Not too long ago, I shared a snapshot of my feet in a pair of adorable sandals from Target. These stylish gladiator-style shoes with a wraparound ankle strap marked the first non-athletic footwear I added to my collection after becoming a mom for the second time. It’s been a whole year since my little one arrived, and I still feel like I just gave birth. Is that even considered postpartum?
These sandals are cute, affordable, and super comfy—a true win in the realm of motherhood. Naturally, I was eager to showcase them to my small audience of five followers on Instagram.
Almost immediately, my best friend texted me: “YOU NEED A PEDICURE NOW!” I glanced back at the photo and realized she was spot on. My right toenail had grown so long it resembled a witch’s claw, while my left looked like it could inflict injury with its jagged edge. In a world full of dazzling nail art and trending hashtags, my neglected nails simply didn’t fit in. I couldn’t even recall the last time I enjoyed a peaceful moment at the nail salon. This made me reflect on how dramatically my beauty routine has evolved since welcoming my two little ones.
Hair
Remember when routine haircuts and highlights were a given? There was a time when I adhered to the “every six weeks” haircut rule. Now, that seems downright laughable.
With my first child, it took ages before I even thought about my roots. I found someone in a local moms’ group to come to my house and highlight my hair while I nursed my 10-week-old, who refused to take a bottle. What a fiasco! My baby wailed the entire time, the stylist ended up with bleach stains on her dark pants, and my hair turned out more white than blonde—think snow leopard vibes! This mishap led to a costly corrective procedure down the line, as I struggled to find a babysitter I felt comfortable with.
Fast forward to baby number two. By then, I had discovered the beauty of ombre hair—low maintenance and budget-friendly. Is ombre out of style now? Honestly, I don’t really care. If it works, why change it? However, when I started losing clumps of hair three months after my son was born, I had no choice but to chop it all off. The thought of sitting in a salon chair, flipping through outdated magazines while there were dishes to wash and stories to write, was not appealing.
When I finally got my hair cut into a shorter style with an updated ombre, I felt a bit better—though I’m now more of a twice-a-year salon visitor. I hardly ever blow dry or style my hair anymore, and I think my hair is healthier—and my wallet is happier.
Waxing
Before motherhood, monthly waxing sessions were a given. After my daughter was born, I resorted to this painful process a few times a year. Now, I’ve embraced the fact that I’m not part of the hairless cat family. That expensive at-home laser device? I’ve used it once. It takes way too long. Instead, I prefer to spend those rare quiet moments doing something I enjoy rather than enduring a waxing session. And don’t worry, I won’t be sharing any bikini close-ups anytime soon.
Nails
As previously mentioned, time is scarce. Maybe I just don’t care as much anymore. While I’d love to have intricate nail art like a Kardashian, I know it wouldn’t last long. I’d probably lose a charm in my toddler’s smoothie (where I sneak in all the greens) or break them while trying to button my kid’s sweater. For now, I’ll stick with short, polish-free nails that look reasonably healthy because I’m not slathering them in toxic paint.
Makeup
Makeup has always been a love of mine. How else would I look somewhat alive in family photos just two weeks after my son was born? While I’ve shifted to a more low-key routine—mascara and tinted lip balm for everyday looks—I still cherish the confidence makeup brings me. Interestingly, I’ve become more comfortable leaving the house without it, which is a unique gift my children have given me: a 50% reduction in vanity that has brought me 100% more happiness.
Motherhood has significantly altered my beauty budget, grooming habits, and the amount of time I spend on my appearance. Still, I enjoy getting dolled up every now and then. I hope that my spontaneous red-lipstick moments teach my children that it’s perfectly okay to want to feel beautiful and to have fun with their appearance. But it’s equally fine to let things slide, let those roots grow, and embrace natural nails. When beauty routines start to infringe on the things that truly matter, they lose their value.
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In summary, my beauty standards have evolved dramatically since becoming a mother. While my routines have simplified, the essence of feeling beautiful remains important, even if it looks different now.