mummies in the media
It also takes a village to get Jennifer Garner, Heidi Klum, and Angelina Jolie back into pre-pregnancy shape 2.5 days after giving birth (okay, maybe 2.5 days is a bit of exaggeration but you know I'm not that far off from how quickly they bounce back to being camera ready).
Anyhoo ...
A good 'ole suburban mom who sits on the PTA board, drives kids to swim class, and works 8 hours a day doesn't have access to a personal chef, a pilates trainer, and a live-in nanny - therefore it may take her a tad bit longer to fit back into her skinny jeans (physically and mentally).
But, as I recently said to a dear friend about her business (when she mentioned she had to put it on the back burner for a bit), "do a little bit each day even if its just one thing – its always a step forward in the right direction anyway!", I realized that the same can be applied to getting back to your fabulous self.
Of course, this being a beauty blog, I would have to say that the most logical step to take when going from "i was pregnant" to "i just had a baby" to "i just had a baby and I look hot", is starting with your makeup and hair.
I mean think about it, Gwen Stefani wore her trademark bright and bold lip (sometimes red, sometimes fuschia), Nicole Richie was seen with her trademark boho-chic hair and smudgy eyeliner, and Jennifer Lopez still rocked her trademark "J-Lo Glow" - all in the photos that surfaced just weeks after giving birth to their children. The key word is trademark.
Now I don't know for sure because I've never had the pleasure of actually meeting them and asking them, but I bet it was those little things, those little trademarks, that made them feel like themselves again so soon after baby. Sure, maybe there was a bit of a muffin top, slightly engorged breasts (from breastfeeding of course), and groggy, sleepless nights - all things they couldn't control or resolve at the moment. But their makeup and hair, that could be done INSTANTLY. Instant gratification. Immediate. A step forward in the right direction to their super hot celebrity self.
I think all new moms, once they are ready to make their public debut after baby should not waste so much time or thought on their wardrobe, their weight, and their new breasts. Straight up - it's not going to work all of itself out right away. Something is going to be tight. Something is going to fold over the waistband. Something is going to leak when it hears a crying baby (yes - it does happen). Instead, just do the one thing that you can still do and have it done right: smudge your eyeliner, apply seven coats of mascara, top your favourite lip liner with your favourite lip gloss. Eventually, the rest of the stuff that needs to "get back to normal" will follow.
Didn't have a makeup routine pre-baby? That's fine. Just start one. Have an artist show you your best foundation colour and walk out of the house with sheer flawless skin. Or skip that and just dust on bright pink blush. Or do a Gwen and find a signature lip color and wear it everyday.
I don't care what anyone says, ALL MOMS can find two seconds to put on a bit of makeup or comb their hair. You don't really "sleep when the baby sleeps". Your baby doesn't really cry all day (they do nap). Your baby really isn't THAT clingy. What happens when you go to the bathroom - does the baby follow? Probably not. After you flush and wash your hands, pick up a tube of gloss and slick it on. Then go back to baby.
The point is it will make you feel good about yourself. Build on that. Every day, do just a little bit more ... really. The rest will follow and you will be back in your skinny jeans in no time (and eventually, your breasts will stop leaking too!)
-bp-
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