Authentic Beauty Hacks from Real Moms

As a mother, carving out moments for “me time” amidst the whirlwind of school runs, sports activities, and cooking can often feel like a monumental task, akin to teaching your toddler to use the potty. However, having young children doesn’t necessitate neglecting your own self-care routines. To uncover ways to incorporate a touch of beauty into your hectic schedule, we reached out to three entrepreneurial moms who shared insights into their daily beauty regimens. Their shared wisdom? A swipe of mascara can be incredibly transformative.

Courtenay Perks

“I dedicate time to myself so I can give more energy to my family. It’s essential to nourish yourself first,” explains Courtenay Perks, creator of the Whole Vegan Pantry blog. “When I prioritize self-love, that energy naturally extends to my children and husband.”

Her skincare secret

“Twice daily, I cleanse and exfoliate my skin using disposable gauze. I then apply a toner made with ½ cup witch hazel and 10 drops tea tree oil, followed by a hydrating moisturizer and eye cream. At least once a week, I indulge in an Epsom salts bath, give my body a dry brush treatment, and moisturize with hempseed oil. I let my hair air dry, which keeps it healthier.”

Her two-minute makeup hack

“As my work demands increase, I’ve started wearing less makeup, which I adore. My skin feels fresh and lively. If I do indulge in makeup, it’s a very quick routine: light foundation, concealer for my eye area, brow pencil, lip gloss, blush, mascara, and a simple liquid eyeliner. This whole process takes about two minutes.”

Her go-to ingredients

“Once or twice weekly, I use a homemade charcoal face mask that consists of ½ tsp charcoal powder, ½ tsp bentonite clay, ¼ tsp baking soda, ¼ tsp coconut oil, and 1 tsp water. I leave it on for 10 minutes before scrubbing it off. While in the infrared sauna, I apply coconut oil in my hair and rinse it out later for shininess.”

Her beauty advice for busy moms

“Focus on nourishing yourself from within. Hydrate more, consume more plant-based foods, and ensure daily movement. Prioritizing self-care is perfectly acceptable.”

Jennifer Rose Rossano

“Finding time for self-care is crucial for my well-being,” shares Jennifer Rose Rossano, writer for the plant-based parenting blog NeuroticMommy and mother of two. “While my routine isn’t perfect—there’s no glamorous setup like being fanned while enjoying grapes—I manage to get it done primarily after my kids are in bed. It’s not time-consuming; I’ve streamlined my process.”

Her skincare secret

“Evenings are for cleansing my face, followed by exfoliation and a spritz of toner or a face or hair mask, depending on my mood. Sometimes, I keep it simple with just castor oil on my face for a quick finish.”

Her two-minute makeup hack

“To avoid looking rushed when dropping my son off at school, I stick to tinted moisturizer and mascara. The tinted moisturizer brightens up my complexion, and mascara brings my eyes to life.”

Her must-have ingredients

“Lavender is my go-to for skincare; its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties are incredibly soothing. It also helps elevate your mood, making you feel relaxed. For hair care, I adore peppermint for its scalp-stimulating benefits, and I regularly use coconut or jojoba oil for hydration.”

Her beauty tip for busy moms

“Less is more, ladies!”

Sunny Subramanian

“As a single mother and entrepreneur managing two young boys, prioritizing self-care is vital for my mental health,” states Sunny Subramanian, the beauty guru behind Vegan Beauty Review. “I believe that to truly be present for others, I need to carve out time for self-care. I aim for at least a few moments of ‘me time’ each day, whether it’s just 15 minutes or a full hour.”

Her skincare secret

“At night, I begin by removing makeup with wipes or jojoba oil on a cotton pad, followed by a creamy cleanser blended with argan or grapeseed oil. After that, I tone and moisturize my skin with shea butter or beauty oils while I drift off to sleep.”

Her two-minute makeup hack

“On busy days when I need to keep my look simple, I rely on under-eye concealer, mascara, and tinted lip gloss. It’s surprising how these three essentials can make me feel instantly polished.”

Her must-have ingredients

“I’m passionate about using products containing argan oil, jojoba oil, grapeseed oil, hempseed oil, aloe, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, activated charcoal, and essential oils. I love all-natural ingredients that offer multiple benefits, whether for hydration, anti-aging, or detoxifying.”