1. Multi-Task your makeup: I love makeup- I think that I buy more of it than I do clothes. When purchasing makeup I look for products that have more than one function. For instance, one of my favorite products is a berry colored cheek stain from Tarte, which can also be used as a lip stain. MAC cosmetics also have a cream color base, which I use both on my eyelids and lips. It's so easy- you're just finger painting and there is no need for eye shadow brushes. This is my typical routine. I apply a tinted moisturizer with spf 15 from Trish Macevoy. This acts as my moisturizer, my sunscreen, and my foundation all in one, so I have brought three steps down to one. Second, I apply concealer. It is necessary for almost everyone, especially for those who aren't getting much sleep. My favorite product this week is my brown MAC cream color base so I apply it to my eyelids and lightly on my lips. I rarely use powder on my face, and if I do I avoid applying it to the eyes and concentrate just on the cheeks to create a smooth surface if I am using a powdered blush. You can save time in this area by using a cream blush, like the one I recommended above from Tarte. All I have left is mascara, and I usually keep my lip gloss in my purse to apply in the car if my lips feel too dry. This literally takes 5 minutes in the morning. It's so easy!
   
   
2. Keep your skin care in the shower: I keep one facial cleanser in my shower and one on my counter, as it is important to cleanse both in the evening and at night. Sometimes I take my showers at night, and sometimes during the day so this is helpful in saving time either way.  I know this is an easy option for me because I have an abundance of cleanser in my office, but might not be feasible for everyone. I exfoliate in the shower no matter what. Yes ladies, exfoliating is probably the most important step to healthy skin and, PREVENTING WRINKLES. Exfoliation is the shedding of dead skin cells. Normal skin exfoliates itself every few days, but most skin types need a little help. Exfoliating promotes collagen and elastin production, allows your living skin tissue to absorb moisturizer, and minimizes pore size.  Exfoliate three times a week for best results. How do you have time? Apply an exfoliant to your skin as soon as you get in your shower. I feel that enzyme exfoliants work best and do all the work for you. Leave on while you wash your hair, shave your legs, meditate, until your finished doing whatever you do in the shower. Don't forget to moisturize, and if you find some extra time apply a mud masque for oily skin or a gel masque for dry skin three times a week and leave on for 15 minutes.
   
   
3. Drink your water: I hate the lack of taste in water. I hate taking vitamins in the morning. I don't have time to work out every day but I want to lose weight. But I can't get around the fact that water makes my skin looks great! How does it work? We encounter quite a bit of toxicity through the day, whether it be through our environment, hormones, etc. Anything that our bodies can't process needs to be eliminated. We need to drink water in order to help our livers eliminate all of these toxins, and because the liver is a sister organ to the skin it effects the way it looks. One of my favorite products is by Pure Inventions. It is Green Tea with concentrated Polyphenols that you add to your water. It comes in several different flavors in a dropper bottle and you add about 30 drops to your water. This product motivates me to drink water by making it taste great. Also, the Polyphenols in Green Tea are anti-oxidants so that takes the place of my Vitamins A, C and E. Green Tea is also known for helping you lose weight.
   
   
4. Turn off that radio and meditate: Stress is a major factor in the process of aging, but it is difficult for us as busy moms to find time to relax. One of the only opportunities I have for solitude is in my car. After bringing my son to school I try and turn off the radio and pray or meditate. If you can't find peace and quiet in your car then try the shower when you are giving yourself a facial.
   
   
5. Don't be afraid to ask for help: When I first got married I expected my husband to "know what I needed before I asked" He's not God, and it was not reasonable for me to put that expectation on him. He's not a selfish person by any means, so his not helping around the house didn't have anything to do with selfishness or laziness, he just didn't know my needs. We began to communicate about how important it is for me to have time for myself and how I needed him to pitch in both around the house and with watching our son. Once I let go of the expectation I had of him to offer it life became much easier. I also have a great group of girlfriends who care about me and we are able to be interdependent on one another. Don't be afraid to ask your friends for help as well.

Estimated per person recipe:

¼ of 1 Avocado, mashed: moisturizing properties

2 TBS Fresh Pineapple Juice: contains enzymes which break down dead skin

1 TBS Honey: firming and tightening

Blend Avocado and Honey in Blender until chunky, and add enough pineapple juice to make it smooth enough to apply to the skin. Apply over skin with a fan brush and leave on 10 minutes. May be tingly or itchy.