Fight the Frump -Beauty for Busy Moms

by Allison Worthington on May 2, 2008

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The number one thing that holds us back from embracing the ‘Fight Against Frump’ is how busy we are. Just think for a minute about everything you do in a day. The multitasking power alone is enough to make the manliest man cry.

Can I get an amen, Friends of Fussy?

I’m sharing my favorite tip for busy moms* who want to find ways to fit in a bit more fabulous in their day. (*Not to be confused with my friend, The Busymon, because I can attest she looks sup-fab in person already!)

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My favorite tip on finding time to slap on a little spackle put on makeup every morning and remembering to freshen up during the day is to simply keep it handy.

As y’all know, I am a very frugal gal. I love inexpensive make up from Target and finding buy one, get one free deals at Kroger for my favorite Loreal products. I have even found, be still my beating heart, a whole shipment of Revlon products at Big Lots that were mislabeled and had to be wholesaled. I still get all misty when I reminisce on that find!

Having all this make up lets me keep little beauty kits handy. Who has time to luxuriously get ready everyday? Shh, don’t tell, but…I can’t even shower everyday. I keep a set of products in my master bath, a little set in the half bath downstairs, in my purse and in the console of my car. When the products are handy, I am more likely to avoid frump.

I completely rely on the console packed full few items I keep in my car. Honestly, can’t we all agree that getting all the kids ready and out of the house in the mornings is as hard as herding cats? I love to get all the monkeys buckled up and take about 3 minutes to do my make up right there in the driveway. Yes Ma’am, I do!

The kids get used to it. "Mom is just putting her make up on." It becomes habit.

Now I don’t even mind getting stuck at a red lights because then I can add on a little blush. By the time I arrive at my destination, the frump has been eliminated.

Well, until I get out and notice I put on two different shoes. Hey, can’t win them all.

Love, Fussy

PS- Mrs. Fussypants does not endorse putting on make up in moving cars. No mascara was applied at 70 mph while prepping for this post.

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Now it is time for all of your supa-fab Frump Fighting tips and stories. Remember to give name & topic on the first line and link directly to the post’s URL on the second. Use the special graphic and link back here. Have fun!

{ 31 comments… read them below or add one }

Jane @ What About Mom? May 2, 2008 at 1:25 am

Love the new, wider middle column, and oh, the white space. Beautiful.

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themommykelly May 2, 2008 at 6:26 am

I always feel so much better after a quick makeup session. Yes, sir. Fight the frump!

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heather May 2, 2008 at 7:10 am

Now if only I could get great hair in the big tin box, life would be so much easier (flat iron, anyone)?

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Sister Honey Bunch May 2, 2008 at 7:27 am

I have never put my make up on in the car. What’s wrong with me?

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Joy May 2, 2008 at 8:12 am

I love makeup- I never leave my house without it!

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Dawn May 2, 2008 at 8:45 am

Like the post but every time I wear makeup, I look like and 9th grader…

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Carrott May 2, 2008 at 9:27 am

I love the Fight The Frump Fridays! This is the first time I’ve linked…but I promise I’ve given props everytime. Thanks Fussy!

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TX Poppet May 2, 2008 at 9:40 am

The centered text is magnifique in your three column format. I love. I’m not so glamorous as you, though. My glove compartment has roll on antiperspirant supposedly for the kids who sometimes realize they’ve forgotten on their way to school. I figure if I’ve got lipstick and I don’t stink, I’m good to go. What a frump I am!

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JessicaAPISS May 2, 2008 at 9:52 am

Oh no! I got too excited & double added my link – so sorry! Please take out #17.
I COMPLETELY do the makeup in the driveway too. The vanity mirror in the van shows all the brows that need to be yanked and the lighting is better. I also employ the sun roof for a natural blowout in a pinch.

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moosh in indy. May 2, 2008 at 9:57 am

Ah yes, I have a friend who is a professional high speed makeup applier. I however am a stop light applier like you.

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Sarah May 2, 2008 at 9:59 am

Gotta love the busy life! It is hard to get it all in. I was trying to clean one day and get ready and went to spray my hair one last time only too look up at a completely white hairdo and I am naturally brunette. Can you see what’s coming here? I had just sprayed Scrubbin’ Bubbles in my hair – and on my way out! Yikes. We try to fit too much in.

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Jungleswife May 2, 2008 at 9:59 am

Love the new layout. But then I love symmetry.
I have a question about the two different shoes – You can still see your feet?

