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You are here: Home / Habits for a Happy Husband / Taking Care of You

September 7, 2011 by: Kim Ashbaugh

Taking Care of You

As moms, we tend to forget ourselves and take care of everyone else in our families.  Yet, as wives, we need to take care that we do not neglect our grooming and appearance, as these are important to our husbands, and even our children.  (I’ll never forget my middle schooler saying to me one morning:  “Mom, when are you going to put on some makeup?”!)  Following are my tips for a simple beauty/grooming routine, with suggestions for some of my favorite products.

#1:  Protect your skin from the sun!  Especially your face, neck, and the back of your hands.  Women show age the fastest here.  A sunscreen I love for these areas is Neutrogena Age-Shield face.  (8.99 at Target, look for the ones with an “extra” bundled with the product)  One 3 oz. tube lasts me several months.  Apply a.m. after cleansing; under moisturizer and makeup.

#2:  Have a skin care program!  It doesn’t have to be expensive.  Just use a cleanser and moisturizer made for your skin type.  For best results, your cleanser and moisturizer should be the same brand.  I love Mary Kay Timewise cleanser and moisturizer (It lasts about 6 months and is 40.00 for the set from your Mary Kay consultant… or ask her how you can get it free!)  You can also purchase skin care sets by Neutrogena, Oil of Olay, etc. at your retail store.   The important thing is to use a cleanser made for faces, and to hydrate (even oily skin needs hydration.)  If your skin is really oily, a toner helps as well.  This can be a retail brand, or just some witch hazel applied with a cotton ball.

#3:  Rest!  Younger moms, you may need to nap when your kids nap.  It’s so tempting to get something done during that time.  When I had a colicky baby, I took a nap in the afternoon, because that’s when she slept the best.  My husband preferred coming home to a later dinner rather than a cranky wife.  You will look better and feel better.  My favorite products for rest?  A free ipod app. called “Sleep Machine Lite” that produces white noise (“crickets” is my favorite) and a sleep mask to keep out the light (Bathery luxury sleep mask, 5.49 at Target).

#4:  Exercise.  It doesn’t have to be triathalon training.  Or at a gym.  Purchase some hand weights and spend 10 min. 3 times a week “strengthening your arms” as it says in Prov. 31:17.  (Most women begin with 5# weights, available in the sporting goods sections at retail stores.)  Put the toddlers in the double-stroller and walk around your neighborhood.  Pop in a pilates CD.  Find what works for you, and make it a routine.  `

#5:  Watch the sugar:  This is one I have not mastered, so I’m talking to myself!   I have learned the hard way that we cannot indulge in treats the way we did when we were teenagers.  My trick (when I’m doing it right) is to not make desserts on a regular basis, and to have a bite of hubby’s dessert when we’re out or at a special event.  I get to taste it without over-indulging.   Your weight, as well as your skin, will thank you.   If you know me, you know I struggle with this constantly, because I love to bake!

#6:  Groom your nails:  You can stop laughing now!   I know your nails are in dishwater, changing diapers, or both all day long!  I only mean to keep them filed (I definitely prefer mine short!) and cuticles at bay.  Maybe even some clear polish for church or date night.  Nothing fancy, just neat.  I love white cotton gloves, found in the health and beauty section of your retail store.  Massage Vaseline onto hands and cuticles at night, put gloves on, and have soft, smooth skin and cuticles in the morning.

#7:  Soften feet:  My absolute favorite foot-softening product is the Ped Egg, 9.99 at Target and some other retail stores.  It works well to smooth away dead skin.  I soak my feet first, use the ped egg (you could also use a pumice), rinse, apply vaseline followed by socks, and in the morning, have soft, smooth feet ready for sandal wear!

#8:  Get a good haircut!  This doesn’t have to be expensive.  Perhaps you have a friend who cuts her own hair, and it looks great.  You, on the other hand, bake great brownies.  Offer to barter… one haircut for a batch of homemade brownies!  Hair products differ for each hair type and color, but I’ll recommend that if you’re using the cheapest, you upgrade just one degree.  Coupons cut from the Sunday paper combined with sales will often get you those products at the same price or less than the least expensive brands.

#9:  Smile!  Your true beauty comes from within.  (Brushing and flossing daily helps, too!)

#10:   Have a simple makeup routine.  How surprised would your husband be if he came home and you were wearing makeup?  Would he feel honored that you got “fixed up” just for him?  Three little products can make a difference:  mascara, blush, and lip gloss.  Peaches and pinks soften your skin tone and create a more youthful look (and who doesn’t want that!)  See your Mary Kay consultant, or purchase drug store items with coupons.

Lastly, remember that true beauty comes from within.  When a woman knows who she is in Christ, her joy radiates outward to everyone around her, making them feel comfortable in her presence and happy to be around her.
Wife and homeschooling mother of three, Kim enjoys reading, writing, and watching old movies. A self-proclaimed chocoholic, she also loves to cook and bake. You can find more of her musings (and recipes) at thedaisymuse.com.

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Comments

  1. felinafeathers says

    September 7, 2011 at 8:02 AM

    Thank you for this article, I know this is something I need to work on. On too many days, I look like frazzled, frumpy Mommy and that’s not what I want my husband or children to think of when they think of me.

    Reply
  2. daisymuse says

    September 7, 2011 at 12:00 PM

    We all have our areas we need to work on! =) I get fixed up every day but don’t work hard enough on my weight.
    I do remember when I was teaching first grade…I used to wear clothes that were not as nice, since I didn’t want to get them dirty with chalk, etc. One day I decided to dress nicely from then on, and even wear perfume. The students and I were all in happier moods after that!

    Reply
  3. Tricia says

    September 7, 2011 at 3:13 PM

    Kim, thank you for this encouragement. Making time for mom does definitely spread blessings in our home in many ways. Love your simple steps and tips.

    Reply
  4. margie says

    September 10, 2011 at 1:22 AM

    Ok. So a couple from church came and watched the kids tonight…even the 5 month old…and I knocked off school early to get ready. I put on make – up and a cute dress and some boots. Before daddy even made it home my 7 year old son said, “wow mommy, you look pretty”! Daddy had the same reaction. We have 5 young kiddos and due to nursing, exhaustion and never eating a hot meal lol I am thin but I seldom do more than a ponytail and I never do make – up. It made me feel great to see the look on my husband’s face as he walked me to our table at dinner. I’m glad I took the time to fix myself up and I appreciate your low fuss recommendations.

    Reply
  5. Kim A. says

    September 11, 2011 at 10:31 PM

    Margie, I read your comment with tears in my eyes! So happy that something I wrote could make a difference in the life of someone I don’t even know!
    Blessings!
    =)

    Reply
  6. Angie says

    September 15, 2011 at 9:46 AM

    Awesome!! I never do any of this except the make-up , I need to get to work on myself =)

    Reply
    • daisymuse says

      September 15, 2011 at 10:11 AM

      Angie, you always look great! Your figure is gorgeous. Give yourself some credit! =)

      Reply
  7. MichelleL says

    May 26, 2012 at 9:36 PM

    I totally agree with the marykay stuff. That stuff works wonders and it really does last like months. So it’s quite cheap in the long run. Another thing. About the nails. They have this gel nail polish now for natural nails. It costs $15ore than the regular manicure but it lasts forever. They say 2 weeks, but I’ll get the French manicure done and it looks great for up to 4 weeks for me. And I do all my dishes by hand and I do yard work and I don’t wear gloves when Using chemicals to clean the house. And having nice nails does wonders for my moral and confidence.

    Reply

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