Guest post by Boston Makeup Artist, Creative Contour By Carla
Beauties, congratulations on your new bundle of joy! What an exciting new journey you are starting, parenthood! I am so proud of you. Parenthood comes with joy, but also comes with exhaustion, dehydration, and a lot of stress. You are doing your best, remind yourself of that! Speaking of exhaustion, dehydration, and stress, let me help you learn a few great ways to take care of yourself during the newborn phase of parenthood!
For those of you who don’t know me, hi there! I’m Carla, Owner, Founder, and Makeup Concierge at Creative Contour By Carla! Boston Makeup Artist here! I have met my fair share of newborn parents in my 13 years as a professional makeup artist. I’ve heard how hard it can be, and I hope my article today comes from a place providing easy advice and comfort. While I myself am currently childless, I still understand the value of self care in parents, as I’ve seen my own parents neglect themselves for my and brother’s sake time and time again in our lives. And while I appreciate all they do, I remind them now that self care is essential to their daily lives. Self care looks a little different for everyone, so take what you resonate with.
Having a Healthy Spirit
Let’s start with the big one first. Having a healthy spirit is important for everyone, regardless of whether they have children. But for my new parents, it is essential, but also hard to maintain. My advice for all of you newborn parents is to find one thing you already do daily, and romanticize it! Let me give you a few examples.
Washing Your Face
Something you should be doing daily (if not before, you will now!). To romanticize washing your face, slow down first. Run the water to a temperature that feels good. Let the water pour over your hands, completely drenching them. Grab your face wash and later it really well in your hands. Slow down and take your time while you lather your cleanser! Then, slowly massage onto your face. Take a little extra time to do this. Really enjoy it! In reality, it’s probably only like 1 or 2 minutes, but it’s worth it. You’ll feel like you again after, trust me!
Movement or Stretching
Here me out: we are supposed to be moving or stretching daily to stay healthy. Why not romanticize it? Instead of your hurried three little stretches, put a timer on for 5 minutes. Take your time and warm yourself up slowly. Turn the lights down, or let the sun in, whatever you feel better in. Open the window, play your favorite song. Whatever helps you enjoy and relax. Slowly do your movement or stretches. Take the time to enjoy it!
Words of affirmation, Journaling, or other good mental health ideas
I put all of these topics together, because they can vary on how long they take. Speak to yourself kindly. Say your kind affirmations to yourself out loud for two minutes. Say them slowly, while taking a deep breath in between. Write in your journal, let yourself cry if you need to. These are all things that help you in the long run, so they are worth it! Even if you just set that timer for two minutes, let it be a beneficial two minutes!
Skincare Routine
While social media glamorizes skincare, I’m going to make it easy for you! Find a simple routine that works for you, and put it on your calendar, in your phone, or wherever will remind you to prioritize you daily. It doesn’t take a long time to wash your face and put on moisturizer, so prioritize those couple of minutes each day.
Staying Hydrated
Make it your business to stay hydrated daily. Our bodies are made of mainly water, so we need it to thrive. This doesn’t mean drinking gallons, but even putting a morning or afternoon reminder to stop, sit, and have that glass of water, beauty!! It makes such a difference.
Makeup, makeup, makeup!
YES, newborn parents can have a makeup routine! If this is the way you decide to care for yourself, awesome! I would say to make it really easy on yourself and use minimal products. I recommend using cream products, as they are easy to remove later, should you forget you put it on earlier in the day.
Styling Your Hair
Yes, you can find time to style your hair each day, if you please! Every hair type has different needs, so do what your hair type requires. This is not my field of expertise, so I will redirect you to your regular hair stylist, who knows your hair and can advise you on an easy daily hair style! It would be a fun little pamper for yourself, too!
Prioritizing Rest
I’m not your doctor here, beauties, but I am someone who firmly believes in “rest first, work later.” If that is something you can prioritize in your life, do it! There are all kinds of rest, and you can choose what rest is to you. A few extra minutes of rest a day really does make your spirit whole.
Creativity
I am keeping this one vague. There are so many different ways to incorporate creativity into your life, so try it out! Style a cute outfit, even if you are just going to the grocery store; paint, color, write poetry, etc.! How you want to be creative is up to you. One of the ways I personally love to be creative is by choosing different colors for my makeup look, even if it is a simple, natural makeup look. It’s fun being creative and trying out different colors in different ways! It brings me lots of joy every time I apply my makeup.
Social Activities
I know with a newborn, you don’t have a ton of availability to go out and do things, but there are many ways to be social! Finding an online community of people who share your interests, call a friend, video chat with a loved one. Invite someone over for a cup of coffee at your place; these are all great ways to find a few minutes each day to get social, if that’s what fills your cup!
Exhaustion, Stress, and Other Big Feelings
I am in no way a professional, but I will say that understanding what you are feeling right now is important. If you need to find professional help for your feelings, don’t doubt yourself for another second. Be honest with yourself, and understand that big feelings are very normal for us in life, no matter our circumstances. Do what you need to do to help you! This is self care in its own way.
Beauties, I hope you found this list helpful, and are inspired to find that one method of self care that fills your cup!! As a professional makeup artist, I’ve learned over the years that having one thing to fill our cup daily truly makes life beautiful, and really helps us. I am happy for you, and proud of you for taking this important step to take care of yourself!
And of course, if you want some help in your makeup routine, I’m here for you! Check out my website to reserve your Makeup Experience.
Lots of love, lipstick, and healthy spirit,
Carla
Check out Carla’s gorgeous work on this mama!
