Fake the glow

The tired mom's get-real guide to party prep

By Jacqueline Kovacs

Ah, the winter holidays: the perfect time to indulge in a little celebrating with friends and family. Just snuggle your little snow angels into bed, slip into something pretty and head off into the snow-sparkled night with your spouse, radiating good cheer.

Yeah, right. If you're a busy mom like me, chances are the only radiating you feel is a burning sensation when you get two minutes to close your weary eyes. Making it through a holiday gathering — and looking good in the process — can seem more daunting than delightful.

But fear not. A few pointers from the pros can transform you from sleepless to sensational in record time. Here's how to get glowing — fast.

From the inside out
Feeling rejuvenated — at least enough to last a few hours at a party — means both soothing and stimulating your body. Jennifer MacInnis, the assistant spa director at Willow Stream Spa at The Fairmont Banff Springs in Alberta, has some tips on how to do both.

Head out: Before you clean yourself up, take yourself out. "A 10- to 15-minute brisk walk in the fresh, crisp air can do wonders," says MacInnis. "As a mother of young children, you've probably been inside the house quite a bit that day and will find the fresh air invigorating. Plus it's a time with no interruptions, no demands, so it's a bit of a mental boost." MacInnis adds that the exercise will get your blood circulating, making you feel energized and putting some colour in your face.

Eat smart: Avoid starchy and greasy foods the day of your big night out, advises MacInnis. "Those foods will only make you feel heavy and tired," she says. Instead, energize with whole grains, lots of greens and whatever kind of fish you like. Just make sure you do eat, even if it's just a healthy snack: You'll feel less tired and help prevent the "cheers" part of all the good cheer from going right to your head.

Get wet: Soak away your stress in a warm, fragrant bath — just make sure the fragrance isn't rosemary or lavender. "Those scents tend to be very relaxing and may make you want to sleep," says MacInnis. Instead, opt for orange blossom or mint-scented bath products to both soothe and invigorate you.

Take that sensation a step further by smoothing on an after-bath gel after you dry off. MacInnis recommends an aloe or aloe algae gel. "You get a cooling sensation that helps you wake up," she says. "Plus it's hydrating and has a clean texture, so your skin looks and feels good."

Slough off: Not the tub type? Try this shower solution: With the warm water flowing, use a granular body exfoliant and rub it on your skin in a circular motion away from your heart. "This helps to get the blood flowing," says MacInnis. Then, when you're all scrubbed up, rinse off with cool water and finish off with a hydrating lotion. The overall effect is smooth skin, revved-up circulation and a wide-awake feeling.

From the outside in
OK, so your body's all clean and polished, but what about that sallow skin? That eye luggage? As the cliché goes, looking good can make you feel good, so here are some helpful hints for putting your best face forward.

Smooth surface: Buff up your complexion with a gentle scrub cleanser, advises Toronto makeup artist Pippa Leavy. "You need six to eight hours of uninterrupted sleep for your skin to rejuvenate," she says. "And most new moms aren't getting that." By exfoliating, Leavy says, you can help that process along. But use something gentle, she warns: You don't want to be dealing with redness.

Baggage handler: Got puffy eyes? Get an aloe vera eye gel and chill it in the fridge. Then dot it around your eyes and leave it on "for as long as it takes to change a diaper," says Leavy, before gently wiping it off. "This is very soothing and it reduces redness and puffiness around the eyes."

Face up: Put your complexion in its best light by using a foundation with light-reflecting particles. The look is luminous and, says Julie Lynas of the Make-up & Hair Artist Group in Toronto, "it's not heavy, but you get a lot of coverage." Then set it all with a light dusting of loose powder — "but only in the T-zone," says Lynas.

Not a foundation person? Then opt for a tinted moisturizer, says Leavy. This will help hydrate your face while helping to even out skin tone. For a little colour in your cheeks, go for a sheer blush — soft peach or pink works well if you have red in your skin, while orange and peach are good on darker tones. For a quick perk-up, bronze works well for most skin tones. "But focus on the apples of your cheeks," says Lynas. "People make a mistake trying to contour their faces."

Lip service: For staying power, Lynas recommends a lip stain. Plus, she says, it'll hold up if you plan to kiss any babies. Leavy, meanwhile, favours a clear, glossy red. "It's a good, polished look," she says. "You'll look like you're actually done up a bit."

Eye openers: When it comes to your peepers, think up and out, says Leavy, for a wide-awake look. Try an eye shadow a little lighter than your skin in a gentle shimmer rather than a frost. Beware of purple or grey-browns, Lynas warns: "They can make your skin look ashy or dull." A quick brightener? Put a dot of a white or light-coloured shadow in the inner corner of your eye to reflect the light, reducing tired-looking shadows.

And don't forget the mascara. "It does wonders when you're tired," states Leavy. But don't do your lower lashes: It'll just end up under your eyes, making you look worn out.

And we don't want that.

Originally published in Today's Parent, November 2004