MY 5-MINUTE SKIN & HAIR ROUTINE

MY 5-MINUTE SKIN & HAIR ROUTINE

I truly believe that I never valued time (or lack thereof) before becoming a mummy. I mean, I thought I was time poor and super busy pre-baby – boy, did I HAVE NO CLUE. Granted, I wouldn’t swap it for the world – but it’s just a little reflection of life after baby: that time, will never be the same again. So I’ve swiftly had to make some amends to my days; identifying what really matters – especially when it comes to my morning beauty routine.

To me, getting ready, having a shower and making myself look presentable for the day ahead, has always been a priority from the very beginning of motherhood. Not so much for anyone else, but mainly for myself – making me feel (somewhat) fresh, and ready to tackle a new day! The key was to identify a quick and natural hair and face look, which was realistic to achieve, with only 5 minutes to spare…

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When time is so limited – it’s important to really be able to identify products which are effective, quick to apply and which gives immediate results, no messing about. I swear I have reduced my beauty cabinet by half since becoming a mummy (donating the rest to friends and family), and really simplifying my day-to-day routine and core essentials. No more layering of various serums, oils, creams, and other magic potions. So, except for the weekends, when daddy steps in and mummy gets to spend more time pampering – here is my step-to-step routine and go-to essentials – to achieve that natural hair & make-up look, for every day life at the moment.

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STEP 1: Preparation

I’m all about the skin prep. Which in turn enables me to get ready in just 5 minutes. What do I mean by skin prep? Essentially, getting the skin to a better starting point, so there’s not so much make-up and products needed! How do I do this? Aside from lots of water to keep the skin as hydrated and soft as possible; my secret beauty weapon lies in the best self tanning product I’ve yet to have come across. Gone are the days of using cheap and nasty products, giving you that dark orange hue (thank god I’m over that stage) – and in comes Tan Luxe’s Sleep Oil. I’m a big fan of the brand in general and use several of their products – but the Sleep Oil in particular, is my personal favourite. This super lightweight overnight tanning oil, gives you that perfect hydrated and radiant skin. With ingredients such as raspberry, jojoba, marula and apricot oils, using marine moisture technology, formulated with cell-regen C complex – it not only makes you look better, it’s also pretty good for your skin. Hooray! I use it a few times a week to maintain a natural looking glow.

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STEP 2: The Base Layer

Come morning time, after I’ve washed my face with lukewarm water, I’m ready to apply my skincare base. I start off with a few sprays of Caudalie’s Beauty Elixir (which is a beauty cult favourite, for good reason). It helps to soothe, tone and re-energize the skin – restoring radiance, enhance moisture levels and leave the skin glowing… It’s a multi use product which can be used as a make-up primer, or just when your skin needs that extra boost of hydration! I religiously use it every morning after cleansing.

Right after the spray, I lightly dab on some eye cream. I’m currently using Perricone MD’s H2 Energy Elemental De-Puffing Eye Gel (I need all the de-puffing I can get at the moment, that’s for sure!) – and although there’s definitely no cream which can erridicate my sleepless nights being a new mama – this cooling and soothing eye gel, does really help with puffiness, dryness and my fine lines. It’s also super gentle and lightweight, and just feels so nice to use every morning.

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Next step, is adding a hit of moisture to the skin! This part used to be the most expansive part of my morning routine; with layers (and layers) of various serums and face oils. I just wanted all the goodness all at once. But since becoming a mama, and having to really strip down my skincare routine – focusing on quality, versus quantity – my skin has actually, never looked better. All that layering was clogging up my skin, and as soon as I simplified my routine, and started using less products, my skin has felt so much clearer.

I still use an oil in the morning, and I’ve recently started mixing the oil into my moisturiser, applying it all together. This part has also proven to be a great switch – giving me that real boost of double moisture all in one, and of course, saving on time. I’m currently using the Marula Pure Beauty Oil – I had personally never come across the brand, but so far, I’m so impressed! I’m a big fan of facial oils and serums in general, but I find many too heavy, greasy and strong scented. Marula oil (clinically proven to have more antioxidants than Argan Oil), is super light, fast absorbing and non-greasy. Suitable for all skin types, it really helps to hydrate, firm and give long-lasting skin hydration all day long.

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I mix 2-3 drops of the oil into a scoop of Elemis’s Pro-Collagen Marine Cream SPF30 – my favourite daily moisturiser of ALL TIME. This is by far, THE BEST moisturiser on the market (I’m using capital letters to get across my point!). Never has a product changed my skin in a way that this tub of miracle cream has. Firstly, it feels so good on the skin. Silky and smooth, not too thick, not too thin. It smells divine, and as soon as you apply it, you feel like you’ve just infused a whole load of water into your pores – giving that instant look of plumpness, hydration and glow. Named as “the ultimate anti-ageing cream”, for good reason! And the best part? It’s recently launched with an SPF30 version, so no need for applying any other beauty products for coverage – this tub of cream does it all.

