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Babies & Beauty Routines

How does a woman’s beauty routine change after her first child is born?

The early morning is a curious time of day — a heavy sense of tired greats you as you wake, but slowly throughout the morning things become lighter, clearer, louder, busier, rushed. There are the usual things on the agenda: coffee, shower, breakfast, beauty routine, and be sure not to forget your keys as you run out the door.

Now, let’s add the needs of a newborn baby. What part of your routine stays, and what goes? If there’s ever a time a woman faces a complete overhaul of her beauty routine, it’s when her first baby is born.

Alison Egan, a local Chicago Montessori teacher and mother of a six-month-old baby boy, thought that all her experience with children would prepare her for her own child, but it didn’t: “I thought it would be easy since I would have one child compared to 20, but it wasn’t. I can’t hand Harry back. He’s all mine.”

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We asked Alison to share with us what her beauty routine was before she had her son, Harry, and what her beauty routine was after he was born.

Alison explained: “My routine is a lot different now that it was before I had Harry. Before I was much more focused on my skin rather than make up — I spent a lot of time on cleansing and moisturizing, with minimal time spent on makeup. The makeup I wore was tinted moisturizer, some bronzer, and mascara. As for my hair, I spent much more time on it pre-Harry. I’d straighten it and style it frequently.”

It’s clear to see that Alison had much more time to primp and prep when the morning could be all about her, but after she became a mom, the mornings turned into messy buns and a bit of lipstick.

“After I had my son, concealer became my new best friend. And coffee. And usually sunglasses. I began to forget all the regular aspects of my beauty routine, especially the basics. I’d forget to put earrings in. Or mascara. Or my lipstick. Then of course, just as you put on a beautiful top, baby spits up.”

 

We were curious: Why did it change so much?

Alison explained, “getting ready is all about getting Harry ready. If I have an hour, I usually have to get him ready. 50 of those minutes are for him, and that’s it.”

With kids it’s always 80/20, but it’s okay because they need you and you need them. Having a child makes you a better person because it is no longer about you, it’s about caring and nurturing for another person. You become selfless. What once seemed routine or mundane becomes a special event. However, as GIT Mom would say, it’s just as important to take time out of your busy schedule to pamper yourself.

If you’re in need of a pampering session, Blowtique is available for all your needs.

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HAIR ENVY: Kelli Zink

Monday is back with a vengeance today, but that won’t stop us from sharing our latest hair envy feature with you: Kelli Zink – time for your daily dose of Zink! Kelli is a contributor to FOX Chicago and is also the host of CelebTV so she was the perfect person to ask to share style secrets, product must-haves and more. Kelli is known for her bubbly personality and impeccable fashion sense, but did you know that she’s terrified of fame? For more fun facts about Kelli and a behind-the-scenes peek into her life, keep reading!

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What’s your current occupation?: Host of CelebTV and Fox Chicago contributor.

How’d you get into the field, and why?: I was born with a microphone in my hand and loved the thought of being famous. Now I have a Michigan State University journalism degree, an ESPN reality show win and several internships at TV stations to credit for paving my career path. I’m still waiting for that “famous” thing to kick in (just kidding, fame terrifies me)!

What are a few of your favorite Chicago hot spots?: 25 Degrees, Barcito, Purple Pig, Mastro’s bar and my boyfriend’s couch.

Take us through your daily beauty routine: How much time do you have? Consider this: I get camera ready for work, sometimes twice a day, 5 days a week… then, I take it all off. It’s a second job, without a doubt.

Do you have a go-to hairstyle? If so, what is it?: Lately, I’ve been going with length, caramel highlights with a touch of body and a sassy side bang. It’s a combination of Christina Morales, who does my extensions, and Hans VanDoornick, who cuts my hair.

How do you take care of yourself with such a busy schedule? What’s most important to you – skin, hair, body, etc?: It’s most important that people notice nothing and just think I look happy and glowy. That means doing heated yoga as much as possible, using Eleven Skincare and a combination provided by my dermatology team (Dr. Carolyn Jacob), airbrush tans from Glamour Girl, eliminating meat and most dairy from my diet, being asleep by 9:30pm on school nights, the occasional B-12 injection, E3 Live and cool beam facials from Exhale.

Do you vary your look season to season? How does your routine change in the summer vs. winter?: I find, like most women, that less is more in the summer and try to go without much makeup. False lashes and eye makeup are NOT cute during boat season. A little bb cream, highlighter and lip gloss goes a long way when it’s steamy out. In the winter, I moisturize like a banshee and tend to do a dramatic or shimmery eye. My skin is AWFUL, and I am in a constant battle to not look like a 14 year old boy as the seasons change… so a day without needing concealer is like heaven.

What are a few of the season’s best hair trends?: Healthy natural hair that isn’t “done,” the “Giuliana” bob, and ski hat season is right around the corner.

