Mom Hacks
Postpartum Beauty Tips You'll Actually Want To Use
As the mother of three young children and Co-Founder of Gee Beauty, Natalie Gee knows that a solid beauty routine post-baby can be as elusive as a night out. Here, she dishes on a few ideas for cutting through that postpartum haze, from quick fixes for tired eyes to the virtues of a multi stick and the secret that will keep your lashes lush in the months when you won’t even remember the word “mascara.”
Can you recommend a simple skin-care routine for new moms that suddenly have far less time to spend on themselves?
Skin care routines for anyone can sometimes be overwhelming, so here's what I suggest, especially when time is literally of the essence!
1. I love applying water-based essences onto my skin—a few favorites are Agent Nateur Hol(i) Water, Vintner's Daughter Active Essence, or Tata Harper Brightening Essence. The benefit of water-based serums is they quickly absorb into the skin and you don't have to stand at a sink to apply, just apply directly into the palms of your hands and press into the skin. These products will hydrate and infuse active ingredients into the skin for immediate results.
2. Choose one skin concern and focus on that. For me, I had really sensitive, rosacea prone skin pre and post baby, so I focused on calming. I stayed away from exfoliating and concentrated on nourishing my skin. I loved using Dr. Barbara Sturm Calming Serum. I applied this whenever I could, and used it everywhere––face, eyes, neck, chest, anywhere where I was breaking out.
3. Before showering, I would often apply Dr. Sebagh Skin Perfecting Mask. This purifying and hydrating mask refreshed my skin and also helped cleanse the skin. Applying any mask before getting into the shower is a great way of allowing the mask to really penetrate into the skin and it’s multi-tasking—which any new mom will appreciate!
Also, make-up...what would you recommend for minimal effort, maximum impact?
1. Before the baby arrives, consider a Keratin Lash Lift. Once your baby arrives, there is little time to apply makeup, so this service is a way of giving yourself the (literal) lift you need! If you cannot commit to applying mascara, at least your lashes are lifted and tinted. Results last between 4-8 weeks and length of lift differs for everyone.
2. Multi sticks are also such smart pieces for your makeup bag. Whether it's a foundation/concealer multi stick, or a blush/eye/lip combo, these products can be so helpful. (It’s no coincidence our Gee Multi Sticks are some of our best sellers at Gee Beauty.) To be able to use one product multiple ways helps cut down on time, saves you energy and helps keep your look a little more uniform when all else seems the complete opposite.
3. Try a tinted moisturizer with SPF or a tinted sunscreen. Who doesn't love a good glow? It’s an instant pick-me-up no matter how sleepy you feel. And in just one easy step you’ve given your skin moisture, protection and glow.
Puffy eyes and dark circles are a universal new mom badge of honor. What is your favorite quick fix for this?
During the first few weeks and months while your baby is waking every three hours, there is no magic trick. When you are awake at the most inopportune times of the night and day, the best thing you can do is go with your look. While dark circles prevail, focus on a good blow dry—it lasts a few days or even a week. In the beginning, it’s all about shifting the focus!
Once life begins to settle a little, I loved these two quick fixes to help my very tired eyes:
1. Bring on the cucumber. Known for its healing and hydrating benefits, cucumber juice was a major helper for me in rejuvenating my skin, and I noticed big improvements, especially in my eyes. Most all juice shops are making them. Even if you can drink this a few times weekly, it’s a real game changer. If juicing is not for you, try eating one full cucumber a day. It’s a habit I still try to keep up.
2. Bright Eyes by Dr. Goldfadden. Probably one of my favorite eye creams ever, this multi magic eye cream has rice bran extract, red tea and arnica to help restore and repair tired and puffy eyes. I kept this eye cream beside my bed—if you don’t like tons of clutter on your bedside table, I suggest a chic woven basket for products you want to keep on hand—and applied this as often as I could. I took a minute longer and tried to give my eyes a nice massage while patting it in. A little love can go a long way!
Finally, what are a few of your favorite products for baby?
Coconut oil is amazing and a skin saver for all sorts of skin issues. I keep a bottle in every diaper bag or changing area. It's all purpose for any moment.
