Can we all agree that the pressure to look our best in spite of the chaos of our daily routines is tough?! And can we also admit that keeping up with the Janices of beauty gets pretty darn expensive for the average mom? Yes, it does! The good news is that it really doesn’t take too much to keep yourself looking great and you don’t have to break the bank to do it.
By investing in the five beauty products I’ve listed below and adopting simple routines you can look like a million-dollar mommy even on the worst of days.
Following these tips will be as simple as the routines and I promise you they won’t cost you a fortune. As a beauty product connoisseur, I love testing out the latest skincare trends and buying whatever buzz-worthy beauty tech tool skincare influences swear by, but what I’ve found is that no matter the hype, sticking with tried-and-true beauty basics works just as well for my skin.
Here’s five budget-friendly beauty investments that have never failed me and I’m positive won’t fail you either, no matter your skin type, age, or skincare issues:
1. Hair, skin and nail supplements
For healthy hair, skin and nails, invest in vitamins formulated with biotin, vitamins, and powerful antioxidants to combat signs of aging. The average bottle of supplements can cost anywhere from $6-$20 dollars, and for an extra skin boost, I recommend picking up a liquid or collagen powder that can be added to food and drinks as well.
2. Soft-bristle, manual, facial brush
Gentle facial exfoliation helps unclog pores, reduce acne, even skin tone, and helps your skincare products penetrate the skin surface better. The circular motion of cleaning with a manual facial brush also boosts circulation, and lymphatic drainage will help you retain a more youthful appearance. My personal favorite is the CALA dual-action facial cleansing brush that costs $6 dollars and is designed with an exfoliating brush head on one side and a fine bristle brush head on the other side.
3. Create a daily, highly effective, skincare routine
A basic skincare routine includes the following products: face wash, toner (witch hazel is awesome), and a moisturizer(s) to restore the pH levels of your skin to prevent dryness. Everyone’s skin type is different which means you should determine which type you fall under the most and tailor your products to best serve your needs. The five basic skin types are normal, oily, dry, combination, and sensitive. Over-the-counter face wash, toners, and moisturizers range from $5-$40 dollars so you can choose the products that fit your budget.
4. Skin firming overnight serum and daily moisturizer with SPF
Cleansing the skin inevitably leads to dryness because the oil that your skin naturally produces has been removed during the cleansing process. Restore hydration to your skin by following up wash routines with moisturizers. For daytime use, I recommend lighter moisturizers with an SPF of at least 30 for protection against skin cancer and sunburns, even in the winter months. A firming, nighttime moisturizer at bedtime provides additional anti-aging benefits while you sleep; both daytime and nighttime creams average around $8-$40 dollars depending on the brand.
5. Gentle teeth whitening toothpaste and mouthwash
If you’re a mom or an adult, coffee is probably a food group of its own for you (it certainly is for me), and with coffee come tooth stains — no matter how much you brush. The best thing I could have ever done to immediately improve my smile without breaking the bank was gargling twice a day with a gentle tooth-whitening mouthwash. A large bottle of whitening mouthwash will set you back a whopping $10-$20 bucks, but will last an entire month or more and yield improved results fairly quickly. Whiter teeth will automatically improve your appearance overall, guaranteed.
So that’s it, believe it or not. Every item and skincare routine suggested is one that I utilize and one which keeps my skin issues in check even when I’m stressed out, lacking sleep, hormonal, or frankly feeling too darn lazy to deal with overly complicated beauty routines.
