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7 best beauty tips for moms returning to work

Posted on by Posted in The Best You .

Since August is the month with the highest birth rate (I am an August baby – are all you mamas trying to stay warm in November?!?!?), it’s also the month for the most Canadian mommies going back to work after their one year maternity leave. Yes, we Canadians are lucky in that respect! But moms everywhere can use this advice, so we caught up with the woman behind the fashion label Peachymama, Merril Bainbridge for some top beauty tips to take you back to the bread-winning world.

Merril offers:

Gone are the days when you would spend hours fixing your hair and making yourself beautiful before going out, either for pleasure or work. You now have a baby to attend to! You will surely have less time for your beauty routines.

However, this should not prevent you from looking your best, most especially when you have already decided to go back to work. There are easy shortcuts that new moms like you can try to achieve glowing skin, shiny hair, and well-applied makeup.

How new moms can look fresh and rejuvenated

1. Shower before bedtime

When your baby is down for the night, you will definitely have more time to shampoo your hair and soak in the tub. The warm water will also help you feel relaxed and prepare you for several hours of uninterrupted sleep (fingers crossed!).

2. Cut your makeup routine

The sheer glow you have throughout your pregnancy often vanishes right after giving birth. Get that sheer glow back by using a high quality concealer or a cream-to-powder formula foundation. If you want to add some color, keep it simple by opting for a cream blush, which can also serve as an eye and lip tint. Allot another 10 seconds for curling your eyelashes as this can help make those sleepy eyes appear brighter and bigger.

3. Keep your nails short and neat

Right after giving birth, you may not have enough time for a manicure; still, you need to keep your nails short and smoothly filed. Aside from making your hands pretty, having short and clean nails will also prevent you from scratching your baby’s tender skin, most especially when changing diapers.

4. Use functional yet fashionable clothing

From leggings to tees to shoes, consider wearing black because this color can slim you down in minutes. Most importantly, it can take care of all those body issues you are currently dealing with.

Aside from that, choose fantastic clothing that will make your legs look longer. These include garments with vertical stripes, maxi skirts, high-waist jeans, and straight-cut pants.

As for your shoes, block heels can be the best option for you. Apart from giving you height, these are also all about comfort.

5. Accessorize

With the expenses associated with having a new baby, you probably cannot afford an entirely new wardrobe. Still, you can show off the latest trends as well as give your wardrobe a lift by picking up handbags and other accessories you own. You can make use of a diaper bag that can also transform into a laptop bag. Also, headbands or beanies are some great choices for hair accessories if you do not feel like styling your hair.

6. Make your hair shiny and beautiful

If you do not have time to wash those locks, consider using a dry shampoo. On the greasy spots, apply baby powder and brush them out. Don’t forget to apply a shine spray to make sure that whenever your hair falls, it won’t look all frizzy out in public.

If you’re feeling down, opt for a new hair color because this will surely lift your spirits. This will also introduce some welcome changes to your style for several months.

7. Nourish your skin

Keep your skin free of dirt, sweat and oil to prevent a dull appearance and clogged pores. Always wash your face every morning and night and after activities like cleaning the house, exercising or any physical activity. But if you do not have time to wash your face, use an astringent instead.

Each time you go out, do not forget to protect your skin by applying sunscreen. And after sun exposure, soothe your skin with fragrance-free cream to prevent skin irritations.

Keeping your skin moisturized is also very important. Apply hypoallergenic moisturizer after every cleansing. Be aware of the skincare products to avoid while breastfeeding.

If possible, pamper your skin at least once a week to make it feel and look fantastic. For five minutes, you can actually give yourself a home spa treatment. Gently cleanse your face, and then steam it over a bowl of hot water with rose or lavender leaves. After that, splash with cold water. Lastly, apply some moisturizer. By doing so, the pores will be deep-down clean. And most importantly, you will feel and look relaxed.

Most of all, try to embrace the return to work – it’s a big change, but you’ve got this!