Biggest beauty splurges?: Everything. The Tria blue light and the cost of prescriptions and washes for my face pretty much take the cake.

What does a bad hair day look like for you?: Humidity, a hot yoga sesh, and kinks are not good.

Would you rather – hair down or hair up?: Down – always.

Whose hair do you envy?: Blake Lively, Karlie Kloss, Ciara, and Jennifer Lopez.

What’s a style you’d love to try at Blowtique that would be too hard to try at home?: Retro Hollywood glam waves.

Anything else you’d like to add?: I’m lucky to have a boyfriend who encourages me to “strip” when I’m not working and take off all the makeup and products and go au natural. However, he always notices a killer blow-out.

For more information on Kelli, visit CelebTV, follow her on Twitter or check out her Instagram!

Hair Envy: Dallas Shaw

Known to many as the ‘it-girl illustrator’ and style expert, Dallas Shaw has made a career of translating style into design. Not only has she worked with brands like WWD, Lucky Magazine and DKNY (to name a few), she also maintains her own blog and graciously does features like our new Hair Envy, sharing her style secrets, beauty must-haves and more! 

ImageWhat’s your current occupation?: I’m an artist, of sorts. I am a fashion illustrator who develops creative marketing campaigns and collaborates with large brands.

How’d you get into the field, and why?: I loved fashion and had an artistic talent so I combined the two and  started my own business.

You draw for some pretty great brands – any favorite projects?: It’s like asking someone to pick a favorite child! 🙂 They are all favorites for very different reasons.

Aliza Licht (aka DKNY PR Girl) is known for her hair – has she ever offered any tips?: Haha! I draw her hair, you know, so do I get some credit for that? She has not, but we do both get our hair done by the Fekkai team in NYC.

Take us through your daily beauty routine: I am lucky that my job requires me to review and try out tons of new lines and beauty products so I can get through a routine quickly. My routine consists of quick skin prep, makeup (go-to products) and lots and lots of surf spray in my hair.

Do you have a go-to hairstyle? If so, what is it?: I really like my hair to be a little on the messy side and typically leave it down.  If I have a bit more time, I’ll curl it, but no matter what style, I like it to be a little out of place.

Do you vary your look season to season? How does your routine change in the summer vs. winter?: I don’t vary my look based on the season per say, but I do change it based on what I am wearing.

What are a few of the season’s best hair trends?: Loving the ponytail with a middle part right now.  And the angled cuts are really amazing – may try one soon.

Biggest beauty splurges?: I cannot, cannot stop buying Dolce and Gabbana beauty

What does a bad hair day look like for you?: Looks very similar to a top knot.

Would you rather – hair down or hair up?: Down. Always.

Whose hair do you envy?: Blake Lively has good hair, same with Lauren Conrad.  My list is always changing.

To learn more about Dallas, visit her website, her blog or follow her on Twitter

 

HAIR ENVY: Mel Muoio

We’re fortunate enough to meet some of Chicago’s most stylish women, and Mel Muoio is no exception. After working together earlier this month on a FOX Good Day Chicago fashion segment, we knew Mel was the perfect person to help launch our new series, Hair Envy. We’ll be talking with the city’s best tressed to learn their style secrets, product must-haves, and more!

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Name: Mel Muoio

What’s Your Current Occupation: Marketing Manager for Element Collective; fashion & lifestyle expert

Take Us Through Your Daily Beauty Routine: I shower every morning, using a combination of Neutrogena shampoo and Cow Shed products. I typically only blow-dry and curl my hair 2-3 times per week. When I am not shampooing, I use Oscar Blandi Dry Shampoo – it’s a lifesaver, as it lets me sleep in a little longer…

Do You Have a Go-To Hairstyle?: My hairstyle depends on the outfit. If my outfit is really busy, then I will straighten my hair. If my outfit is more subtle, then I will wear big curls parted down the middle, which is my signature boho look.

What Are a Few of Your Must-Have Beauty and Hair Products?: Oscar Blandi dry shampoo, Cow Shed and I love L’occitane lotions.

Do You Vary Your Look Season-to-Season?: I definitely have a signature style each season. This past season, I went after a lot of metallics. For the fall, I will be wearing more black and vibrant red to showcase some happiness in the cooler months.

What Are a Few of the Season’s Best Hair Trends?: The severe side part – it looks so fresh and youthful. 

Biggest Beauty Splurges?: I like Jo Malone scents, and Laura Mercier face products, but a facial from Olga at Exhale is probably my favorite beauty splurge.

What Does a Bad Hair Day Look Like For You?: I look like a frizzy-haired poodle if I don’t ‘tame the shrew.’ 

Whose Hair Do You Envy?: On Pinterest, I have a board called ‘Hair Crushes!’ I love Jessica Chastain’s hair – it makes me want to be a redhead. As for blondes, Brigitte Bardot will always be my ultimate hair crush.

For more on Mel, visit melmuoio.com, or follow her on Twitter at @MelMuoio!