Recently, I shared a photo showcasing my feet adorned in a new pair of gladiator sandals from Target. These stylish yet affordable shoes marked my first non-athletic footwear acquisition since entering motherhood for the second time. Even though I’m already a year into this journey, I still feel as if I’ve just given birth.
These sandals were a delightful find—chic, budget-friendly, and comfortable—a true win in the realm of motherhood. Naturally, I was eager to flaunt them on social media, even to my modest audience of five followers on Instagram.
Moments after posting, I received a text from my closest friend urging me to “GET A PEDICURE ASAP.” Upon reflection, I realized she was spot on. My right toenail appeared to be curling ominously, resembling a witch’s talon, while the left had a jagged edge that could easily become a weapon. In a world where nail art reigns supreme and hashtags abound, my neglected nails felt entirely out of place. I couldn’t even recall the last time I enjoyed an uninterrupted moment in a nail salon chair. This prompted a deeper contemplation of how my beauty routine has shifted since becoming a mother to two little ones.
Hair Care
Remember the days when regular haircuts and highlights were a staple? There was a time when I adhered to the “every six weeks” haircut rule. Now, it seems laughable. After my first child, months went by before I addressed the unsightly skunk stripe in my hair. I even hired someone from a local moms’ Facebook group to come to my home for highlights while I nursed my 10-week-old who refused the bottle.
The experience was chaotic; my baby wailed throughout, the stylist ended up with bleach stains on her clothes, and my hair turned out a shocking white instead of blonde. This mishap necessitated an expensive corrective treatment months later, as finding a trusted babysitter was a challenge.
By the time baby No. 2 arrived, I had embraced the beauty of ombre—a low-maintenance style that fit my budget and lifestyle perfectly. Whether the ombre trend has faded or not is irrelevant; if it works, why change it? However, when I began losing large clumps of hair three months postpartum, I was left with sparse spots and messy strands. Ultimately, I had no choice but to chop my hair shorter than ever and update my ombre. Although I felt better after the cut, I’m now a twice-a-year salon visitor. Ironically, my less frequent styling has resulted in healthier hair and a happier wallet.
Waxing and Grooming
Pre-motherhood, I would schedule monthly waxing appointments. Now, I engage in this self-care ritual only a few times a year. I’ve let go of the fantasy of being hairless and have relegated my expensive at-home laser to a corner—it simply takes too much time. I prefer to spend those rare quiet moments enjoying myself rather than enduring the pain of waxing. I won’t be sharing any close-ups of my bikini area anytime soon, much to the relief of my friends.
Nail Care
As highlighted earlier, time constraints have altered my nail care routine as well. While I admire elaborate nail designs, they would be short-lived given my lifestyle. I can easily envision a charm from my manicure ending up in my toddler’s smoothie or having to deal with broken nails as I wrestle with my child’s clothing. For now, I stick to short, unpolished nails that look reasonably healthy, and I comfort myself with the idea that I’m avoiding toxic nail products. But I won’t deny that I sometimes envy my friend’s freshly done pedicure.
Makeup
Makeup remains a passion of mine. It’s what allows me to look somewhat alive for family photos, especially just weeks after giving birth. My everyday routine has simplified, relying on mascara and tinted lip balm, but I still appreciate the confidence that comes from makeup. Surprisingly, I’ve grown more comfortable leaving the house without it. This newfound ease, a gift from motherhood, has made me 50% less vain while increasing my happiness.
Motherhood has significantly impacted my beauty budget, grooming habits, and the time I invest in my appearance. However, I still enjoy getting dressed up occasionally. My spontaneous red lipstick days serve as a lesson for my children: it’s important to feel beautiful and have fun with one’s appearance, yet it’s equally okay to embrace natural beauty. When beauty routines detract from what truly matters, they cease to be worth the effort.
In conclusion, embracing a more relaxed approach to beauty has allowed me to focus on the joys of motherhood and the meaningful moments with my children, instead of being consumed by societal standards. For those on similar journeys, resources like Resolve offer excellent insights into family planning, while Make a Mom provides valuable information on fertility journeys. And if you’re seeking ways to enhance fertility, check out Boost Fertility Supplements for additional support.
Keyphrase: Motherhood and Beauty Standards
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