About Merril:

At 16, Merril Bainbridge began her career in the Australian fashion industry. In her early 20’s she left to launch a successful Pop Music career which saw her at the top of the US Music Charts. Retiring to start a family, she found a new purpose helping breastfeeding women with her fashion label, Peachymama.

 

Be Well, Look Well – Tips to combat wrinkles and keep that face

Posted on by Posted in The Best You .

We’re “Advanced Maternal Age”. Does that mean we’re old?

When I was in my teens and 20’s I looked young. I actually looked like a kid until my early 30’s. And then, suddenly, I see lines and wrinkles and signs of aging.

What the what is that all about.

I thought I’d be carded forever, turns out nobody needs to see my ID any more. So, why???? You know you want to know a bit about this danged aging business a bit more, so we caught up with Dr. John Zannis. He’s a New Bern, North Carolina board certified Plastic Surgeon, to break it down for us. 

Many aspects of facial and body aging are inevitable and a fact of life, explains Dr. Zannis. However, there are daily habits, motions and actions that we do that unnecessarily accelerate the aging process. While we are very fortunate to have so many non invasive advances in plastic surgery, many of them would not be necessary at younger ages if we negated some of the behaviors that cause wrinkles to appear prematurely.

Tanning Beds 

(Urban Mommy Elisa: Yes, guilty. Not excessively – but hey, it was the 90s)

Despite skin cancer warning labels and common sense, 45 percent of young women surveyed in a February 2014 study revealed they still use tanning beds. Here’s your wakeup call: Tanning beds blast you with 12- to 15-times more ultraviolet radiation than the sun, which means you’re that much more likely to get wrinkles, dark spots, thick leathery skin and cancer. And that cancer could be the deadly kind: Melanoma is one of the most common cancers diagnosed among young women, with more than 32,000 women expected to be diagnosed in the coming years.

Alcohol

(Urban Mommy Elisa: Yes, guilty. I bartended in my younger years. It was, at times, much like professional alcoholism)

Alcohol is a natural diuretic, so the more you drink, the more dehydrated you become. Dr. Zannis states that, “besides sapping the natural moisture from your skin, excessive alcohol also triggers rosacea outbreaks and exacerbates fine lines, acne, and wrinkles, all of which instantly make you look older. You don’t have to swear off the bottle altogether, but by drinking less, your liver doesn’t have to work as hard to flush out toxins and impurities from your body, and when it works more efficiently, you’ll see the results in your skin.”

Smoking

(Urban Mommy Elisa: Off and on. And I was goooood at it. But not in the last 15 years)

It’s certainly no secret that smoking is bad for your health. But did you know it’s bad for your looks, too? Dr. Zannis says that, “studies show that in addition to shortening your life by increasing your risk for heart and lung disease, smoking can activate enzymes that break down the elasticity of your skin. Even if you’re a closet smoker, the fine wrinkles and pallor that cigarettes cause can give you away — just one more reason to snuff out those smokes.”

You sleep with your face in the pillow

(Urban Mommy Elisa: Really? I sleep face down *when my kids let me sleep*)

Sleeping on your stomach or on your side with your face smashed into the pillow can create wrinkles and accelerate aging. “The connective tissue and collagen in your face becomes weaker and less supportive with age,” says Dr. Zannis. “So when you sleep on the same side of your face night after night, your skin won’t smooth out or spring back as quickly as it did when you were young.” Those crease lines from your pillow can become permanent. Sleep on your back or invest in a satin pillowcase to keep skin smooth.

 Cleaning facial skin too thoroughly.

(Urban Mommy Elisa: Love that squeaky clean feel)

After a long day, you want to get all the dirt, grease, and grime out of your pores by any means necessary, but this is a mistake that could cost your skin its youthful suppleness and glow. “When people use harsh soap in order to get a squeaky clean feel, they strip their skin of its natural oils and accentuate fine lines,” says Dr. Zannis. Stick to a gentle cleanser and don’t scrub, your skin will thank you later.

Aggressively removing your eye makeup.

