LOOK LESS TIRED: A MAKEUP TUTORIAL

As a new Mum, or even a not-so-new mum, looking tired is a common problem. Makeup isn't going to solve it, but I found that just putting aside 5 minutes (actually Lyra loves playing with the little boxes) to make an effort just helps you to feel a lot better! 

And if you're not a regular make-up wearer, then this video is helpful even if you just use it for special occasions. 

This tutorial is pretty much exactly what I do, when I actually wear makeup. She uses really great products too. As a new mum, it's worth investing in a few new things (assuming you already have the essentials of foundation, mascara, eyeshadow & lipstick). These are my picks: 

Concealer for under the eyes ~  Yves Saint Laurent's Touche Éclat:

Illuminator serum ~ Lancome's Éclat Miracle:

Blush ~ Mac's Powder Blush in Desert Rose:

A light eyeliner for the lower water-line ~ Dior's Crayon Khôl in white (although the girl in the video makes a point that a nude shade would be less harsh if you're not wearing much else on the eyes):

And here's a less-is-more makeup tutorial which will have you looking like you've had a full 8 hours sleep, even if you've been up all night with a baby!

Hope you like it!

HOME YOGA WORKOUT

I moved to Norway when I was 6 months pregnant, and wasn't sure if I'd find a good exercise class nearby. So I found a few yoga DVDs online, and tried them all out. I thought that 'Pregnancy Health Yoga with Tara Lee' was definitely the best one. 

Tara Lee

The teacher Tara Lee, who also has a famous pregnancy yoga class based in Notting Hill, focuses on improving strength and creating more space for the baby through stretching (which makes you feel more comfortable). She also helps with the typical ailments of pregnancy, like heartburn, sciatica and S.P.D (pelvic pain caused by the flexing of the pelvis during pregnancy).

You can choose to do the full practice, which is an hour long and quite strenuous, or choose a more specialised session, like relaxation, or partner work:

Main Menu of the DVD

Working out at home was great when I was pregnant because it was more flexible than a class. Even if you do find a class, its good to have something at home too as a compromise for when you're too busy or too tired (which does happen).

I did the full practice 4 or 5 times a week until the very end, and it kept me in shape during the pregnancy. I also had a really long labour (36 hrs!) which I never expected, but I think having practised yoga helped me to cope and focus for that time.

ANTI STRETCH MARKS KIT

Maybe I was lucky, because I didn't get any stretch marks from pregnancy. Or maybe my love of beauty products finally paid off. Here are some of my favourite products to keep stretch marks away...

Dermatologist recommended!

A dermatologist I was on holiday with told me that Aveeno is the best high-street product you can buy for dry skin. I swear by it, and since its so cheap, I always keep the cupboard stocked up. Aveeno Oil is brilliant, because you can use it in the shower and the bath. It creates a lovely milky wash, so there's no need to use soap. It stopped my skin from feeling the effects of those many, many baths I soaked in throughout pregnancy. 

For when you want to feel like a Moorish princess

This oil smells amazing. This was great in the last trimester when I felt tired and fed-up. When your other-half refuses to massage you for 'just 5 more minutes' go and take a bath in this REN Rose Otto Oil, its just as good. 

Natural skin care

Before you bath/shower, use a body brush on your bum and thighs to stop cellulite and stretch marks. Use long, upwards strokes. Beauty gurus say that by body brushing eliminates toxins by stimulating circulation and the lymph system. 

The knight in shining armour

This cult product's ability to treat and prevent stretch marks is a modern wives tale. I used Bio Oil twice a day (morning and evening) from the beginning of the second trimester, and whether or not it stopped me developing stretch marks will remain a mystery. But I don't have any, so...

Shea butter deliciousness

This moisturiser is made with grape seed butter and shea-butter, a natural product said to prevent stretch marks. I sometimes find that shea-butter based creams are too heavy, but this one sinks in to your skin quickly. Its the best Caudalie product I've discovered yet.