A 5 Minute Beauty Routine for New Moms

Becoming a new mom is a lot to handle. There are the late-night feedings and crying sessions, leaky breasts, healing body, and round-the-clock-care you never dreamed possible. No matter what your morning routine was before you became a mom, you now need to get ready quickly whether you like it or not. In the beginning, you probably won't even feel like brushing your hair, but giving yourself 5 minutes using easy beauty products can make you feel so much better and more confident, ready to tackle all that your new baby has to give you. New motherhood isn't glamorous by any means, and you probably won't be looking like a supermodel any time soon, but making a small effort with a fast beauty routine can make all the difference as you recover and take on your new role as mom. These products will help you look and feel your best in 5 minutes or less, which may be all you have in-between crying jags.

Cleanse and Exfoliate
Just washing your face can refresh you, especially when you don't have the time to take a shower. By choosing a combination cleanser and exfoliator, you're able to wash away the dirt and grime as well as remove dead skin cells that can make you look dull and tired. Try a product like Clarins One-Step Gentle Exfoliating Facial Cleanser to clean and exfoliate skin at the same time, in less than one minute. This step will also help wake you up after a long night with the baby.

Soothe Tired Eyes
One thing all new moms have in common is lack of sleep. And the first place this symptom shows up is under your eyes. Dark circles and bags are the tell-tale sign of new moms everywhere, but they don't have to define your look during this busy time of adjustment. After washing your face, apply an eye treatment below each eye to help minimize puffy skin and dark circles. My favorite daily eye treatment is Clinique's All About Eyes Serum De-Puffing Eye Massage. The roller ball application is extremely gentle and dispenses a cooling and soothing lightweight serum under each eye. You immediately feel refreshed, like you just used a gel mask or cucumber slices, all in the course of only 20 seconds. You will immediately feel the skin under your eyes tighten, and you will look more refreshed and well-rested than you actually are.

Moisturize and Even Out Skin Tone
Tired skin needs nourishment, so using a moisturizer formatted for your skin type will help your skin look and feel soft, smooth, and refreshed. Using a tinted moisturizer will not only nourish your skin, but the tint will help even out your skin tone as well. When your schedule is turned upside down from a baby, your skin can look uneven and blotchy; a tinted moisturizer smoothes out your skin and makes is look even and fresh. You can easily make your own by mixing a few drops of liquid foundation with your favorite moisturizer, or use a product such as Clinique's Moisture Sheer Tint SPF 15.

Smooth and Brighten Lips
Long days and nights will wear you out, and it's easy for this demanding new mom routine to dry out your lips. You may not have time to apply full makeup (and with a baby spitting up on you, it won't last long anyway!), but you can take care of your lips, which will brighten up your whole face. Try a tinted lip balm or gloss to smooth and hydrate dry lips with a sheer splash of color to make you look fresh and awake. My favorite daily lip treatment is SEPHORA COLLECTION Super Shimmer Lip Gloss, which moisturizes and plumps lips while applying subtle color. The shades are lightweight, so it's easy to apply this gloss even without a mirror and have it look fool-proof. Most days, this is the only makeup I wear, and it's just enough to brighten my whole face.

Style Your Hair
Doing your hair can take longer than taking care of your face and body combined, but when you're a new mom, you need a hairstyle that fits into a quick beauty routine. If you have time to take a shower, use a mousse or de-frizzing serum and let hair air-dry into curls or waves for an easy, yet beautiful look. Don't have time to bathe? Try pulling your hair into a ponytail or other easy up-do like a clipped twist that takes only a minute to complete. Invest in some hair elastics or clips that have a special embellishment on them so you look more put-together than you feel. And don't worry: you'll have time to style your hair again, but for now, opting for a quick solution will save your sanity and give you more time to focus on your precious new bundle.

You may not feel great in the early weeks and months of new motherhood, but you can look great in only 5 minutes with the above routine. Taking a small amount of time for the basics will help you feel more relaxed and pulled together, and it may even reacquaint you with your pre-baby self, at least until the next feeding.