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Makeup Recommendations for Date Night as a Busy Mom over 30
30
items Date Night does not happen often around here — so when it does, I GO ALL OUT.
I’m talking the full everything-shower (when my body cooperates), makeup to the nines, and my nicest perfume. Husband-and-wife alone time is a big deal to me, and I treat it like it is. Below you’ll find my ride-or-die shower products, my go-to makeu...
Important note: I’m not saying any of these are “clean” or anti-inflammatory. These are products I’ve owned for years. I’m currently diving into what “cleaner beauty” actually looks like for me as a cosmetologist who also lives with chronic illness —...
I’m talking the full everything-shower (when my body cooperates), makeup to the nines, and my nicest perfume. Husband-and-wife alone time is a big deal to me, and I treat it like it is. Below you’ll find my ride-or-die shower products, my go-to makeu...
Important note: I’m not saying any of these are “clean” or anti-inflammatory. These are products I’ve owned for years. I’m currently diving into what “cleaner beauty” actually looks like for me as a cosmetologist who also lives with chronic illness —...
Sections
3
The Shower Before
The Face
The Fragrance
The Shower Before
Sometimes I take a princess shower and use all of these products, or sometimes I take a PTA (pits, t*ts, a**) shower. Depends on how much time I have to take care of myself before someone needs me
I use this before exfoliating to break down any lotions or oils that I had on my skin that would prevent the exfoliating glove from working.
Tea Tree Body Bar - Paul Mitchell | Ulta Beauty
I used to get razor bumps and ingrown hairs on my legs before using these. I love using them on my legs, butt, and back of my arms. It makes a huge difference for me!
Plum Bum Korean Body Exfoliating Glove - TONYMOLY | Ulta Beauty
I feel like this is the never ending bottle of body wash. I use one pump on my african net sponge and I've been using it for months and it's still going!
Salt Water Vanilla Body Wash - Saltair | Ulta Beauty
This used to be my favorite body scrup until I had a daughter old enough to steal it from my shower. She knows the good stuff, and has declared that this is her favorite. Same, girl. Same.
Bum Bum Body Scrub with Exfoliating Crushed Cupuaçu Seeds - Sol de Janeiro | Ulta Beauty
This is so easy to find at any store that I go to, and vanilla usually layers with any perfumes I'm wearing.
18 oz Vanilla Shea Sugar Scrub - Tree Hut | Ulta Beauty
I've tried others, but I come back to this over and over. My son smells it on my arms and asks why I smell like vanilla cookies (He's 5)
8.1 oz Brazilian Bum Bum Visibly Firming Refillable Body Cream with Caffeine-Rich Guaraná - Sol de Janeiro | Ulta Beauty
I've been using this for YEARS and it's my ride or die. It helped me get through the itchy skin of pregnancy, and now I use it before I gua sha my face. The scent is light, and the oil is light as well. I can use this head to toe and I don't feel lik...
6.7 oz Skincare Oil for Scars and Stretch Marks - Bio-Oil | Ulta Beauty
As a cosmetologist, it's not very often that I use a product all the way through before trying something else. But I used every. last. drop.
I don't love the other scents, but the salt water vanilla?? Yessssss Maa'aam!
I don't love the other scents, but the salt water vanilla?? Yessssss Maa'aam!
Salt Water Vanilla Nourishing Body Oil - Saltair | Ulta Beauty
The Face
I spritz setting spray first, then tap this in with a beauty blender — it gives my skin that lit-from-within glow under makeup. It works as a hydrating primer and adds just a hint of sheen (not glittery). I have combo/dry skin and it layers beautiful...
Sunrise Glowscreen SPF 40 Sunscreen with Hyaluronic Acid + Niacinamide - Supergoop! | Ulta Beauty
My everyday base! It gives that soft, natural coverage that evens everything out without looking heavy. I can wear it for school drop-off and it builds up enough for date night. Lightweight, blends easily, and feels good on my combo/dry skin.
Fair-Light BB Blur Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen - Tarte | Ulta Beauty
I’m almost out and I’m genuinely upset about it. The color is that perfect soft everyday pink, the plumping is gentle (not stingy), and the gloss feels cushy — not sticky. Just a perfect throw-in-your-bag lippie.
Primrose Maracuja Juicy Lip Plumping Gloss - Tarte | Ulta Beauty
The first time I used this I panicked because it looked DARK. But it blends out like a dream — no harsh lines, no muddy patches. It just melts into my skin and gives that natural shadow/shape. I set mine with a light powder contour for extra staying ...