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STEP 3: Hair Re-Fresh

To control my mane, add shine and bounce back into it – I’ve religiously been using the Gisou Honey Infused Hair Oil for the past few months. Created by super blogger and influencer, Negin Mirsalehi, it’s naturally had a lot of hype around it, as well as it being quite expensive. So I was sceptical, yet curious! In the end I decided to take the plunge and try it for myself, and I’m pleased to say that I’ve never used a better hair oil in my life. With the signature Mirsalehi Honey, Almond Oil and Coconut Oil – it gives instant moisture, adds strength, helps to rebuild and repair, and adds natural bounce and volume, without leaving my hair too heavy (which so many hair oils can do). And in regards to the price; this product goes a long way! I’ve been using this oil just about every day – either to add moisture to my ends, smooth and add  natural bounce to my mane, mixed in with a treatment mask, after shampooing, pre styling or overnight – and I’ve still got 80% left of the bottle. So it’s definitely worth the investment in my opinion, and has officially become one of my daily can’t-live-without beauty staples. 

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STEP 4: Conceal

Moving onto the final step with my make-up, using the best concealer on the market: the NARS’s Soft Matte Complete Concealer. Since I’ve started using this concealer, I’ve completely ditched any kind of foundation, as this concealer is nothing short of a miracle worker. Non-drying, oil-free, and long-lasting – giving that super natural and soft, matte finish. It blurs any imperfections, it’s lightweight, never settles into the pores or lines, and keeps the skin moisturised. I use the shade ‘Macadamia’, which is the perfect neutral colour. I apply the concealer using the Bobbi Brown Foundation, applying it lightly underneath the eyes, around the nose, chin and anywhere else with any redness/imperfections. I find by just lightly dapping it on where it’s needed, instead of using a foundation on the entire face – gives a much more natural and lighter result.

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STEP 5: Add Colour

I’m all about multi-use beauty products, which both saves on time, as well as space in my make-up bag. So to add a natural looking, rosy glow and flush to my face, I like to use Guerlain’s Lip & Cheek Tint. The 2-in-1 gel is lightweight, easy to blend in, and very cleverly reacts to the skin pH to adapt to each skin tone – bringing out a real natural pink tone. This one is always in my bag, perfect for an on-the-go touch up!

After using the tint blusher, I lightly swipe on some bronzer, using Guerlain’s Terracotta Bronzing Powder, which I’ve been using for nearly 10 years now. It’s the best on the market, giving that long-lasting instant glow, without drying out the skin. I use shade 03 Naturel (Brunette), and apply it using a thick kabuki brush, for overall coverage. 

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STEP 5: Define

Now that I have concealed and added colour, I move onto the eyes, starting with the eyebrows. I’m currently using the Beauty Edit Mayfair Brow Filler, which is a really great product, as it lasts all day and gives defined, natural looking brows (I’m using colour ‘Taupe’.) To shape my brows, I’m also using the Beauty Edit Mayfair Brow Setter – a clear brow gel that sets and holds brows – and can be worn alone or with an eyebrow pencil. I really like this gel, as it doesn’t build up (which so many brow setters can do), whilst strengthening and conditioning the hair brows at the same time.

Onto the final step of my 5-minute morning routine, I swipe on Guerlain’s Maxi Lash So Volume! Mascara, which gives instant volume and thickness in a real deep black, precisely catching and coating every single lash. It’s also enriched with adhesive oils to prevent running or smudging, and lasts all day (which is pretty key, when it comes to mascara).

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Et voilà!

My 5-minute face & hair – ready to start my day with Rio. 

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6 Comments

    • Anneli Bush
      Author
      April 8, 2018 / 09:47

      :)

  1. Hannah
    February 12, 2018 / 19:23

    Gorgeous! Love this post. hX

    • Anneli Bush
      Author
      April 8, 2018 / 09:47

      Thank you Hannah! x

  2. Petra
    February 16, 2018 / 08:07

    Love it! Ur style is really nice! Would love If you could update your blog every day haha. Totally understanding -of course- that it’s not working now, but If I could dream haha. Your blog is so inspiring!
    Have a great friday,
    xx

    • Anneli Bush
      Author
      April 8, 2018 / 09:48

      Ah thanks Petra! I would love too as well, as I love to write and share content! :) Hopefully going forward, there will be more frequent content on here. Thanks for the support!

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