(Urban Mommy Elisa: Like I have time to put eye make-up on, never mind take it off. But when I do, I love removing my eye makeup with coconut oil, it works and smells good too)

Taking off your makeup at night is important, but you should do it gently. The last thing you want to do is rub, tug, or scrap the skin around your eyes to get that last little bit of mascara off. “You can cause broken blood vessels and puffiness,” warns Dr. Zannis.

Sipping Through A Straw

(Urban Mommy Elisa: Yes, guilty. Not excessively – but hey, it was the 90s)

“Yes, repeated straw drinking causes people to purse their lips and can create wrinkles from the repetitive muscle motion,” says Dr. Zannis. He adds, “Much like repeated frowning causes wrinkles on the upper face.”

 

Dr. John Zannis

 Dr. Zannis

 John Zannis MD

 

www.Zannisplasticsurgery.com

Dr. John Zannis – New Bern, NC Plastic Surgeon, is married with three children. He has a passion for travel, languages, painting, and guitars.

Dr. Zannis is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. From Cincinnati, Ohio, he studied Human Biology and Studio Art at Stanford University prior to entering Medical School. He obtained his Doctor of Medicine degree (M.D.) from the University of Cincinnati College Of Medicine.

His studies in art and art history in Florence, Italy cultivated a passion for the Renaissance and geniuses of that time such as Leonardo DaVinci. Dr. Zannis instills artistry and perfectionism into his practice of surgery. His keen interest in procedures like rhinoplasty stem from their sculptural nature and the challenge they pose: “Rhinoplasty is considered one of the most difficult surgeries to master.

Fashion stylist to the stars Alissia Marciano gets down and dirty on being a styling mommy

Posted on by Posted in 10 Questions With, Fame & Fam .
FEATURE -Alissia Marciano

instagramCelebrity Stylist Alissia Marciano (and fellow mom) talks to us about the best mommy digs! Alissia is also Urban Suburban Mommy’s regular fashion and lifestyle contributor.

Here is a list of Alissia’s must-have pieces every mom should own and why!

1. A black comfy biker leather jacket: See Saint Laurent’s biker leather jacket from the Spring 2016 ready to wear collection for inspiration: Simple, Rock n’ Roll and easy!

Make sure to have a biker inspired jacket. Not only is it stylish and edgy but it wears well with all the wear and tear your clothes something go through with having children.

2. A slim/skinny pair of black ankle jeans (can take you into evening with a pair of heels): A skinny or slim pair of black ankle jeans give a nice long elongated silhouette and also hides all those kiddie spills. It’s also a great transition piece to have if you end up having an impromptu dinner plan. Simply add a pair of heels, shoulder duster earrings and a red lip and you’re good to go. (All of those things can easily be carried in your ‘diaper’ bag.)

9c63541cf433f883b045fc67228c32bb3. A pair of converse: A pair of white converse always gives an outfit a hip rock n’ roll edge. It adds a tomboy feel to a feminine look. Whether it’s pairing them with a cute summer dress or with a pair of skinny black jeans it adds the perfect amount of attitude. Plus the comfort factor is a 10:)

4. Ballet flats or leather moccasins: Having these options in your wardrobe will easily add a soft and feminine or bohemian touch to your outfit.

5. A stylish ’diaper’ bag that can double as a purse- Big note here: you DON’T HAVE to buy a “DIAPER” bag. You just need to have a bag big enough to accommodate all your baby’s necessities and some of your own personal belongings. There are many great options out there that are stylish and kid friendly. Here are a few examples:

6. Heels: There should be enough room in your ‘diaper’ bag to put your heels in because who knows if you might drop the kids off at their grandparents and have an impromptu drink with your partner after a long day. Heels will always elongate the leg, make you walk differently and feel sexier in an instant.

shoulder duster earings7. A pair of shoulder duster earrings: To be on trend for Spring 2016 simply add a pair of shoulder duster earrings to your look for those special evenings out!

