Did you know that women spend an average of three years of their life getting ready in the morning? Since the "Back To School Season" is upon us, most of us busy, budgeted ladies will be frantically worrying about applying enough makeup to not look like the undead in the morning, or finding ways to comb our hair while we coast through the carpool lane. Instead of wasting more hours and time of your life with the morning routine, try using these simple tips and tricks for streamlining your schedule (while still looking good)...

Use Your Baby's Products

If you're a new mom or have young children, you can multitask in the morning by using their products to cleanse and tone your face. For example, a baby wipe makes a fabulous cleanser in the morning (apply in a circular motion for an exfoliating effect), and all natural (and affordable) witch hazel pads make a wonderful toner and pimple treatment. And if there isn't any lotion in sight, a small amount of diaper ointment can soothe dry skin and treat under eye wrinkles in no time! (I recommend this soothing, multitasking My Mama's Love Complete Skincare Curative).

Fake Clean Hair

Don't have time to wash your hair in the morning (who does?). It might sound cliche, but massaging a handful of baby powder into your roots (in a "shampoo" motion), leaving it for a few minutes and then gently restyling or flipping your hair can create the illusion of freshly cleaned locks. Less-known trick: if you're worried about your hair looking slightly grey, try mixing the baby powder (like natural Sweet P's No Talc Baby Powder) with a small dab of mineral eye shadow, foundation or facial powder in a corresponding shade to your hair (it's a fast and easy, inexpensive alternative to dry shampoo!).

Play Up One Feature

If you don't have time to completely make over your entire face using eye shadow, bronzer, blush, eye liner and so on..., try choosing one feature and accentuating that. My favorite trick is using Talika Lipocils Eyelash Extender to create long, thick eyelashes (which will help you look more awake and get away with wearing less makeup on the rest of your face). Just apply a few coats of your normal mascara, a few coats of the Eyelash Extender (which looks almost like black cotton candy), and then another coat of mascara. The tiny fibers will stick to your eyelashes and literally create the illusion of eyelash extensions, without the time or cost.

Fit In Toning

If you usually have zero time for both beauty and fitness during the day, try combining the two in the early morning hours. Vow to do squats while you’re washing your face, calf raises while brushing your teeth, or jumping jacks between each activity. You'll fit in a 10 minute, fat burning routine...before you've even poured that first cup of coffee! (Or you can use another favorite trick- add Smart Soles Exercise Insoles to any pair of shoes, and instantly turn them info fitness shoes. You can tone your legs and burn more calories, just by running around after your kids).

Multitask Your Minutes

When all else fails, choose products that do more than one thing. Use a shine serum (or gentle hydrating cream like Three Seeds Naturals) not only on your hair or face, but to groom your eyebrows, soothe your cuticles and moisturize your elbows too. Don't just use bronzer just on your cheeks, but mix with chapstick or lotion for a simple lip color (or eye shadow). You can even apply teeth whitening strips to your teeth while you’re fixing your hair or applying your makeup, and use the remaining pieces on your fingernails for an impromptu whitening manicure too. Voila!

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Bailey Vincent Clark is the founder of Makeover Momma (www.makeovermomma.com) and the proud mother of two little girls. Her web site helps budgeted mothers feel fit, fashionable and fabulous after kids, through videos, posts, Makeover Momma TV, and the continually evolving Makeover Momma shop with OpenSky. For more information, please e-mail  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Photos courtesy of Bailey and The Open Sky Project. Product photo features the Talika Eyelash Extender. Photo right is of Bailey and her two girls.

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V Digital Edition, Fall 2010

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