Beauty sleep... supermodels swear by it as their secret to looking fab. That and gallons of water. Great cheap tips of course but not particularly helpful when you’re a busy mum (is there any other type of mum?). Sophie Devonshire from Babes with Babies sheds the light on how to avoid looking exhausted whilst surviving on very little shut-eye.
Essential lotions and potions Getting enough sleep to look rested and ravishing is challenging for new mums whose little ones haven’t quite learnt the difference between night and day. Anybody who has ever read a magazine knows that YSL Touche Eclat is a classic tool of the trade – and for good reason. It can be used to cover up under-eye bags (warning though, it highlights them if being photographed). A really good alternative is to put it underneath the eyebrow and in a line at the top of your cheekbones. The light hits these areas and draws attention away from the under-eye bags, while giving you instantly fabulous cheekbones, which is all very cunning.
Other cult favourites include Clarins Beauty Flash Balm and Guerlain’s Midnight Secret. My clever mother-in-law gave me some Beauty Flash Balm as a ‘giving birth’ present. Her thoughtful gift meant I could avoid looking like death warmed up when everyone arrived to meet my lovely new baby. Midnight Secret feels fantastic, smells great, is relaxing and also helps to de-crease tired skin.
What to wear Black is brilliant; it goes with everything, slims your figure and looks dramatic. It is, however, pretty lethal with a tired face and needs to be balanced with make-up as it “drains the face darling”. One good way to get round this problem is oh-so-simple and oh-so-effective. Just add a bit of colour/contrast to it. Layer a long vest top underneath your black top or add a pashmina with your black outfit. Rachel Weisz as a brand new mother was pictured everywhere in all-black (clearly aware of her post-baby weight) but with a bright pashmina or two near her face. Babes with Babies London have designed some breastfeeding tops with this dilemma in mind. Queen Vee tops are in black and navy with a white v-contrast Click here to view - and is priced at £45. This is great for breaking up the black and refreshes the face. Light highlights in the hair have the same effect, brightening up most complexions.
Lastly, do give yourself a break and try and prioritise sleep. So many mums want to be supermums and instead of napping, get housework/business done or try and use every evening to see friends/movies/partners. Every now and again, a lovely hot bath and an early night can be such a wonderfully self-indulgent treat. It’s not middle-aged but essential for your sanity - see it as a must-have sensible beauty treatment.
Sophie's online treasure trove Babes with Babies is full of original gifts and treats for mums-to-be and new mums - definitely worth a visit!
