To makeup, or not to makeup?

by Janel Breitenstein

I am a mother of four young children. My daily adornments may include an organic shade of green (in truth, peas), an otherwise trendy shade of chocolate brown in the shape of handprints that reach no higher than my middle, an unidentified smear of something white on my shoulder that once belonged to one of my kids, a puff of flour, maybe a couple of Rice Krispies.

Now, realizing that there are nicely dressed, well-coiffed, pleasant-smelling, smiling women at my husband's workplace every day, I would like to not be the least-groomed woman he has seen all day. This is mostly for my own consolation; he leaves no doubt that I'm attractive to him. I would just like to demonstrate that attractiveness and my love by being snazzy. And let's be honest. I like to feel snazzy, but some days it's a challenge even to get my teeth brushed. (You may think I'm exaggerating about the teeth. But I could pick up my toothbrush only to be interrupted by someone falling off a chair, of which I hope no one else pushed them off, after which the phone rings, someone screams, someone else needs to go to the bathroom RIGHT NOW, and it's all downhill from there.)

I have great intentions for my at-home look. I would love it if in the event that someone rang the doorbell at 9 a.m., that I would cast open the door, sparkling as bright as my sparkling home. Right. I am working to make sure I have no 3-year-old streakers greet the visitor, who then sues me for breaking his or her neck on a Lincoln Log.

Getting up earlier isn't that tempting for me; my 4-month-old and I are still having nightly rendezvous around 3:00 and 6:00 a.m. I know you mothers of newborns can sympathize—every minute of those six hours of sleep is precious. Somehow wearing makeup for my children or random visitors doesn't surpass the desire to be a little more cognizant of, and a little more patient with, the reality whooshing by me.

Still, I feel a little more confident, more put-together when I put on makeup or take a few extra minutes to defuzz my hair. So some days I temporarily set aside something else on my to-do list so that I can feel like a woman rather than just a mom. It seems like wearing makeup matters more to the person wearing it than everyone else! 

Even in her days as a farm wife, my mom wore makeup every day. I will probably not be that together until my kids are in high school.

But in the meantime, I guess I can always start by changing my shirt.

Comments

[Stephanie Raquel]

You might like to try what I've dubbed the "two-minute" tah-dah. Perfect for opening the door to a neighbor or UPS delivery, or running into a child's school for just a minute.

Assuming you're taking time to wash your face, add some tinted moisturizer. Then:
a little concealer just under eye eye and possibly covering any blemishes, pressed powder or mineral powder foundation, mascara and a light-colored lip gloss. For extra bonus points, add some natural blush and a tiny bit of eyeliner on the top lid.

Enjoy!

[daniella]

i'm typing with one hand b/c i'm holding my 8 week old with one arm. Thanks for the good laugh and encouragement - i will go upstairs and change out of my robe (its noon here), take a 30 second shower, do a couple of jumping jacks, put on a bra and some lipgloss so i don't look...like i've given birth two days ago, and perhaps some on my cheeks to give me a good flush ;-)