My Time-Saving Beauty Products for New Mums (Running on Little Sleep)

Running on very little sleep was never something I envisioned for my future self - but then I went and had four kids, so here we are.

In fact, prepping for postpartum for the fourth time has probably been the easiest because I semi-know what’s coming.

Plus, I don’t feel like it’s as big of an adjustment as going from zero babies to one. Zero to one is the hardest.

But now? Life is always chaotic so we are rolling with it.

Anyway, postpartum beauty is something I am very familiar with and doing my makeup and skincare on the fly.

I’ve basically turned it into an art.

So if you too, are short on time or just surrounded by way too many children demanding a lot from you (while simultaneously allowing you approx 30 seconds to get ready for the outside world), let me share with you some of my favourite multi-tasking beauty products that are quick, easy and can make you feel a little more alive than you might currently feel.

Keep scrolling for some of my best beauty products for new mums...

Best Skincare for New Mums.

Viviology Gentle Foaming Cleanser.

The Viviology cleanser is a great multi-tasker as it’s safe and effective to use no matter the skin type or the state of your skin.

This gentle cleanser not only removes your makeup but doesn’t strip your skin and can be used to double cleanse with at the end of the day. It’s budget -friendly too.

In my opinion, it works best when you lather it in your hands first then apply.

Super easy and can be used both in the AM and PM.

I tend to treat my skin quite regularly in clinic, but also postpartum skin can be quite temperamental too, so a gentle cleanser that won’t interfere with other stronger active ingredients or skin treatments is a must - and this one delivers!

Société Intense Firming Complex.

Looking for safe skincare products for pregnancy?

This is a skin-firming peptide serum that is both pregnancy and breastfeeding safe.

It’s designed to lift and firm using a peptide complex, improve fine lines, hydrate and is also full of antioxidants and skin-calming ingredients so it’s very gentle.

I have relied heavily on peptide-based serums throughout my pregnancy in lieu of vitamin A and this serum has been one of my faves.

It has a cooling, tingling feeling that gives an instant lifting effect and I use it both AM and PM.

Postpartum skin needs extra TLC and while there are ingredients that are off-limits, I do think you can still target age management concerns safely during the nine months.

Gentle skincare is still effective and investing in one or two good serums can help get you through, especially as postpartum tends to wreak havoc on the skin.

This tightens, lifts, firms (a must postpartum) and is great for all skin types.

The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + PhytoCeramides.

The Ordinary’s latest moisturiser is what dewy skin dreams are made of.

Full of plant-based ceramides, lipids and some of my favourite moisturising ingredients like glycerin, sodium PCA and urea, this is a budget-friendly moisturiser that a more dehydrated skin can rely on.

It's also great under makeup in the morning for serious glow and it’s a great simple, last step in a skincare routine at night.

Lack of sleep = dehydration and when I’m short on time I just want my moisturiser to work and deliver glowy results.

This does it all - and on a budget.

Cosmedix Reboot Overnight Hydration Complex.

This is a gentle gel-based hydrating serum that both hydrates and helps to look after your skin barrier with probiotics and skin hydrators. 

As soon as the baby is born I will be starting back on my stronger actives including vitamin A so I am using this not only to support my skin barrier as I re-introduce stronger ingredients, but to help dehydration due to lack of sleep.

Can be used both AM and PM (although I prefer PM).

This serum can literally be used on its own, mixed into a moisturiser or as a moisturiser in itself. It’s wild.

But also a great way to cover all bases (especially if you accidentally fall asleep at 8pm post-feed and have zero motivation for anything else).

Aspect Intense Hydration Sheet Mask.

This is a calming and hydrating sheet mask that helps plump dull and dehydrated skin and is very easy to incorporate into a new mum skincare routine either day or night.

Post a bad night with a baby (which is basically every night at the beginning let’s be real) I always sheet mask. I will even sheet-mask post-birth (highly recommend).

Sheet masks are not a ‘need’ in a skincare routine but more of a ‘want’.

And I really am a huge fan postpartum as they can inject a little life back into a sleepless face.

Bonus: they can help deliver an extra hit of hydration into your skin.

Best Makeup for New Mums.

IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream SPF50.

This IT Cosmetics makeup product is the perfect everyday CC cream/foundation hybrid.

A little goes a long way and it can be used for medium to full coverage.

It is very natural-looking and makes your skin look like yours - but better. 

I LOVE this CC cream and have been using it for years.

It can be quite heavy in coverage if you put on too much, but I tend to find ½-1 pump is more than enough.

Base is my favourite makeup category and when I want a never-fail base I reach for this.

This is a makeup base that can be lightly applied during the day but can also double as a heavy duty foundation for night. You just need to use a little extra.

And not that we’ll all be heading out on the town much during postpartum but it’s nice to have the option there for when you might need it or don’t want to buy an extra high coverage foundation you might not get to use much anyway.

Benefit Gimme Brow & Benefit Fluff up Brow Wax.

Benefit do some of the best brow products and I couldn’t decide between Benefit Gimme Brow + Fibre Gel and their latest Benefit Fluff Up Brow Wax release so we are doing both.

Gimme Brow is a tinted eyebrow gel that uses tinted microfibres to create natural-looking definition.

It's user-friendly and honestly a fail-safe option for a quick swipe as you run out the door.

While the Fluff Up Brow Wax is a natural way to keep your brows in shape and perfect for at-home days when you won’t be doing much.

Both can just be swiped on the brows and don’t really need much else although if you are a fan of more defined brows you can easily use a pencil to fill in any sparse areas too.

Honestly, if you’re after fail-safe, quick and easy brow products these are it.

Shop Benefit Gimme Brow and Fluff Up Brow here:

Anastasia Beverly Hills Magic Touch Concealer.

The Anastasia Beverly Hills Magic Touch is a full coverage concealer that brightens dark circles, helps uneven skin tone and just makes you look more bright-eyed and awake.

Dark circles are a skin concern of mine so I'm very into heavy-duty concealers and you literally need the teeniest dot with this one.

To avoid too much creasage, prep your under-eye area with a skincare product first, but if brightening is what you want, then this concealer helps.

The consistency and coverage of this concealer is great and the formula works for my more combo skin.

It may be too drying if you are a drier skin type, however as an everyday way to fake looking awake - it works.

Benefit Hoola Matte Bronzer.

The iconic Benefit Hoola is a fail-safe bronzer for everyday and doesn’t go muddy when you’re in a rush.

I’ve been using it for years, plus it makes you look healthy when you’re running on three hours of sleep. 

I just use it on the apples of my cheeks and normally over a cream bronzer to set it in place and make it last longer.

A great multi-tasker, not only is it great on the cheeks but doubles as an eyeshadow as well.

New or busy mums, want more beauty tips, recommendations and advice? Check out one of these articles below:

• This is My 2-minute (Run Out the Door) Busy Mum Morning Skincare Routine

• I’m a New Mum & Here’s How I Style My Hair for Work in Less Than 5 Minutes

• I’m a Busy Mum & This Avène Routine Calms My Sensitive, Combination Skin