Recently, I shared a snapshot of my feet in a pair of new sandals from Target. These adorable gladiator-inspired shoes with a wraparound ankle strap marked my first non-athletic footwear purchase since becoming a mother—one full year into this journey with my second child. (Is it still considered postpartum? I feel like I just gave birth yesterday.) My Target sandals are stylish, affordable, and comfy—a total win in the mom department. Naturally, I was eager to flaunt them to my five Instagram followers.
Not long after posting, I received a text from my bestie: “GET A PEDICURE ASAP.” Upon inspecting my picture, I realized she was right. My right toenail had grown long enough to resemble a witch’s claw, and the left one was jagged enough to cut someone. In a world filled with perfect nail art and trendy hashtags, my unkempt nails felt completely out of place. I couldn’t recall the last time I enjoyed a peaceful afternoon at the nail salon. This made me reflect on how my beauty standards have shifted since taking care of not one, but two little humans.
Hair
Remember when regular haircuts and highlights were a priority? There was a time when I adhered to the “every six weeks” haircut rule as if it were a sacred law. Now, I chuckle at that notion. After the birth of my first child, it took ages for me to address my skunk stripe. I even hired someone from a local mom group to do highlights at home while I nursed my wailing 10-week-old. The experience was chaotic; my baby screamed, the stylist ended up with bleach stains on her pants, and my hair turned out more white than blonde. This fiasco led to an expensive corrective procedure months later because I couldn’t find a trustworthy babysitter in time.
When my second child came along, I was already two years into the miracle of ombre. Low-maintenance and budget-friendly, it fit seamlessly into my new lifestyle. Is ombre still fashionable? Frankly, I don’t care. If it works, why change it? However, when I started shedding clumps of hair three months post-birth, I faced near bald spots at my temples. Eventually, I had to chop my hair shorter than ever and update my ombre. Though I felt better afterward, I realized I’m now more of a twice-a-year haircut gal. With less time for blow-drying or styling, I’ve found my hair is healthier, and my wallet is too.
Waxing
Pre-motherhood, I was a monthly waxing devotee. After my daughter’s arrival, my visits dwindled to a few torturous sessions a year. I’ve accepted that I’m not destined to join the hairless cat club. My expensive at-home laser? I’ve only used it once; it takes far too long. Those rare quiet moments are better spent indulging in activities I truly enjoy instead of enduring hot wax on areas I’d only show to my husband. Don’t worry, there won’t be any close-ups of my bikini line on social media anytime soon.
Nails
As previously mentioned, time is a luxury I don’t have. You make time for what matters, so perhaps I just don’t prioritize nails as much anymore. As delightful as it would be to sport intricate nail art, I know they’d last only five minutes before getting lost in my toddler’s smoothie or snapping off while wrestling with kid’s clothes. For now, I’ll settle for short, polish-less nails that look decent enough because I’m not coating them in toxic paint. At least that’s what I’ll tell myself when my best friend arrives with her freshly painted spring pedicure, reminding me of how lovely it would be to luxuriate at the nail salon.
Makeup
Makeup has always held a special place in my heart. It’s my secret weapon for looking somewhat alive in family photos taken two weeks after giving birth. While I’ve shifted to a more casual routine—favoring mascara and tinted lip balm for daily wear—I still cherish how makeup can elevate my mood. However, I’ve grown comfortable leaving the house without it, which is perhaps the most unexpected gift my children have given me: I’m 50% less vain and 100% happier.
Motherhood has undoubtedly transformed my beauty budget, grooming rituals (some weeks, I might skip deodorant altogether, but that’s another story), and the time I devote to my appearance. Yet, I still enjoy putting in effort to look nice. I hope my occasional red lipstick days teach my daughter and son that it’s perfectly fine to want to feel beautiful and to have fun with one’s appearance. It’s equally acceptable to let roots grow and nails go natural. When beauty routines start interfering with the things you love, they simply aren’t worth it.
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In summary, my beauty standards have evolved significantly since becoming a mom. While I’ve learned to embrace a more relaxed approach to grooming, I still find joy in moments of self-care. Motherhood has taught me that beauty can be found in simplicity and that it’s okay to let some things slide while prioritizing what truly matters.
Keyphrase: Mom’s Changing Beauty Standards
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