As a mother, carving out moments for “me time” amidst the chaos of carpooling, sports, and meal preparations can seem as daunting as training a toddler. However, having young children does not mean that personal care should be neglected—or become merely an afterthought. To discover how to incorporate some pampering into a hectic routine, we consulted three entrepreneurial moms who shared insights into their daily habits. One common tip they revealed? A touch of mascara can make all the difference.
Courtenay Perks
“I prioritize self-care for my own well-being, which ultimately allows me to give more to my family,” says Courtenay Perks, the creator of the blog Whole Vegan Pantry. “When I nurture myself, I am able to channel that love into my children and my partner.”
Her skincare routine
“I cleanse and exfoliate with disposable gauze both morning and night. My toner is a simple mix of half a cup of witch hazel and ten drops of tea tree oil, followed by a moisturizing treatment and eye cream. At least once a week, I indulge in an Epsom salts bath, dry body brushing, and finish with hempseed oil. I let my hair dry naturally for healthier results.”
Her quick makeup method
“Now that I’m working more, I’ve shifted towards minimal makeup, which I enjoy—my skin feels fresh and vibrant. When I do wear makeup, it’s a quick application of a light foundation, concealer, brow pencil, lip gloss, blush, mascara, and a bit of liquid eyeliner. This can all be done in under two minutes.”
Her go-to ingredients
“I create a charcoal face mask once or twice a week using half a teaspoon of charcoal powder, half a teaspoon of bentonite clay, a quarter teaspoon of baking soda, a quarter teaspoon of coconut oil, and a teaspoon of water. I let this sit for ten minutes before rinsing. After using the infrared sauna, I apply coconut oil to my hair and wash it out later, resulting in glossy strands.”
Her advice for busy mothers
“Focus on yourself from the inside out. Stay hydrated, eat a plant-based diet, and move your body daily. Remember, it’s perfectly acceptable to prioritize your own needs.”
Jennifer Rose Rossano
“Finding time for self-care is crucial because it’s essential to take care of oneself,” explains Jennifer Rose Rossano, the voice behind the plant-based parenting blog NeuroticMommy and mother of two. “While my routine may not be glamorous—I’m certainly not sitting with a fan while someone feeds me grapes—it’s functional, usually done at night after the kids are asleep, and doesn’t consume hours of my time.”
Her skincare routine
“In the evenings, I cleanse my skin, exfoliate, and either use a toner or apply a face or hair mask based on my mood. Sometimes, I keep it simple by applying castor oil to my face and calling it a day.”
Her quick makeup strategy
“To avoid looking completely disheveled during morning school runs, I utilize tinted moisturizer and a swipe of mascara daily. The tinted moisturizer brightens my skin, while mascara enhances my eyes.”
Her trusted ingredients
“Lavender is a staple for my skincare due to its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, offering a calming effect on the skin. Additionally, it has a wonderful aroma that elevates your mood. I also appreciate peppermint oil for stimulating the scalp, and I use coconut or jojoba oil to boost hydration.”
Her advice for busy moms
“Remember, a little product can go a long way!”
Sunny Subramanian
“Finding time for self-pampering is vital for maintaining my mental health as a single mother and entrepreneur,” states Sunny Subramanian, a beauty specialist from Vegan Beauty Review. “I believe that I must prioritize my self-care to be the best version of myself for those around me, making an effort to schedule daily ‘me time’, whether it’s just 15 minutes or more.”
Her skincare routine
“At night, I take off my makeup with either makeup wipes or jojoba oil on a cotton pad, followed by cleansing with a creamy face wash infused with argan or grapeseed oil. After toning, I moisturize with shea butter or beauty oils, allowing my skin to absorb all the nourishing ingredients while I sleep.”
Her quick makeup tip
“On busy mornings, I stick to under-eye concealer, mascara, and tinted lip gloss. With those three essentials, I can instantly elevate my look.”
Her must-have ingredients
“I am quite fond of products containing argan oil, jojoba oil, grapeseed oil, hempseed oil, aloe vera, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, activated charcoal, and essential oils. I gravitate towards all-natural ingredients that offer major benefits, whether for moisturizing, anti-aging, or detoxing.”
Her busy mom beauty hack
“Two words: dry shampoo. It’s a total game changer! Baby powder is also a fantastic option for last-minute touch-ups or a quick dry shampoo.”
