Ruth Crilly, model, blogger, busy mum and cofounder of the Colab dry shampoo brand shares her five favourite time-saving beauty products.
In the blurry first weeks and months of new motherhood, when it takes a monumental effort just to get dressed, let alone put on makeup, you need quick and easy beauty products that really pull their weight. Here are my ultimate time-savers for hair, face and nails – this is low-key, low-maintenance grooming at its very best.
Cleansing
I’m a stickler for proper cleansing with an oil or balm but sometimes, especially when you have a brand new baby, it’s just not possible to spend time loitering at the sink. Micellar waters were made for these moments, and L’Oréal’s Bi-Phase is a beefed-up version that removes even stubborn makeup with minimal effort. Quick to dissolve dirt, easy to wipe away and no greasy residue, this handy cleanser has saved me from falling asleep in my makeup more than a few times.
L'Oréal Paris Bi-Phase Micellar Water 400ml, £5.99, available at Boots
Exfoliating
When you want to perk up tired, dull skin, acid exfoliants are one of the fastest ways to go about it. Liquid Gold from Alpha-H is simplicity itself; swipe on with cotton wool and then leave overnight for renewed, glowing skin. It’s safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding and a big bottle will last for ages – it’s a brilliant quick fix, especially if you have no time for face masks.
Alpha-H Liquid Gold, £33.50, available at Cult Beauty
Complexion Enhancing
If full makeup application feels like too much effort, then a good complexion enhancer will leave your skin looking brighter and more even-toned. I love the Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream from bareMinerals for its fresh, lightweight feel and healthy, sheeny finish. The coverage is sheer but application is fast and foolproof, which is what I want on days when timings are tight.
bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream, £28, available at bareMinerals
Nail Polishing
Spending time maintaining a perfect polish job is never top of my to-do list. I tend to go for nude shades so that the odd chip or dink won’t be too obvious. I wear the Sheer Wisdom Nail Tinted Moisturiser from Butter London, which makes my nails look glossy and healthy and is a cinch to apply. It makes my hands look more cared-for with the most minimal effort.
Butter London Sheer Wisdom Nail Tinted Moisturiser, £15, available at Look Fantastic
Hair Reviving
Between hair washes I use a dry shampoo to absorb any greasiness and give a bit of a lift at the roots. My Colab dry shampoo has no chalky residue so I can use loads of it and often – if my hair is down, then it stops it from looking lank; if I’m tying it back, then it adds some much-needed texture and volume. This is the ultimate time-saver on those days when a full hair wash is out of the question…
Colab Paradise Dry Shampoo, £3.50, available at Beauty Mart
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