***This post is a review for the Garnier Pure Active 3 in 1 product. It is an entry for the #smartbeauty Challenge for Kidspot Voices 2014***
I don’t care what the relationship experts say. My most important responsibility as Mr Surfer’s wife is to always prove him wrong.
Every morning is stress city in our house. (I’m sure no different in any other). Ruthless negotiations to have at least a bite of toast, then wrestling with the twinions to get dressed for daycare, the last words I want to hear from my beloved husband is:
“You’ve got 15 minutes to get ready”
Blood goes straight to the temples. Nostrils flare. Horns start to grow.
I have a shower and get ready in a panic akin to a state emergency then leap into the car as he’s slowly pulling out of the driveway, threatening to leave without me.
Harmonious happy couple we are not.
Invited by Kidspot Voices of 2014 to participate in Garnier’s #smartbeauty Challenge, the chance to win another spouses’ battle was right there on a silver platter.
Hence, the following conversation:
Me: “I’m going to write about a 15 minute Hot Mama makeover challenge”
Mr S: Pffft
Me: “Er, excuse me?”
Mr S: “Really? Come on, lovely. You can barely get ready in 30 minutes…”
Right. Game on!
A heated discussion about how it takes time to make an effort in my appearance and if I hadn’t, especially on our first date, he wouldn’t have found me attractive then never married me and we wouldn’t be where we were today: sleep deprived and arguing in a lounge room infested with playdoh and Lego pieces while twin monkeys relentlessly climbed all over us.
It was going to be tough but I was determined.
Step 1:
Use a 3 minute egg time. Forgo shaving or shampooing. Brush teeth, wash face with Garnier’s Pure Active 3 in 1. Perfect for this challenge, it’s a facial cleanser, scrub and mask that can be used daily. With my shower time restricted, I was still able to clean the excess dirt and oil then work on the crucial T-zone to clear my pores with the pumice stone elements.
On the evenings when I can afford to have a longer shower, I can leave it on for 3 minutes to dry and use as a mask.
Lastly in the shower, lather up essential body bits: underarms and chacha. Done.
Step 2:
Slap on moisturizer on legs and arms, forget the rest.
Step 3:
Adapt the sneaky Jamie Oliver trick where he prepares ingredients and equipment for an hour to cook his so called 30 minute meals and step into already laid out clothes (Cheating but hey, totally allowed, right?)
Step 4:
Apply facial moisturizer and BB cream
Step 5:
Just one work over of powder! Wrinkles are endearing!
Step 6:
Use a dual purpose brow brush for eyebrows and eyes while using same eyeshadow colour suited for both brows and lids.
Step 7:
Get your eyelash curler and mascara on!
Step 8:
Quick brush of the hair and put up in messy (but edgy) pony tail.
Or use this “Hair Bun Buddy” that was the best Reject Shop find EVER!
Roll, snap and wrap!
With only 1 minute left, getting flustered caused me to lose my concentration and my socks. By the time I found them, it was time up!
Close, so close (minus shoes and red lipstick application).
Still pretty happy with both effort and result the comments from Mr Surfer though, were far from admirable.
“Well, now you can ‘almost’ get ready in 15 minutes after your first attempt, let’s see if practice can make perfect.”
Ouch.
“Put THAT in your blog post”
Gee, there’s no pleasing some people. Or proving them wrong.
Are you always time challenged when getting ready? Does it ever create domestic arguments with your partner? Why do people instinctively open their mouths when applying mascara or using the eyelash curler?
1. Follow With Some Grace.
2. Sign up to the awesome Digital Parents community ( if you haven’t already done so). DP was created by Brenda Gaddi who happens to be the creator of FYBF. She’s also created 4 gorgeous kidlets. In case you’d like to know. Or maybe not. But we’ll share that info just the same.
3. Add your post URL to the FYBF linky. Please only link up one post.
4. Grab the funky FYBF button and post it on your sidebar. Help spread the blogfloggin love.
5. Visit the blogs of your fellow FYBF’ers and share the comment love
Shelley@MoneyMummy says
Awesome work Grace!!! That is seriously impressive!!! I will try to follow your lead! No promises! 🙂
Shelley@MoneyMummy recently posted..Where To Get Financial Help For Free
Jody at Six Little Hearts says
I have been thinking on those hair bun donuts these past few weeks – how did you know?! Looking very special, though the jammies shot is too sweet!
Jody at Six Little Hearts recently posted..Tips For Flying With a Baby or Toddler
WifeSylv says
15 minutes with photos? Incredible!
Having a baby has made me much faster at the dressing challenge, but so has chopping off 3/4 of my hair. And not only do I choose my clothes before the shower, I get dressed in the bathroom now so as to avoid dawdling/being distracted by husband or child/opportunity to change. Efficiency is my game!
