More than a Pony tale?

kristenncl

Any working moms out there able to pull off more than a pony tale in their daily routine? My baby is 4 months old and I feel like I hardly have time to shower twice a week. I want to be looking good, at least less zombe-like (all hail the sleepless nights of the 4 month wakeful). Any advice on scheduling/quick dos/safe makeup for breastfeeding moms/etc?

dizzycooks

I wish you luck.  It took me 6 months after returning to work (DD was 14 months old then) to realized I actually had time again to curl my hair in the morning.  I started showering in the morning around 10 months old.  It was great!  Have you thought about getting a cut that you can blow dry quickly and doesn't need a bunch of touchups?

financialdiva

I shower at night and have to wash my hair everyday or it looks really greasy.

Since my hair is dry in the am, I invested in a really good straightener and run it through my hair to smooth it out and curl it under. Takes me maybe 5mins. Granted, I also have a shoulder length bob.

I quickly apply tinted moisturizer, brush on some eyeshadow, eyeliner on the top lid only, mascara, the brush on some bronzer on cheeks, nose, and forehead. Another 5 mins.

shannm

Are you willing to go short?  I have a bob and it takes me about five minutes to blow dry after my shower.

kristenncl

I'll have to try getting my stuff together at night. I have a ton of thick curly hair (which by the way is falling out all over the place right now, on my clothes, on the floor, on the baby, terrible), and like some of you I shower at night and let it dry by morning. There isn't a hair straightener in the world that could tame my mane in less than 45 minutes. So I was planning to get it chemically straightened until I learned this was a no-no until I'm done breastfeeding. 

As for makeup, because I've been missing mine dearly for the past year and now, what brands do you trust to not have harsh chemicals or anything that could harm baby? 

thedash

kristenncl:

I'll have to try getting my stuff together at night. I have a ton of thick curly hair (which by the way is falling out all over the place right now, on my clothes, on the floor, on the baby, terrible), and like some of you I shower at night and let it dry by morning. There isn't a hair straightener in the world that could tame my mane in less than 45 minutes. So I was planning to get it chemically straightened until I learned this was a no-no until I'm done breastfeeding. 

As for makeup, because I've been missing mine dearly for the past year and now, what brands do you trust to not have harsh chemicals or anything that could harm baby? 

It never occurred to me to change my makeup brands while nursing or pregnant. I use a combo of drugstore and department store stuff. 

ETA: I would never, ever go to work with no makeup. I cannot imagine it. I have probably left my house without mascara two times in the past five years and one of those times I was in active labor. So I guess I'm a makeup person. 

kristinc01

What if you slept in a braid? Then your hair would be wavy but not crazy in the morning.  I can't really pull off a ponytail at work as I need to have a more professional look.  My hair is straight but if I go to bed with it wet it is crazy in the morning.  For a quick a.m. fix I put my hair in two ponytails in the back (not side pig tails) then put in two or three hot rollers in each section while I get ready.  Then take it all out and it is curled for the day.  Curling the sections is way faster than just putting rollers all over my head.  You're hair may be too thick for this though.

preggersin2011

I have had some success with the hair styler type clips between the regular claws and the pony tails, one was a big "U" shape that worked pretty well. I never could figure out the spiral one. I also can do a french braid in about 3 mins. I will do a side part pony to make it look fancy. I also upgraded my hair products to a styling cream that will help my hair dry naturally and not look terrible. I also use a big clip a lot too.
If i do a regular pony, i will pull my hair through above the pony holder and tuck it in. it might be called flip or inside out or something like that

Dacey

I'm locked into ponytails, since my hair is long and thick, and a weird mix of straight and wavy.  For work, I like to do a dramatic side-part and an off-center low bun (a tousled bun, not a ballerina bun).  I still feel like I have my ponytail, but it looks like I put more effort!

team_kirsten

My hair is down my back and I have time to curl/straighten it every morning and put on makeup as well. I just wake up a few minutes earlier.

SparkySharky

I've been back at work 5 mos and haven't figured out a way to do my hair in the morning. I only wash it once a week and I try to put time aside on weekends to do it - but I discovered it just doesn't happen. 

It's easier, imo, to encourage curliness when you want a low-maintenance hair style. I got sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner and an antihumidity cream (all Loreal) that work very well. If I wear it down, I put on John Frida smoothing serum which helps a lot with flyaways and ugliness. When it's down, I'll pull back just the middle part or wear a headband.

If it's up, it's usually in a bun, b/c of the ugliness of a ponytail that is half curly, half straight. I also do a loose, side french braid that usually gets compliments. A side bun would work, too.

I also keep toying with the idea of just having my hair done once or twice a month. It's not expensive (only $20 with my stylist) and it would be a great way to pamper yourself once in awhile. 

SparkySharky

Oh, I've also looked into rollers that you can sleep in, but haven't pulled the trigger on that, either.

emberlee3

I really don't think makeup is harmful for your baby. 

Have you consulted with a hair stylist who is experienced with your hair type?  It's probably not realistic to fight the natural texture of your hair.  There may be styles that are low-maintenance for your curly hair.  It sounds like you have the hair type that does not require frequent washing--consider yourself lucky!  I would love to only wash twice a week, but if I go more than a day my hair is nasty.

laurakaz13

I went with lots of buns, but then decided to cut it into a cute bob.  It's now just above my shoulders and I blow dry and straighten it. 

kristenncl

I don't know how I missed there being an eco-friendly board. Thanks for the tip!

boogerbearoriginal

I am probably not the best person to ask, the only makeup I've ever worn on a daily basis is mascara which I can throw on at redlights if need be. Sometimes I don't even wear mascara to work. And my hair is stick straight so I just wear it down or in a pony tail or bun. But I can shower at night when LO goes to bed, and it's fine in the morning without any work.

I think PPs suggestion of talking with a stylist about the best low-maintenance cut for your curly hair. I would think shorter cut with a cute headband would be a easy way to wear it naturally and not have to deal with "styling" it daily.