Since I’ve started reading beauty magazines again - mainly because they are sitting around at home from my sister’s old subscriptions, I’ve started taking better care of my health and appearance and self since giving birth to my second daughter.  Mothers these days can still be hot and sometimes, it doesn’t take plastic surgery or 2 hours of pampering to achieve the same results.  I’ve tried to summarize techniques that I use for yummy mummies who have little or no time to become that fabulous mom (and wife). 

Check them out:

Sit and stand straight

This is probably one of the most redundant things for me to say, but nevertheless, we find ourselves slouching at the dinner table, the computer, even when we’re carrying our kids.  If you stand and sit straight, you can help work out your tranverse abdominis, see this article I wrote on “Losing Your Mummy Tummy“.  I now make a conscious effort to suck it in when I can and I’ve noticed that it helps my posture, my back and my tummy.

Go Japanese ionic hair straightening

Ionic Hair Straightening is a chemical process by which they make your hair pin straight.  This isn’t a 5-minute process.  For my hair length, it’s a 4-6 hour process depending on your salon, but the benefits are worth it.  I have semi-straight hair - which means it’s not perfectly straight and if untreated, becomes a weed garden.  Once you have it straightened, you virtually don’t need to brush it - it looks salon styled ALL THE TIME.  So you just get out of bed and go.  I will straighten it about once every 1.5 years and it’s fabulous (see my picture under the ABOUT link - see how straight and “perfect” my hair is?)

Flower it up

If you roll out of bed, you can simply tie up your hair in a messy bun with a flowered hair tie.  I wouldn’t recommend doing it with a pony tail, but if you are able to achieve that messy look with a bun than it looks pretty with the flower (almost as if you were on vacation in Hawaii or something).  It’s simple, quick and the flower makes you accessorized without overdoing it.

 Use powdered foundation with SPF

Protect your skin while creating a smooth even skin-toned surface for your make-up.  I use Shu Uemera’s SPF 22 Foundation-Powder.  It’s one-quick easy step with much needed sun protection.  I will add a blusher and then eyeliner and the process takes about 2 minutes once you’ve got it down pat.

Remember the earrings

Putting on earrings takes very little time, but the accessory can go a long way.  I usually wear a pair of tear drop diamond earrings that my mother gave me for my wedding.  I will also switch between hoops or some nice chandeliers, but I’ve always gotten comments on them when I go out.  Again, it takes virtually no time but the effects can be stunning.

Maintain your eyebrows

Your eyebrows are an integral part of your face.  If you keep them clean and well shaped, it will open up your face and of course look better.  I got mine shaped from Shu Uemera (cost $250 HKD) about 1 month ago.  The process takes about 10-15 minutes and since then, I’ve only tweezed a few strays here and there to keep it up.  You probably won’t need to have them re-shaped unless you really neglect them.  See my brows here.

In the summer, fancy up your toes

If it’s summer, paint your toenails.  I usually paint them in the evening and then go to sleep with my feet dangling out of the sheets so they can dry overnight.  I will do bright colours (reds and pinks) so that if I’m wearing sandels (and I usually always do), you’ll see something nice.  I don’t let them grow very long.  In fact, I trim them quite short so that I don’t need to maintain them for up to 2 months.

Use a powerful moisturized body cleanser

To help maintain sumptously well watered skin, use a powerful moisturized body cleanser.  In Hong Kong, I rarely have to cream my body if I’m using a moisturized body cleanser.  I suggest any Dove products, they are rich in moisturizers, affordable and can be purchased anywhere.  Although, I don’t think I would use this on my face.

Use an even more powerful facial moisturizer

For those who know me, after becoming a certified esthetician, I am a fanatic of facial moisturizing.  Your face can’t get enough (unless you’re oily and even then you’re ahead of the game) moisturizing - especially during winter months.  If  I’m going make-up free, I moisturize at least 3-4 times a day and I use a powerful moisturizer fit for my skin.  Of course, I am still a big supporter of Dermalogica and even though the smell is pretty neutral, I love it!

So those are a few techniques that I follow and use during my reign as yummy mummy in the house.  Ever bit counts and it’s all for you.  Sometimes, you need to let go and give back to yourself - even though you’ve already given 150% to your kids, husband, house and job and there’s virtually no juice left.  But every good-looking mummy will feel good about HERSELF and really, that’s all you need to be a yummy mummy.