Recently, I shared a photo of my feet in a pair of stylish new sandals from Target. These chic gladiator-inspired shoes, featuring a wraparound ankle strap, marked my first non-athletic footwear purchase since becoming a mom for the second time. (Can we even call it postpartum? I still feel like I just gave birth!) These sandals are adorable, affordable, and comfortable—definitely a win in the world of motherhood. Naturally, I was eager to flaunt them to my five Instagram followers.
Almost immediately, I received a text from my best friend saying, “GET A PEDICURE ASAP.” Upon closer inspection of the photo, I realized she was spot on. My right toenail was curling like a witch’s claw, while my left had a jagged edge that could probably draw blood. In a universe filled with elaborate nail art and beauty hashtags, my unkempt nails were out of place. I couldn’t even remember the last time I enjoyed a peaceful moment in a nail salon chair. This reflection made me think about how dramatically my beauty routine has shifted since I became a mom—twice over!
Hair Care
Remember when regular haircuts and highlights were part of life? There was a time when I adhered to the “every six weeks” haircut guideline. Now, it’s laughable. After my first child, it took months for me to address my roots. I even hired someone from a local mom’s Facebook group to come to my home for highlights while I nursed my 10-week-old. The result? A screaming baby, a stylist with bleach stains on her pants, and a hair color that was more snow leopard than blonde. This fiasco led to a costly corrective treatment months later when I finally found a babysitter I trusted.
When my second child arrived, I was two years into the best hair trend for busy moms: ombre. It’s easy, low-maintenance, and fits my budget and lifestyle perfectly. Is ombre out of style? Frankly, I don’t care. If it works, why change it? However, when I started losing clumps of hair three months after my son was born, I had to make a change. My hair was thinning in places, and I soon had to cut it shorter than I ever imagined. The thought of spending time in a salon when I had kitchens to clean and kids to care for felt daunting. But when I finally did get a haircut and updated my ombre, I felt a sense of relief. Now, I’m more of a twice-a-year haircut person, and my hair is healthier for it.
Waxing and Grooming
Before motherhood, I was a regular at the waxing salon—monthly, in fact. After my daughter’s birth, I found myself only going a few times a year. I’ve finally accepted that I’m not destined to be part of the hairless cat brigade. That at-home laser treatment I splurged on? I used it once. It simply takes too long! I’d rather use that time for something enjoyable during those rare quiet moments. And don’t worry; I won’t be sharing any close-ups of my bikini area anytime soon.
Nail Care
As I mentioned, time is a luxury I no longer have. You make time for what matters, so perhaps I simply don’t care as much about my nails these days. While I’d love to have dazzling nails like a Kardashian, they wouldn’t last five minutes. I’d probably lose one in my toddler’s smoothie or break them while trying to dress my kids. For now, I’m content with short, polish-free nails that look somewhat healthy.
Makeup
Makeup has always been a passion of mine. It’s what keeps me looking somewhat alive for family photos taken just weeks after my son was born. While I’ve simplified my routine to mostly mascara and tinted lip balm these days, I still appreciate how makeup can elevate my mood. Surprisingly, I’ve become more comfortable leaving the house without it, which is perhaps one of the best gifts my children have given me: a newfound sense of self-acceptance.
Motherhood has significantly changed my beauty standards, grooming habits, and the time and energy I allocate to my appearance. Yet I still enjoy getting dressed up. I hope my occasional red lipstick moments demonstrate to my children that it’s okay to want to feel beautiful and have fun with your look. Sometimes it’s fine to let those roots grow and nails go natural. After all, if beauty takes away from what truly matters, it’s not worth it.
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In summary, my journey as a mother has reshaped my beauty standards, leading me to prioritize what truly matters while still embracing moments of self-care.