8. Lace bras and underwear – You still need to feel sexy: Ditch those nursing bras post breastfeeding and then get properly fitted for your new bras. Cotton sport bras just won’t do it, mothers. The closest things on our body are our undergarments. Lace, silk and satin have the ability to make us feel sexy. So why not treat ourselves and bodies to that every day and first thing in the morning.

9. A good pair of shades: With all the late nights that come along with being a mother invest in a good pair of sunglasses for those sleepless nights.

red lips10. A red/pink lipstick: I find that a nice red or pink lip always livens up the face along with a nicely mascara’d eye.

11. A good serum, face and eye cream: Make sure to drink plenty of water through out the day and always apply a good quality serum, face and eye cream. We cannot forget to take care of ourselves.

2. Are there better patterns or fabrics for moms?

Cottons, linens, silks, natural fabrics are the best to gravitate towards. You want to wear fabrics that breath. A mom is always on the go and multitasking.

When it comes to patterns choose one piece of clothing to highlight with a graphic print. I know on the runway for spring 2016 we’re are seeing some print on print. But I would suggest easing into it and focusing on piece to showcase. For example a scarf, shoes, purse or top. For those moms who shy away from intense graphic prints the classic stripe reinvented does the trick.

3. Tips for moms in a rut about their appearance who instead, live in sweat pants?

It’s one of the most wonderful things in the world to be a mother. It does however come with it’s fair share of challenges. Late nights, running around and at times wearing yourself thin. It’s extremely important to carve out time for yourself to recalibrate. It may seem easier to slip on sweat pants to start your day off but in fact it will prove to be a disservice to you as a woman in the long run. Let’s face it sweats are comfortable but should be reserved for the gym or late nights at home. It’s important to maintain that feminine side that feels sexy and desired. It may seem like more effort to get properly dressed in the morning with a hint of makeup but you will see that your day will somehow go a little bit smoother. You know the saying ‘dress for success’. Well mothers should take that message and adapt it to their everyday lives. Each and every day should try to be a success. Whether it’s driving your kids to school, around to other activities or changing diaper after diaper each one of those little tasks completed is a small success. And why not do all of that while looking good! A women’s whole attitude changes when we feel and look great. Living in sweats will only get you in a slump so shed those clothes and step it up a notch. I am not talking about red carpet ready looks in the beginning. Start with baby steps and curate a small wardrobe for yourself that is effortlessly chic. Being a mother I know that time is precious so everything must be quick and easy. Having these pieces in your closet will make you feel like a new and revived woman when starting your day.

Moms – Here is my complete list of must haves for your closet:

-Slim/skinny black pair of ankle jeans
-black button down shirt
-blazer
-biker leather jacket
-vintage looking rock n roll tee
-light weight sheer cotton t-shirts in white, black and gray
-a couple spanish inspired blouses ( a few ruffles adds a nice touch)-lace bras and underwear
-a lingerie inspired slip dress (effortless and easy) for those special evenings out
-converse
-ballet flats/ moccasins
-heels

Make sure to check out some of Alissia’s upcoming posts right here at Urban Suburban Mommy.

AlissiaAlissia Marciano is an international fashion and wardrobe stylist, as well as, an on-air celebrity fashion host. Currently based in Los Angeles, she has worked and forged her talent around the world in such cities as Paris, New York, Vancouver, and Toronto. From guest appearances on Rachael Ray, to the countdown to the Oscars on the red carpet with E!, and co-hosting Look A Like and Sexy Girl,  Alissia is a prominent figure in the fashion industry and her success has earned her the reputation of a highly sought after international fashion and celebrity stylist. Beyond fashion and music, Alissia’s portfolio includes an extensive list of advertising clients including Diesel, ESPN, Nike, Acura, Orbit, and CAT. Her eclectic mix of femininity and rock n’ roll has graced the pages of such publications as L’Uomo Vogue, Neo 2 (Spain), Entertainment Weekly, New York Moves, Wonderland (Japan), The National (UAE) and Filler to name a few. In addition to her work in the industry, Alissia has two beautiful boys with whom she shares many wonderful adventures and creates lasting memories with, surfing and skateboarding being two of their favorite activities.