Express. It is amazing to me how much a little mascara will do for you. It opens your eyes and makes you look awake and alert no matter how little sleep you got the night before. Just what you need! Throw in a little coffee and people may mistake you for an actual human, not the Zombie that you feel you’ve become! Yea!

EOS Lip Balm – I love lip balm and put it on multiple times a day. It bothers me if my lips feel dry. Go ahead and do yourself a favor and stock up on it. Put it in your purse (hah! like you still have a purse!), diaper bag, hospital bag, car, etc. Stock. Up. I use EOS the most because I love the way it feels and I love the little compact it comes in as well. My favorite is the Sweet Mint.

Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter – I’m addicted to this stuff. I have most of the shades now. My favorite is Strawberry Shortcake. I’ve always heard that a trick to disguise tired eyes is adding a little lipstick to draw people’s attention to your lips rather than your eyes. You will need and use this trick every time you leave the house. I love the Revlon Lip Butter because it is very moisturizing and the colors are subtle.

Neutrogena Skinclearing Blemish Concealer
– Concealer will be your best friend. Dab it under those eyes and on blemishes every day. It will make you feel like a new woman. I love to use the Neutrogena Skinclearing brand because it well, clears your skin. It’s perfect for post pregnancy because your hormones are going crazy and if you’re like me, you’ll break-out like a 15 year old all over again.

Powder – Again, I use the Neutrogena skinclearing powder. It’s light but still covers well.

Vaseline – I am not a grandma, but this stuff is my favorite. I love to rub it on my feet and put socks on to sleep in because you wake up with the softest feet in the world. I also dab it under my eyes before bed because it helps those puffy dark circles you get from the lack of sleep thing. Just trust me and try it!

Jergens Lotion – Again, I’m not a grandma. This is the best lotion I’ve tried. It makes my skin so incredibly soft. No it doesn’t smell like that Amber Romance from B&BW or whatever you’re into, but it is actually good for your skin and will save you a ton of money in the long run.What are some beauty products you can’t live without?

Do you use Vaseline? Tell me I’m not the only one…