Genius Makeup Hacks for Moms from Finland to France

Where do moms look the least tired? Where does their skin glow the most? And where is getting ready the least amount of effort for maximum amount of chic? This is what I discovered.

After I become a mom in the US, I could hardly recognize myself in the mirror. The sleep deprivation, exhaustion and lack of time to take care of myself quickly did a number on my face. And, even though I knew better, I kept comparing myself to women I saw all around me (“how could they look so put together?)—well, all around me on social media and in the magazines.

Of course, American magazines retouch women into supernatural creatures, and the face-modifying filters in social media apps have only grown in popularity—and in how real they look—in the decade since I had my first baby. I first compensated by applying more makeup, by using more products, by adding things like lash extensions which honestly made my life just harder (the maintenance!), and by booking an appointment at a Vogue-recommended dermatologist, who thought I would be such a good candidate for a Botox study she was doing (you’ll look so great!) that she offered for me to get her wait-list worthy injections for free.

I said no… because right around that time, two other things happened. And these two other things completely changed my beauty routines and ideals.

First, I started spending more time in my native Finland and was inspired by how confidently women—moms—wore little to no makeup, showing off their glowing skin instead.

Second, I traveled to Paris, where a French makeup artist revealed the best hack to looking as chic and as well-rested as the local French moms.

So, back in my adopted home in the US, I combined both of these influences to come up with my current, simple and quick-to-apply look—my version of looking “like a French mom who’s kids sleep through the night” combined with looking like “a Finnish mom with a 1-3 year long parental leave”.

I did a video about it, and it’s now been covered on other sites and inspired well over a hundred questions on my look. So, this post is in response to all of your questions—and requests for links—and I hope it gives you inspiration to create your own, feel-good look!

Quick, Easy Nordic/ French Makeup Routine

For this look, the most important thing is to keep things super simple: less is more.

1. Glow

Because my life is not as Nordic as it would be if I actually lived in the Nordics year-round (my life in the US is Nordic-inspired), I feel like I need a little extra help with getting the type of glow that results from life not being so hectic.

So, I have been experimenting with different types of glow products, like moisturizers with extra glow, glow drops, illuminating primers or tinted moisturizers with glow.

The vegan Lune & Aster Real Glow Primer or alternatively their Real Glow Bronzing Primer have been my go-to, mixed with further illuminating skin tint like this or CC cream like this (with SPF).

However, I have recently fell in love with the Westman Atelier, a high-end natural brand, and now mix their Liquid Super Loaded Tinted Highlight skin drops with Vital Skincare Complexion Drops.

2. Face

I am always looking for the world’s best natural concealer, and currently I’m trying out this by Chantecaille which I really like (it doesn’t cover my under eyes as much as thicker concealers do, but it also doesn’t cake—I usually keep this one in my purse if I feel like I want to apply some on the go). I’m also using Westman Atelier Vital Skincare Concealer, which might be my favorite so far!

When it comes to cheeks, I stopped using blush even though I was a huge blush lover. Now, I only use highlighers in different tones. Why? Because you really get that “just did a cold plunge or went to a sauna” type of glow and it’s also much easier and faster to do it quickly. You could do this with any natural brand that has great highlighters, but I currently have two different tones of Westman Atelier Super Loaded Tinted Highlight (I alternate between the slightly pinker one Peau De Rose and the slightly bronze one Peau De Peche). You can apply the highlighter on your cheekbones and brush it almost up to your temples, in the middle of the bridge of your nose, and a tad on your eyelids, and under the brow. Use a brush and light touch! Check it in natural light to avoid overdoing it.

I also learned a new trick from the Westman Atelier makeup artist at Bergdorf Goodman, if my complexion feels too “red” (sometimes the skin on my face gets a bit red), instead of trying to cover it up with heavier foundation or tinted creams, just dab a little powder bronzer (Beauty Butter Powder Bronzer) on top of the cheeks and where sun would hit your face, after you applied your highlighter.

As for mascara, I only use one that washes off with warm water to both make removal easy and to avoid it smudging under the eyes, and my go-to in the US is this one by Lune & Aster.

And, for brows, I use a gel that adds tint and hold to get a fuller-looking eye brow.

3. Lips

I never used to be a fan of lipstick until I asked a Parisian mom and makeup artist at Couleur Caramel’s Paris boutique, in my basic French: “how can I look like a French mom whose kids sleep through the night?”

Nothing but mascara on your eyes, and always, bright lipstick: that will give you the pop you need."

We tried it and she was right. I experimented with a few different lipstick tones, until I found one—vegan and clean—that felt like it was created just for me: a blue-undertone berry-hued lipstick from Chantecaille, a classic French brand.

I have two versions of this: the proper “lipstick” in Poppy, and the lighter (and slightly shinier) version of the same hue called “lip chick” in Red Juniper, that’s possible to apply on the go and without looking into the mirror.

The trick to make lipstick easier and quicker to apply—and to stop it from bleeding over the lips—is first adding lipstick primer all over my lips, even beyond the lip lines. I then line my lips with this same color lip liner as my lipstick (in Desire), and dab the lipstick on on, blending it with a finger.

An easier version of this is to just dab the lipstick onto the lips with your finger: it looks really natural and soft. I’m now hooked—and I’m not the only one who’s a fan:

What’s Your Look?

As a mom with young kids, it makes life so much easier to have one simple beauty routine that you don’t need to think about, with only a few products on repeat. And, to have three levels of your look, based on how many minutes—and how much energy—you have:

• For “no time” days: Nordic bare-faced look: glow primer, concealer, and lip tint

• For “on the go” days: add on cream bronzer, blush & highlighter with your fingers and mascara and brow gel

• For “French chic” days: swap the lip tint to the lipstick

Would you try these?! Anything you would add, tips or products? And, what are your thoughts about Botox as a priority (I see more US women more focused on less wrinkles rather than more glow)?

PS. Want to share this with friends who like genius beauty hacks? Tap the button below:

Scandi Glossary

WELL-AGING = An alternative to anti-aging, well-aging is a beauty and health philosophy that’s all about living a fulfilling life, and nurturing your overall well-being to not just look better, but to feel better and live healthier and longer.

Scandi Smart

READ: I interviewed Vogue Scandinavia’s Previous Beauty Editor a little while back about Norway’s ban on face and body altering social media filters and how Nordics look so good on social—and it’s really interesting, I love his take!

My second recommendation is behind a pay wall (you’d need to subscribe to read) but Washington Post wrote about the tough choice American women have when it comes to social filters: viewers don’t want you to use them, but they still often want to watch women who use them. Want to know about my personal choice when it comes to filters? Let me know below!

WATCH: The video where I talk about this beauty look! I also recommend relaxing over an episode of Emily in Paris to see lots of red lip looks. Have you watched it?

SHOP: my skincare and makeup recommendations at Bluemercury. It’s been my go-to for years. I also like going to the Detox Market or Credo stores in NYC to discover and test new, natural brands.

x Annabella Daily