Hi, I’m Justine and I am the mama of a beautiful little ball of sunshine named Elle. She’s 18 months old going on 5 years of sass and this mama has been working in over-drive to figure out how to create a better balance of family, work and “me” time.
Because I think it’s so important for mommy’s to feel good, to be healthy and fit, to feel empowered, loved and confident in order to lead their families best.
Momming is both the hardest and most rewarding job in the world and it can sure take a toll on your precious “me” time, your diet, fitness routine and even your beauty regimen. All the things that used to make you feel really sexy, strong and put together. Laughable, right!?
Nowadays you may be feeling a little frumpy, you often forget to brush your hair in the morning and some days you never change out of your pajamas. You feel me, mama?
Making time to nourish yourself and take those extra beauty steps each day can seem completely overwhelming. After all, you’re taking care of an entire family unit and you always seem to come last.
But of all the ways to feel like you’ve got your stuff together and show up a little better for everyone else in your crew, nourishing your body and taking an extra few moments in the morning to get yourself ready for the day can be a game changer.
I know, it seems counterproductive. If you don’t have any extra time, how in the heck are you supposed to add your beauty routine back in or cook healthy meals or exercise!?
Well, I’m here to tell you that taking a few intentional moments each day to make yourself a priority can change the direction of your entire day and boost your little mama confidence.
As a mama myself, I have come to realize this comes down to living more mindfully, more intentionally. If you fly through each day just trying to take things as they fly at you, you’re going to struggle. If you take some time at the start of your week to write out what’s going down in the coming week, what days are crazier than others, what days will you be too busy to cook and need to prep ahead, etc., you can better schedule in “me” time, exercise, meal prep, and whatever else you need to thrive as a mama.
Because when mama ain’t thrivin’, no one’s thrivin’. Yes, you are that important mama!
Ok, back to getting a grip on your beauty routine.
Because Lord knows most of us need some serious help. Ahem...me included!
From one mama to another, it feels damn good to do something for yourself every now and again. Selfish? No way. I know your mama heart gives and gives and gives so I do believe you deserve some self love!
Here are a few start-today-tips to get that summer glow you so deserve!
Feed yourself well.
Like good ol’ whole foods, especially healthy fats like grass-fed butter and coconut oil, clean protein from sustainably raised meat, poultry and wild fish, seasonal veggies and fruits and nuts and seeds. Focusing on avoiding processed crap and getting in the good stuff ensures you’re taking in all the nutrients your body needs to nourish you from the inside out...aka beautiful, supple skin.
I love that so many summer produce items have skin protecting elements and glow-y skin superpowers.
If you are a super busy mama with active summer kiddos, make sure you prepare ahead of time for all-day outings, vacations and road trips. Keeping a cooler full of healthy snacks is the best way to save yourself from feeling the awful aftermath of a fast food drive-thru or a gas station meal. Yuck. Your skin will thank you too.
Drink up.
Water, not margaritas silly! Ever noticed what happens to your flowers or garden when you don’t water them. No bueno. Our bodies need plenty of clean water throughout the day to keep our cells well hydrated and electric properties within our body active and to help keep our lymphatic systems movin’ and groovin’. With a stagnant system, toxins can build up and it’ll show in our skin.
Go green with your beauty routine.
Swap out chemical filled beauty products for cleaner, health supporting items that nourish and protect your largest organ (your skin!). No matter where you are on your health journey, it’s important to begin, or continue, to work toward a non-toxic beauty routine. I did it over about a year's time and before I knew it every product I owned was clean and green and it felt so good!
I make sure to choose clean products that actually work. Because what’s the point of spending money just for the sake of going green? No thanks.
Now, for the mom routine -
I’d highly recommend you take a few minutes to consider what makes you feel confident and ready to take on the day. Whether you’re a shower and throw your hair in a pony kind of gal or you’re more the type that likes some curls in those luscious locks and blush on those cheeks, figuring out what YOU need to feel refreshed and ready for the day is all that matters.
Another piece of the puzzle is making sure you’re using clean beauty and skincare products, especially if you are planning to be pregnant soon, are currently pregnant or breastfeeding. Our beauty routine plays a big role in our overall health since our skin is our largest organ and absorbs much of the chemical crap we slather on it. Hence the need for clean, green, nourishing products.
Also, since we’re talking summer beauty tips here, choosing a non-toxic sunscreen is an absolute must. I love Beautycounter’s sunscreen options best and have used them on baby girl as well!
Here is a list of some of my favorite products with links to snag your own…
Face:
Protect Stick Sunscreen - Face
Makeup:
Sheer Lipstick...the best ever
Body:
Lavender + Eucalyptus Body Butter
Sensitive Deodorant...the bomb
Hair:
Alright little beauty, there you have it! I’d love to hear what your favorite non-toxic beauty products are or if you end up trying any of the above! Leave a comment below and fill me in!
Photography by the lovely and super talented Yvette of Ettevy Photography.
