You see celebrities and bloggers all over social media looking stunning in their post baby delivery photos, so I thought….why can’t I? And why don’t I write a blog to share my tips and discoveries…if I feel most like myself and beautiful with a touch of sparkle, why not glam up on the most important day of my life for a photo I will want to treasure forever.
I spent hours watching videos, reading blogs, and trying out long wearing sweat-proof makeup. I packed a full bag of makeup – including primers, foundation, concealer, eyeshadow palette, eye liner, mascara, brush, bronzer, highlighter, lipstick and setting spray.
A week or two before my due date, I was suggested to start the delivery process early and got a supervised induction (my terminology). I was told that, depending on the person, the whole process, including delivery, would likely take 24-48hrs. So before driving to the hospital, I did my makeup and hair with all my makeup finds and headed to the hospital.
After the first 24hrs, there was no baby and I had only started early labour, so I decided to take a shower, freshen up, and reapplied my full face of makeup again (cause let’s be honest, no makeup is going to last and look lovely past 24hrs), threw on my purple sparkly wedding robe, and headband with a bow in my hair.
I was ready to have this baby and look good doing it!
Well…you know how they say “man plans and god laughs”…baby arrived 72hrs after I arrived at the hospital, via c-section, and from hour 25-72, between the pain, medication, and exhaustion…I had totally forgotten about the makeup. I just wanted that baby out of me….so that makeup from the 24hr mark was still on my face when baby arrived….and by “still on my face” I mean my eyeliner was smudged and crumbly, my mascara was running down my face, my skin was patchy and my hair was in the messiest loose side bun.
So, what is my advice after all that?
Leave the makeup at home! In my post delivery photos, I was a mess…and to be honest, at the time, I didn’t realize it or care cause I was so tired and excited to meet my little one.
When you are in a situation where you don’t know what’s coming at you….put the makeup bag down, because your beautiful natural face is your best bet! When you see other’s perfectly glammed photos – remember that you don’t know if they…
- had a planned c-section (no labour involved)
- had a makeup team onsite
- have exceptional photoshop skills
That “flawess” picture is probably that way for a reason 😉
One could argue, “you could put on makeup the next day to get the shot”. Yes you could – but I’m telling you, after the pain and excitement of delivering a child with the combination of exhaustion from being up all night feeding….glowing makeup will not be a priority. AND if you are like me and had a last minute c-section, you won’t be able to shower for a couple days after.
Am I upset about it now? Naaahhh….a little disappointed to discover I have no print worthy photos when I got home, but I’ll get over it. I’ve made up for it since with lots of photos with me and my son (with and without wearing makeup).
What’s your beauty birth story? Did you attempt to add a touch of glam? How did it go?