5-Minute Morning Routine

Mornings can be a little crazy as it’s usually a mad scramble to get myself ready as well as both kids dressed, fed, and off to school (7:45am pre-school start time can be brutal!).    While I used to be a person who would always put on a full face of makeup before going into the office, now there’s just not the time.  Instead, I’ve figured out a quick 5-minute routine for the mornings with products that provide a big bang for my buck and are foolproof to apply – even if you’re like me and have 2 little ones pulling at your legs at the same time!

Spin Pins.  To start, my hair is usually a bedhead mess and so the quickest way to just make it look presentable is to throw it up in a messy bun.  Previously I would have to use a gazillion bobby pins and still my bun would end up falling apart halfway through the day.  Now with a couple of spin pins, I can easily secure my hair in place and it lasts all day!  Even better is that the bun doesn’t end up looking too tight and has that carefree easy look.  Day-old hair that’s slightly dirty actually make for the best messy bun and I’ve even found that my hair has a pretty natural curl when I take my hair out from the bun that is perfect for an evening look!

Dove Advanced Care Deodorant.  I’ve been using the Dove Nutrium Moisture line of deodorants for a couple years now and they are my favorite!  I never have to worry about embarrassing body odor and my skin stays soft and smooth unlike any other product that I’ve tried.  Dove Advanced Care Antiperspirant offers 48 hours of odor and wetness protection plus added skincare benefits with its NutriumMoisture formula and Dove ¼ moisturizers for softer, smoother underarms.  As women, we all need to expect more from our deodorant.  The 5-star reviews for this product speak for itself!

“Not only did the scent last, the wetness protection did, too. This deodorant also has great moisturizing ability. I honestly think my underarm skin looks healthier after using it!” – Gaylasp

“It glides on so soft and silky you don’t even know you’re wearing it. This deodorant keeps me smelling so good from the time I put it on to the time I go to bed.” – beaglebullet7669

Dry Brush.  This is something new that I only recently started adding to my morning routine and it has made such a huge difference!  Dry brushing stimulates the lymphatic system and is great for energizing your skin.  It’s also a great way to gently exfoliate and my skin literally glows afterwards even without any product on at all!

Tinted Moisturizer.  Tinted moisturizer is my lifesaver for when I just need something to smooth out my complexion and I don’t have the time to blend in foundation.  Even better is that most tinted moisturizers pull double-duty with SPF so that they can provide sun protection as well!  After applying tinted moisturizer to my entire face, I’ll usually go back in with additional product and apply it under my eyes as a light concealer!

Baked Mineral Blush.  To add a little dimension to my face, I go for a natural pink blush.  I find that the baked mineral blushes give a more luminous finish and I don’t have to worry about blending it out — just a quick swipe on either side and I’m good to go!