I Have 3 Kids Under 5 & These Fast Mum Makeup Hacks Make Me Look Like I've Slept
Yads Cauchi is a Dermal Clinician, Nutritionist (BHSc, MSc) and Beauty Journalist. She's also a mum of four. Evidence based skin health and nutrition are her thing and she works from her own skin clinic based in Canberra - you can find her there, or on Instagram and TikTok @yadscauchiskin.
Fun fact: I've been a sleep-deprived parent for five years.
With three kids under the age of five, I'm perpetually tired and always on the hunt for quick makeup products that make me look/feel alive.
Why? Because makeup is great for faking that whole ‘I have my life together’ vibe when really, it feels like it's an inch from falling apart.
I'm no makeup artist, but in my experience, the key to fast makeup for mums who have zero time but feel like a pep up comes down to three things:
1. Investing in a good morning skincare routine for it all to go on - you can read my fail-safe two-minute morning skincare routine here.
2. A few multipurpose products that can be used a variety of different ways (including in the car where there's good lighting).
3. No more than 10 minutes of your time.
Best Makeup Hacks & Products.
So, let’s get onto my favourite products for sleep-deprived parents.
This small but mighty makeup case of products below are what I use on my face when my toddlers wake up and demand I wash their eyes in the middle of the night (true story), before insisting the whole family - including the baby - starts the day at 4am.
Also a true story.
Because, let's be real: No amount of skin care alone can help when you've had one of these nights.
Or several in a row. You need the big makeup guns - here are mine.
1. A Hydrating Base for Glowy, Radiant Skin.
Why it's so popular:
I gave up on primers years ago when I discovered this sunscreen makes skin look and feel moisturised and radiant.
Hydrated skin = the best makeup base, but the bigger bonus is how wearing sunscreen every day will provide you with adequate sun protection, too.
So, if your kids have been up all night, can I recommend that when you get up, cry for thirty seconds, cleanse your face, apply your moisturiser, maybe cry a little more, and follow with the Aspect Hydrating SPF over the top?
Then, give yourself a pep talk and you’ll be good to go.
And of course, SPF is only one part of sun protection!
Always seek shade, and wear sunnies, a hat and protective clothing. Use sufficient sunscreen for all unprotected areas and reapply sunscreen as directed. Always read the label. You know the drill.
2. The Foundation That Looks Like Sleep in a Bottle.
Why it's so damn good:
Doing my base is my favourite part of my makeup routine and I like to switch things up. Like, if I've been consistent with my skin care and my kids decide they don’t need a glass of water at 1am AND 3am, I’ll use a lighter base.
But if your offspring refuse to sleep, I give you permission to invest in yourself and bring out the beez kneez of foundations, the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation.
Mums do everything for everyone, so go wild and whip out this lightweight but decent coverage foundation on mornings after a crappy night.
You can also use it on nights out or special occasions... which are a rare occurrence for parents, so you may as well just wear your luxe makeup to treat yourself when you feel like crap.
3. The Best Concealer for Dark Circles, Ever.
Why it's so damn good:
It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer is THE concealer that'll fool everyone in your life that you're getting an adequate amount of sleep to function like a normal member of society.
It's full coverage, but not cakey, and sometimes, wearing it even makes me feel like maybe I did sleep?
As you can see, my tube is so old and well loved, it’s pretty much an extra family member.
4. A Quick & Easy Brow Product.
Why it's so damn good:
I use anything Benefit for brows. I basically own the whole range. Although, I do tend to reach for the Benefit Precisely My Brow pencil the most because it's quick and easy.
It's an easy product to work with on the go, and the shape of the pencil tip helps with a super precise application.
The pencil is also really thin, which makes it simple to draw on light, natural-looking strokes. Really, this product is hard to mess up.
5. The Bronzer That's Also Your Eyeshadow.
What: Benefit Hoola Matte
Why it's so damn good:
I’ve been using the Benefit Hoola Matte Bronzer for years and it’s pretty much the only product in my life I ever hit the pan on.
The original Hoola shade is the best colour match for my medium skin tone, and I love to use it as a quick, flattering eyeshadow as well.
Benefit Hoola Lite is great if you have a lighter skin tone, and Benefit Hoola Caramel and Benefit Hoola Toasted are good options for darker complexions.
Honestly though, the thought of this product being discontinued is one of my life's greatest fears.
6. A Juicy Cream Blush.
Why it's so damn good:
A good cream blush instantly wakes up a tired face.
Cream blushes are also handy to throw in your handbag for quick makeup application in the car.
Hot tip: I always do my foundation and concealer at home, but when I’m super strapped for time, I do the rest in the car. The lighting is insane.
Back to cream blushes though, because at 33, I find they just work so much better for my skin texture as the years go on. Yes, they don't last as long as powder blushes, but they're so flattering and super easy to reapply.
Napoleon Perdis’ Cheek Switch Creme Blush in the shade Save The Coral is my current favourite.
Trust me, a bit applied along the line of your cheekbone upwards to the temple instantly makes your face look healthier.
7. Mascara & More Mascara.
Why it's so damn good:
I have long, dark eyelashes and get a lash lift every six weeks or so (read more on lash lifts here), so I don’t tend to wear mascara every day.
However, when I haven’t slept, mascara is a must to widen up my tired eyes. Mascara is also one of those beauty items I think you don’t need to splurge on, and I’m genuinely pretty happy with budget purchases.
L’Oreal Paris Lash Paradise Mascara is one of these purchases. It lengthens, curls and adds just enough volume to give your eyelashes a natural-looking boost.
It honestly does everything you need at such a good price point – and if you lose this mascara amongst all of your kids' sultanas in the back of your car, it won’t matter too much.
Last but not least, add a slick of a tinted lip balm like the Lanolips Tinted Lip Balm SPF30 - Perfect Nude or the delightful Bobbi Brown Crushed Oil-Infused Gloss and you're done!
If only these products offered free childcare too...
Want more easy makeup tips and product recommendations? Check out these stories below!