WifeSylv recently posted..Me, Jabba the Hutt and Robin Williams
Lydia C. Lee says
I’m impressed! And you look great. I take longer than that and I don’t even use half those things…
Lydia C. Lee recently posted..Can you make your dream reality?
Bec @ The Plumbette says
Aww Grace, what a great review! I get ready pretty quick these days now with a newborn and two other kidlets. I reviewed the same product and loved it! 🙂
Bec @ The Plumbette recently posted..A Time Saving Smart Beauty Solution for one’s Vanity
Lucy @ Bake Play Smile says
Oooh I love your 15 minute challenge!! You are one hot mama! Oh and yeah those bun helpers are the best thing ever. I love Garnier products too actually. 🙂
Lucy @ Bake Play Smile recently posted..Fabulous Foodie Fridays #14 – Carrot, Walnut & Chia Cake
Amanda @ Cooker and a Looker says
Ready in 15 minutes? That should be helpful at PBEvent! You’ll be there right?
Amanda @ Cooker and a Looker recently posted..five snagadelic sausage recipes
Pinky Poinker says
A great review and impressive routine Grace! I have a bun donut but I don’t know how to put it on. There’s no snap to it! I don’t use an eyelash curler so that would save me some extra seconds.
Pinky Poinker recently posted..What do you Call a Group of Bloggers?
Carolyn @ Champagne Cartel says
You scrub up well, of course, but I think you look hot in your jammies. 😉
Carolyn @ Champagne Cartel recently posted..Three minutes of human contact: Keeping Up with the Holsbys
Vicki @ Knocked Up and Abroad says
What a gorgeous face!! Nice work. I wish I could do my buns as neat as you. I’ve been glad the messy bun has been fashionable for a bit. Seems like i need to invest in one of those bun things… that’s the secret 😉
Vicki @ Knocked Up and Abroad recently posted..A Winter of Mothering
EssentiallyJess says
I love the garnier BB cream. That’s my everyday go to.
As for getting ready, boatman doesn’t complain, but I used to get into trouble for how long it took me to get ready for bed.
EssentiallyJess recently posted..How to BookMark Blogs on an iPhone
Bec @ Seeing the Lighter Side of Parenting says
Lol, well done! I have my shower at night these days, no time in the morning as we have to leave by 7am many days. I love Garnier. I’ve got their pump pack facial wash in the shower, it’s awesome.
Bec @ Seeing the Lighter Side of Parenting recently posted..15 small ways you’ve made the world a better place
Rachel says
Oooooh sexy mama! I really dig the red lippy on you Grace. I’m ALWAYS at war with Brook about my time in the bathroom. Like you I feel I do a pretty good job under pressure (I’m usually asked to do at least three other things by the boys while I’m in the middle if my make-up) but like Mr Surfer Brook had other ideas!!
PS. In case you hadn’t realised this is Rachel from The VI Blog here! I’m giving my new Brisbane blog “Our Town Brisbane” it’s first run on #FYBF
Twinkle in the Eye says
Lookin’ good lady!
Twinkle in the Eye recently posted..My birth story from my mother’s perspective
stephanie@stephsjoy says
Well done Grace! How long does it take Mr Surfer to get ready? I ‘d be betting he takes at least that much time to get ready !
stephanie@stephsjoy recently posted..Influence someone else
Ai Sakura says
You did very good!!! Looking so fab in such a short time… it’s always a mad rush at my place in the mornings too sigh.
Ohhh I have to learn more about that bun thingy… it’s so neat! Would be great to use for Lil Pumpkin’s long hair 😛
Ai Sakura recently posted..Bub & Me: Cavalia Singapore Horse Show @ Bayfront Avenue, Marina Bay
Lisa@RandomActsOfZen says
Look at you go!! I’m very impressed Grace x
Lisa@RandomActsOfZen recently posted..More Random Than Zen
Nikki@Wonderfully Women says
Awesome job, 15 minutes and you are good to go….lippie can be snuck on at anytime.
Nikki@Wonderfully Women recently posted..Healthy Hot Chippies
Mystery Case says
Super impressed. I’m getting good at perfecting my red carpet look in under 30 minutes due to the fact that I never seem to allow more time than this. Of course there is a lot of Jamie Oliver preparation the day before but I’m working on it.
Mystery Case recently posted..Mystery Case Style Challenge | The Perfect LBD | 52 Ways | Travel Style
Shannon @ Oh Creative Day says
I’m SO impressed that you even moisturised your legs and arms!