Cool Bronze Sculpt Tape Contour - Tarte | Ulta Beauty
Butter. Like buttah. It melts into the cheeks in the prettiest, healthy-skin way. One stick has lasted me over a year (and I reach for it constantly). I’ll definitely be stalking a sale when I need a replacement. Gorgeous, glowy, effortless.
Rose Quartz Sculpted Face Stick Blush - Ogee | Ulta Beauty
I like to set my cream blush with a matching powder to help it last longer, and this shade is perfect for that. It blends easily and gives that soft, natural flush that doesn’t look chalky.
Tender Rose C3-4 True Match Super Blendable Blush - L'Oréal | Ulta Beauty
I grabbed the mini size and it’s lasted forever. I use this to set my cream contour so it stays put without getting muddy. It’s a classic for a reason — smooth, blendable, and not too warm.
Original Hoola Matte Powder Bronzer - Benefit Cosmetics | Ulta Beauty
I didn’t like Shape Tape at first… turns out I was using the wrong one. The radiant finish works so much better for my dry/combo skin. It brightens without creasing and has become my go-to under-eye concealer.
22N Light Neutral Shape Tape Radiant Concealer - Tarte | Ulta Beauty
I lightly dust this under my eyes to set my concealer — no intense baking required. It adds a subtle brightening effect that makes me look way more awake than I actually feel.
Brightening Pink Bake & Set Setting Powder - Morphe | Ulta Beauty
The spray is super fine — like an actual mist, not the “water gun to the face” situation. It’s not the longest-wear setting spray ever, but for date nights and everyday makeup, it’s perfect.
6.5 oz Continuous Setting Mist - Morphe | Ulta Beauty
I just really like Morphe brushes. They blend well, they’re cute, and they hold up. If I were doing makeup 40 hours a week I might have thoughts, but as a stay-at-home mom doing everyday glam — they’re great.
M104 Domed Foundation Brush - Morphe | Ulta Beauty
The perfect nude liner. I wear this under my Tarte gloss and it gives my lips just enough definition without looking overdone. My go-to everyday lip.
Wifey Signature Lip Pencil - Morphe | Ulta Beauty
I love a good eyeliner!! Trick I learned a few years ago, line the top lid with this and then go back over it with a black eyeshadow. It won't smudge or run into your creases (Use a tiny eyeshadow brush)
Retractable Waterproof Eyeliner - SEPHORA COLLECTION | Sephora
I'm not a big fan of going too crazy with the eyeshadow. I use a lot of neutrals, and can make different looks with less. I reach for matte colors mostly and use shimmer sparingly. My eyeshadow usage is now about contouring my lid to look awake!
Ultimate Color Shadow Palette Warm Neutrals - NYX Professional Makeup | Ulta Beauty
This was gifted to me, and I hate to say it but…. I'm going to be buying it again when I run out. The creamiest powdered eyeshadow I've ever used in my life. I ONLY use it for special occassions and I hide it from my daughter!
649 5 Couleurs Couture Eyeshadow Palette - Dior | Ulta Beauty
It's a classic for a reason!!!! That's all I'm saying. And I'm saying it's my favorite neutral pallette.
Naked2 Basics Matte Neutral Eyeshadow Palette - Urban Decay Cosmetics | Ulta Beauty
I started using cream eyeshadow sticks a few years ago, and love how easy they are to throw on and go! If I'm doing a date night look, I will use cream shadow first as my primer and then go over it with my powdered shadows.
Stay Neutral Cream Eye Shadow Stick - ULTA Beauty Collection | Ulta Beauty
The Fragrance
I remember when this came out it was $85 and I about died when someone gifted it to me. Now, it's available at Walmart!
Touch of Pink by Lacoste - Eau De Toilette Spray 3 oz
I have the teeny tiny bottle, but I dab this on like it's made of gold! This is definitely a more “grown up” fragrance for me, and not one I wear often. (It feels too fancy for the soccer field)
3.3 oz Burberry Goddess Eau de Parfum - Burberry | Ulta Beauty
Bought this on a whim one time because I saw a TikTok video, and let me tell you… I have been chased down in parking lots, stopped in waiting rooms, and flagged down at stores so that people can ask what perfume I'm wearing! I get tons of compliments...
Lattafa Yara Vanilla Gourmand Floral EDP 100ml
I haven't tried this one, but it's on my list to buy next. I think my favorite fragances fall in the gourmand ambery vanilla family. I'm hoping this one is a win as well.
Dossier Ambery Vanilla 1.7Oz Eau de Parfum
There was a 90's perfume called “Vanilla Fields” and I've been trying to find something similar to it for years. I would say that this is getting the closest to it that I can find (so far). But when I do find it, the world will hear about!!! (Also, i...
Lattafa Eclaire Vanilla Caramel Floral EDP 100ml