Busy mums rarely have the luxury of a full beauty routine every morning — getting the kids ready for the day usually comes first. Suzie O’Neill of Ayu Make-up has mastered the art of five-minute make-up, and she’s sharing her five beauty routine tips for busy mums so you can put your best face forward, fast.
Suzie says: “Being a working mum-of-two, I have a super quick and effective make-up routine down to a T! I often have less than five minutes to get myself ready, so these are the top five tips I live by — they give me a little confidence boost in the morning before I focus on the kids!”
#1. Always Use SPF
Many women skip this step, but SPF is one of the best anti-ageing products you can have in your beauty regime.
Always use a high-quality SPF on your face and other exposed skin, including your neck, chest, arms and hands — even if it’s overcast.
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#2. Define Those Brows
Eyebrows can totally transform how you look and frame your face. Just by lightly defining your brows, you can give yourself a mini facelift and take years off.
Choose a pencil with cool tones for the most natural finish. Look for one with a fine nib to mimic natural hair growth, and use the spoolie end to brush the product through for an even softer, more natural finish.
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#3. Fake A Healthy Glow
Fresh, dewy skin is the key to a beautiful, youthful appearance.
Enhance your natural radiance with a good pink-pearl skin cream that gives a smoothing, youthful glow. Suzie loves to use it on the top of her cheekbones and the bridge of her nose to fake a full night’s sleep.
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#4. Concealer Is Your Best Friend
Lack of sleep and non-stop activity can leave dark circles under the eyes. Use a high-quality, lightweight concealer to cover these areas, but steer clear of heavy formulas — they only accentuate the bags.
A great concealer will even out your skin tone and keep your skin looking fresh, dewy and youthful.
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#5. Warm Your Face
When we’re tired, we tend to look pale and lacklustre. A good matte bronzer is one of the handiest products in your kit when sleep deprivation rears its head.
Apply a matte bronzer in a sweeping motion across the cheeks, the bridge of the nose and the sides of your forehead for the most natural glow. Suzie uses an angled blush/contour brush to apply hers.
Over To You
Do you have any beauty routine tips of your own for busy mums? We’d love to hear them — share your favourites with other parents in the comments below.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does this beauty routine actually take?
Suzie designed this routine to take five minutes or less, making it realistic for mornings when the kids need attention first.
Do I need to do all five steps every day?
No — you can pick and choose depending on the time you have. Even one or two steps, like SPF and concealer, can make a noticeable difference.
What order should I apply these products in?
A good general order is SPF first, then concealer, brows, a glow-boosting cream, and bronzer last to warm and finish the look.
Is SPF really necessary if it’s cloudy or I’m mostly indoors?
Yes — UV exposure happens even on overcast days, so applying SPF daily is one of the simplest ways to protect your skin long term.
Related Articles
- 9 No-Nonsense Beauty Tips For Busy Mums
- The A to Z: How To Look Polished And Groomed (Even When You’re Not!)
- 10 Essential Sleep Hacks For Kids
Save These Tips For Later
Short on time today? Bookmark this page or save it to your phone so you can come back to Suzie’s five-minute routine whenever you need a quick confidence boost.
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