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Valarie May 2, 2008 at 10:04 am

I have to admit that I have been know to put my make-up on while driving. I am trying to stop, really I am. Every time I go to put it on I can hear that guy from the AllState commercials come on. So I have been trying to just put it on at red lights or wait till I get to work. :)

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mouthybroad May 2, 2008 at 11:02 am

Dear Fussy,
I love your blog. I really do. I love that you are fighting frump! It is so easy to fall into frump. I don’t currently wear make-up, mostly out of laziness and sweatiness (public transportation is very hot at times, and I am always running to catch a bus after climbing several flights of escalator stairs!) I do want to know, since I definitely think you would be the authority, at what age do you think make-up becomes mandatory for a woman? I will confess, I am mere months away from turning 30. I do not want to embarrass myself and be “that woman” who needs make-up and doesn’t know it.
Also, I hope your bedrest is proving fruitful to your pregnancy. That must be very hard.
Sincerely,
Mouthybroad (a name meant to be FUNNY, not mean)

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EMama May 2, 2008 at 1:09 pm

Dear Mouthybroad,
I’m no professional frump fighter, and I’m months away from 30, too!
That being said, I want to put in a plug for lipgloss. It makes a world of difference and doesn’t have heat issues. However, it’s one of the worst as far as needing reapplication.
Love,
EMama

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mouthybroad May 2, 2008 at 2:35 pm

Hey thanks EMama! I think I will go get some!

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Darla May 2, 2008 at 4:31 pm

I don’t wear make up if I am just staying home all day and expecting no company(unless I’m having a seriously warped day LOL), but if I’m going out I always do my make-up.
I don’t have make up in all different places, I only have one child (that would kinda drive me crazy) but as he participates in more sporting activities I’m sure that could easily change (I’ve heard “waiting” is oh so fun).

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nancypants May 2, 2008 at 4:41 pm

Did you know that putting on make up is actually called “farding”? It is. Don’t fard while driving. It can be hazardous to your health and safety. ;^P

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Laura May 2, 2008 at 6:26 pm

I took the advice and threw my make-up bag and a hair brush in my purse today! I didn’t get the make-up out, but I did run the brush through my hair not once…but TWICE! I was right proud of myself! :)

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Carrie May 3, 2008 at 2:05 am

I am always putting on my make up in the driveway!
High Five to you!

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Sandy (Momisodes) May 3, 2008 at 10:10 am

I am so guilty of applying makeup 1-handed while driving. Could explain the crooked lipstick sometimes ;)

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Alison @ This Wasn't In The Plan May 3, 2008 at 12:27 pm

Keeping make-up in the car is such a good idea. Too many times I get the kids loaded up, buckle myself in, and then check the rearview mirror only to realize I never got around to putting any make up on that day.

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Alison @ This Wasn't In The Plan May 3, 2008 at 12:27 pm

Keeping make-up in the car is such a good idea. Too many times I get the kids loaded up, buckle myself in, and then check the rearview mirror only to realize I never got around to putting any make up on that day.

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Peapodsquadmom May 6, 2008 at 12:38 pm

OK…can I just say how much I LOVE that you are willing to admit you don’t always have time to shower?!?! I’m pretty much in that boat myself these days. But you’d better believe I never leave home without makeup! I have my priorities firmly in order. ;-)

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Niki May 7, 2008 at 7:56 am

You are hysterical!
I’ve never tried putting on my makeup in the car before. :)

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Runningamuck May 7, 2008 at 9:22 am

I always love it when I spend 30 minutes loading up the kids, hop in, start to back up and then catch a glimpse of myself in the rearview mirror. And then running back inside the house to grab some make-up because the face that stared back at me in the mirror was waaayyy more naturAL then I intended to be!

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The Apron Queen May 7, 2008 at 9:59 am

Are you saying that my current attire ~ flip flops & sweatpants ~ is unacceptable? Frumpy? I do have a pretty apron on. Does that make it any better? Please forgive my frumpiness. I’ll try to come by more often for your little tidbits.
For your daily dose of vintage goodness a bit of silliness, stop by Confessions of an Apron Queen, the home of Vintage Thingies Thursdays.

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Katiebod (Roses are Red, Violets are Violet) May 7, 2008 at 3:54 pm

I used to put on make-up as I drove until I heard a trucker over a CB one time comment “hey good buddies, we got a make-up artist comin’ up on the right.” That was a little freaky and ended my career of doing masacra at 70mph–which I’m sure is better for the public as a whole! :-)

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Lisa May 7, 2008 at 5:46 pm

Love your blog ~ Love the links on this imensely important topic! No, I’m serious! It is important! I’m obsessing being frumpy these days, and this is all so helpful! I have emergency make-up stashes, too, but have to watch out my toddlers don’t find them. It’s a rotten thing, fighting wrinkles and toddlers at the same time!

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Joanna May 8, 2008 at 12:29 am

I need to work on wearing makeup more often. It always makes me feel so much better. We went out as a family on sat night and I made sure I looked extra nice for DH, did my hair and makeup and I looked HAWT!!! I should do that more often.
I also do put on make up at red lights, when I am wearing it. Try doing it with mascara…ack!

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Melinda May 21, 2008 at 5:28 pm

This post really inspired me. Today my hubby took the toddler to work with him for a bit and I had time to take a leisurely shower/shampoo etc and felt great. Then I looked in the mirror and thought, Lordy girl put on some makeup!!

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