I also love all the Gryph & Ivyrose products. Made with the highest efficacy for babies and children, my kids love their bath time with Thats’ A Wrap Body Wash and post bath with Knight In Armour Body Oil (which I have used on myself and love).
And basically everything from Frida Baby but the Snot Sucker and the Windi saved me when I really didn't know what to do! Really, all of their products are true problem solvers.
Skin care routines for anyone can sometimes be overwhelming, so here's what I suggest, especially when time is literally of the essence!
1. I love applying water-based essences onto my skin—a few favorites are Agent Nateur Hol(i) Water, Vintner's Daughter Active Essence, or Tata Harper Brightening Essence. The benefit of water-based serums is they quickly absorb into the skin and you don't have to stand at a sink to apply, just apply directly into the palms of your hands and press into the skin. These products will hydrate and infuse active ingredients into the skin for immediate results.
2. Choose one skin concern and focus on that. For me, I had really sensitive, rosacea prone skin pre and post baby, so I focused on calming. I stayed away from exfoliating and concentrated on nourishing my skin. I loved using Dr. Barbara Sturm Calming Serum. I applied this whenever I could, and used it everywhere––face, eyes, neck, chest, anywhere where I was breaking out.
3. Before showering, I would often apply Dr. Sebagh Skin Perfecting Mask. This purifying and hydrating mask refreshed my skin and also helped cleanse the skin. Applying any mask before getting into the shower is a great way of allowing the mask to really penetrate into the skin and it’s multi-tasking—which any new mom will appreciate!
Also, make-up...what would you recommend for minimal effort, maximum impact?
1. Before the baby arrives, consider a Keratin Lash Lift. Once your baby arrives, there is little time to apply makeup, so this service is a way of giving yourself the (literal) lift you need! If you cannot commit to applying mascara, at least your lashes are lifted and tinted. Results last between 4-8 weeks and length of lift differs for everyone.
2. Multi sticks are also such smart pieces for your makeup bag. Whether it's a foundation/concealer multi stick, or a blush/eye/lip combo, these products can be so helpful. (It’s no coincidence our Gee Multi Sticks are some of our best sellers at Gee Beauty.) To be able to use one product multiple ways helps cut down on time, saves you energy and helps keep your look a little more uniform when all else seems the complete opposite.
3. Try a tinted moisturizer with SPF or a tinted sunscreen. Who doesn't love a good glow? It’s an instant pick-me-up no matter how sleepy you feel. And in just one easy step you’ve given your skin moisture, protection and glow.
Puffy eyes and dark circles are a universal new mom badge of honor. What is your favorite quick fix for this?
During the first few weeks and months while your baby is waking every three hours, there is no magic trick. When you are awake at the most inopportune times of the night and day, the best thing you can do is go with your look. While dark circles prevail, focus on a good blow dry—it lasts a few days or even a week. In the beginning, it’s all about shifting the focus!
Once life begins to settle a little, I loved these two quick fixes to help my very tired eyes:
1. Bring on the cucumber. Known for its healing and hydrating benefits, cucumber juice was a major helper for me in rejuvenating my skin, and I noticed big improvements, especially in my eyes. Most all juice shops are making them. Even if you can drink this a few times weekly, it’s a real game changer. If juicing is not for you, try eating one full cucumber a day. It’s a habit I still try to keep up.
2. Bright Eyes by Dr. Goldfadden. Probably one of my favorite eye creams ever, this multi magic eye cream has rice bran extract, red tea and arnica to help restore and repair tired and puffy eyes. I kept this eye cream beside my bed—if you don’t like tons of clutter on your bedside table, I suggest a chic woven basket for products you want to keep on hand—and applied this as often as I could. I took a minute longer and tried to give my eyes a nice massage while patting it in. A little love can go a long way!
Finally, what are a few of your favorite products for baby?
Coconut oil is amazing and a skin saver for all sorts of skin issues. I keep a bottle in every diaper bag or changing area. It's all purpose for any moment.
I also love all the Gryph & Ivyrose products. Made with the highest efficacy for babies and children, my kids love their bath time with Thats’ A Wrap Body Wash and post bath with Knight In Armour Body Oil (which I have used on myself and love).
And basically everything from Frida Baby but the Snot Sucker and the Windi saved me when I really didn't know what to do! Really, all of their products are true problem solvers.