This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Dollar General for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.
It seems cliche to usher out each season with a declaration of shock, at the speed at which time has passed. However, that simply seems be something that goes hand-in-hand with motherhood. There comes a point where time seems to move forward at light-speed, and we all find ourselves wishing for more time, or for super powers to make time stand still. For me, it happened when my older children entered school a few years back. Schedules became less flexible and certainly more full; for most of the year - the routine is fairly set.
This year, as my older children return to class, I'll also be adjusting to daily life with a toddler and a newborn {while continuing to work and maintain a household} The days ahead will definitely be busy, friends. While I feel like I'm prepared, honestly, only time will tell.
After navigating the transition of adding a new member to our family four times now, I've gleaned more than a few valuable tips along the way. Out of all of these tidbits that I've picked up, there's one thing that I've come to know as an absolute necessity during this season of life; self-care. It's much easier to take care of everyone else, when you take care of yourself. I'm going to be real here. Mothering young children doesn't allow large wide-open gaps "me time," for most. But 5 minutes a day? That's totally doable!
For me, 5 minutes to maintain my appearance is more than reasonable. I don't get all glamed up everyday, to crawl around on the floor with a toddler. However, I do take time to wash my face well, exfoliate, moisturize, and put on a bit of makeup. I start my day feeling good about myself, which in-turn generates positive energy, and ultimately that's better for my entire household. This is such a simple treat that we can all afford ourselves, as busy moms.
Read on for my simple 5 minute beauty routine and my simple recipe for homemade moisturizing white lavender citrus body scrub.
DIY White Lavender Citrus Body Scrub Recipe
Makes: 3 cups - about 1 cup needed per use - 3 x uses per batch.
What you'll need:
- an air-tight container
- plastic disposable bowl
- wooden Popsicle stick or another disposable utensil to stir your mixture
- Epson salt (about 3 cups)
- 1/4 cup natural moisturizing body oil (in your choice of scent - I chose to mix my favorite scents to create an invigorating white lavender citrus scent)
How to:
Combine 3 cups Epson salt and 1/4 cup moisturizing body oil in a bowl. Stir / fold the mixture until ingredients are well combined. Spoon your body scrub mixture into an air-tight container (such as a mason jar). Smooth about 1 cup of the body scrub mixture onto legs and arms while in the shower. To exfoliate your body, use a warm washcloth to lightly move the scrub over the surface of your skin in a circular motion. Use 1-2 times a week to maintain smooth skin / a healthy appearance.
Aside from using this yummy exfoliating scrub in the shower, I also tend to keep a few cups of Epson salt {in an air-tight jar} next to my sink, to exfoliate my face. Adding a small amount (about 2 tablespoons) of Epson salt to a moist warm washcloth helps to naturally exfoliate my face. I simply move the washcloth over my face in a light circular motion with the Epson salt and warm water 2-3 times a weeks. This little trick helps to keep my complexion bright and smooth, which is always best for flawless makeup application. I love how budget friendly both of these beauty solutions are.
After I've washed and exfoliated my face, I start by applying Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser . Next, I apply Maybelline Shine Free Loose Powder {in an upwards sweeping motion} on my cheek bones - then lightly across my forehead - and lightly on the bridge of my nose. Then, I fill in my eyebrows with a brow pencil and apply some color to my cheeks. I finish up my quick routine by applying a moisturizing tinted lip balm or a gloss. Some days I add a little mascara to my routine, but most days I opt out. Better to skip this step on hectic days, than wind up with raccoon circles under my eyes from rubbing my eyes or sweating it off {just keeping it real}.
In addition to my simple makeup routine I also take a few minutes to give myself a mini-manicure and paint my nails once a week. While I might not always have tons of down time to run to a salon, I can easily keep my hands looking tip-top with a small amount of effort, and some fun on-trend nail colors.
In an effort to avoid the masses of people currently flocking to big-box stores for back to school necessities, I recently stopped into my local Dollar General with the kids. Friends, with 4 kids in tow now, I can't even begin to express how grateful I am for well laid out stores such as Dollar General. We easily found everything that we needed, without the need for all of the back-and-forth searching. The kids were able to grab the supplies that they need for the upcoming school year, while I was able to stock up on brand name makeup and supplies including {pictured above}: 1. Maybelline New York Shine Free Oil Control Loose Powder 2. Maybelline New York Expert Wear Twin Brow & Eye Pencils 3. Maybelline New York Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser Primer 4. Maybelline New York Baby Lips Moisturizing Lip Balm 5. Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Cheek Flush - before the business kicks in over the next few weeks. My favorite part? All of these fab beauty finds totaled just $25!
I also grabbed some Epson salts to whip up a few batches of moisturizing body scrub and to exfoliate my face with.
The trip was a total win. It was both easy on my wallet and my time, which is much appreciated as a busy mom of 4!I'm hoping this streak of luck continues over the next few weeks as we move, head back to school, and learn how to navigate life as a family of 6. I've got my fingers and toes crossed over here, for a smooth transition.
Wishing you all a successful transition into the new school year!
Have some fun beauty tips & tricks for busy moms, yourself? I'd love it if you'd share in a comment below (or tag me on Twitter @one_savvymom ) Discover beauty products, tips and more in the Dollar General Beauty Zone
