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Being a mom isn't easy.
Not only are you responsible for getting your little (or big) ones from point A to point B (and often C,D, and E), but if you're reading this blog, you probably want to look like you made at least some effort to look good while doing it, despite the fact that you typically have well under thirty minutes to get ready.
What's a girl to do?
Well, here are a few pointers!
First off, allow me to introduce you to your ultimate secret weapon: a makeup bag like this retro vibe double-zip clutch (Ulta, $13.50 on sale).
If you're doing any amount of picking up, dropping off, carpooling, chauffering, or chaperoning, then you, my mom friend, are spending a lot of time waiting in the car- and you owe it to yourself to keep an arsenal of quick pick-me-ups in a makeup bag stashed in your glove compartment or center well. Buy extras of whatever it takes to make you feel better about yourself in a hurry and DON'T let this bag leave the car. My bag (I haven't done this yet myself, although I keep swearing I'm going to) will include a small brush, lip gloss and a lip pencil, powder, eyeliner, mascara, and a barette to pull back my hair. It's like a first aid kit for the mom on the go!
Invest in a standout coat. I'm liking this Calvin Klein long-sleeve pea coat (Macy's, $129.98) in one of this season's hottest colors, red. Like it or not, you're going to have to get out of your car from time to time and a nice coat takes the attention away from... your pajamas.
Spring for a cute umbrella, like one of these awesome rain parade mini umbrellas (Fred Flare, $32). I've gotten caught in downpours while taking my daughter to/from school more times than I can count- Finally last spring, I bought one of Target's limited edition Liberty of London umbrellas. It definitely makes my rainy days brighter. And with that in mind...
Get yourself a fabulous pair of rainboots. Trust me, mom, you won't regret it! After ruining one too many pairs of shoes last year while walking my daughter to school, I splurged on a pair of red Hunter wellies- and they were worth every penny. Not only were they great for rainy days, but when it snowed, my feet stayed warm and dry.
You don't have to spend a bundle to find a cute pair, though. Search on Shopstyle for rain boots under $50- I did and turned up more than a hundred PAGES of results, including these amazing Dirty Laundry rain boots (Macy's, $49). WANT.
Finally, get yourself a pair of movie star-style sunglasses, the bigger the better to hide your bloodshot eyes and lack of makeup at 7 in the morning. I particularly like these rounded square plastic sunglasses (Express, $29.90). You'll look mah-velous, dahling!
Any more tips from the carpooling trenches, moms?
Images (top to bottom): Maria Ly/Flickr, Ulta, Macy's, Fred Flare, Macy's, Express
Comments (18)
I read The Stir every single day - usually end up reading every single blog. This is by far my favorite one of all time!!!!!!!!!!!! FINALLY someone thinks it's important to look good and stylish in the carpool line. My kids are juniors in high school - my looking fabulous is PARAMOUNT!!! Gonna check out the coat and boots link now. i have the makeup bag (in my purse at all times - that's why I carry a tote bag for a purse) and the cute umbrella. And of course the big sunglasses - a MUST for every mom!
Sorry, but as long as I'm not wearing jammies and my clothes are clean and fit, that's about all I care. I have to walk a mile each way to get my son, so really? I'm going more for comfort and functionality.
I'm such a butt about this, I know. Catch me when I'm thinner and care about my clothes again. :-/
I may have my PJs on under my coat, but I always at least brush my hair and put on mascara before heading to the school drop off. The day I don't is the day I get there, my daughter needs something signed in the office, and I have to park and go in. I've been doing the parenting thing long enough to know that THIS IS A TRUE AND IRREVOCABLE FACT. If I look like crap (or feel like I look like crap), I will need to go in. Also... I don't leave anything melty in my "emergency kit" in the car. I've got mascara and lip gloss, a brush, a travel sized hair spray, travel size deodorant AND those Colgate wisp disposal toothbrush thingies. EVERYONE SHOULD BUY THOSE THINGS. They are the fresh breath bomb.
Not carpooling yet.. but will take these ideas when its time too!
I'm gonna refer back to another post you've made:
Lip and cheek stain. Benetint is the BEST.
Without foundation, it still looks great and natural. Just dab it on and go. It goes on really sheer, and gives you a healthy amount of color. Follow with a rose salve like Smith's or C.O. Bigalow. Dab some of the salve on your lips, of course, but also on your upper cheek bones for an instant highlight (USE SPARINGLY). You will glow, even when you feel like the walking dead in the morning. Rosebud salve also makes a great eyeshadow primer and eyebrow tamer, so it's an all-in-one that saves room in your purse.
I love personal grooming kits! I don't sit in the pick up line yet but I do work full time and am frequently running late thus needing make up on the go.
I have a nail kit in the car at all times for broken nails and hang nails and I may have actually clipped my nails more than once at red lights.
I carry a make up and toothbrush kits in my purse and both come in handy on overnight trips since the 3-3-1 rule with airlines. Este Lauder gave me some tiny test bottles for foundation and concealer already comes in a small bottle. I have a 4 color lipstick tray that when emptied I shave off a lipstick and refill it; 4 colors tends to match anything I'm wearing.
Recently I've added deoderant since I've become more forgetful since having a second child.
Sun glassaes are a staple especially if you don't have time to bother with makeup. I always wear shades and theose boots are so cute. Great pointers. I follow all to a tee. You are so spot on .
I used to keep a small emergency bag in my car like that. I don't wear make up that often, but, when I do it's very minimal anyways. I put a small travel size deodorant in the glove box as well. One day, I went to my Work Out Buddies house and had COMPLETELY forgotten to put on my deodorant. Wouldn't you know it, it was melted! :-/