Pre-baby, I never could understand why my friends with kids were never on time. Now I have my own mini-human I am never, ever on time. I’m a fan of making my husband drive to events so that I can apply my make-up in the passenger seat. With my mouth open as I apply mascara/ eye liner/ eye shadow!
Emily @ Have A Laugh On Me says
I have to say I can get ready in 15 minutes but that’s only because I’m LAZY and always leave things to the last minute, especially in the mornings… I also don’t look as great as you! WELL PLAYED Mama G, see you soon gorgeous! x
Emily @ Have A Laugh On Me recently posted..Is it just me or has this week been shithouse?
Min@Minsmash says
You look gorgeous in both the before and after pics! Good job on getting ready in 15 minutes. I would struggle to do all that in 15 minutes! Love my Garnier BB cream! xo
Min@Minsmash recently posted..Poll: Help me decide on a photography business name – Part 2
Toni @ Finding Myself Young says
I really need to put more effort into my appearance. The fact that you can get ready in 15 minutes means I really should be able to fit it in, even with the toddler tornado whirling through the house. If we ever get a bathroom back I’ll be practising this for sure.
Toni @ Finding Myself Young recently posted..Backyard memories and Australian Outdoor Living
Sarah from Creating Contentment says
I’m impressed the the sheer amount of things you did in 15mins! I would of only brushed my hair and pulled clothes on. And, honestly, maybe not even brushed my hair!!
Sarah from Creating Contentment recently posted..Thankful Thursday
Lisa (@lybliss) says
I’m so impressed! I get in the shower and start daydreaming, I’m worse than my teenage girls for going over the shower time limit. Smart move laying out the clothes, that’s not cheating at all.
Lisa (@lybliss) recently posted..An everyday family tradition
Julie @ Off to the park says
Very impressive Grace!! There’s no way I could get ready with make-up on in 15 minutes. I usually take my lipstick, eyeshadow and mascara (my 3 essentials) in the car with me, if we are going out somewhere. And yes Hubby gives me the “you have 10 minutes, before I walk out that door” talk. All. The. Time!
Julie @ Off to the park recently posted..I won’t get this time again
Eva @ The Multitasking Mummy says
Wow, I’m super impressed! And I need one of those hair bun buddies now that my hair is long enough to do it!
Eva @ The Multitasking Mummy recently posted..Outdoor Play Ideas that are Fun and Safe!
Leanda Michelle says
Wow, you’re an inspiration. Isn’t it amazing what women can achieve when put under the pump! You’re truly gorgeous ♥
Leanda Michelle recently posted..First Year Anniversary
Lauren @ Create Bake Make says
I don’t think I could look that good if I had 45 minutes, let alone just 15!! Looking good 🙂
Denyse Whelan says
WOW. Go you. Incredible impressed. Mr S? pfft.
Denyse Whelan recently posted..Love This Quote.
Zita says
LOVE the before and after pics! Gorgeous!
I can totally get ready in 15 minutes if I have to!
Zita recently posted..for a Pinterest Outfit
Malinda @mybrownpaperpackages says
The mouth open clearly adds to the concentration – a bit like sticking your tongue out one side of your mouth. Works every time.
Malinda @mybrownpaperpackages recently posted..A Study in Contradictions
Winnie @ Bubfriendly says
You look amazing Grace!!!!! Hope you win the challenge!!!! 🙂 Love how you did those buns!!!! I could never do the perfect bun! Not sure about opening the mouth when applying mascara bit – I don’t think I do it personally. I guess it’s always hard being mom when you have to juggle getting yourself ready as well as the kids ready at the same time as opposed to dads who usually just need to get themselves ready!
Winnie @ Bubfriendly recently posted..{Review} Best Vacuum Ever! Dyson DC59 Animal!
Aroha @ Colours of Sunset says
I could so get ready in 15 minutes. But it wouldn’t include showering! And makeup would be so bare minimum! I reckon with practice you could nail this down to about 12 minutes. x
Aroha @ Colours of Sunset recently posted..Depression: Do You Have A Choice?
Tracy says
Absolutely impressed! go Grace! love your style
Tracy recently posted..Disgusting food choices – and why I’m lovin’ ‘em
Kylie Purtell says
I am often time challenged, but usually because I sleep until the absolute last minute! I tend to have a shower right before bed to help facilitate the sleeping to deadline but then I get lost when the girls have run off with the shirt I had hanging over the back of the chair in the backroom, ready to be thrown on just before we leave, meaning I have to go looking for it!
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Kathy says
That is impressive Grace. I’m usually a fast worker too but I am always running late. I think the big thing is if someone can keep the kids from interrupting you can power through – it’s amazing what you can do under pressure with a bit of peace. And my winter short-cut is long-hairy legs hidden in tights or under jeans!
Kathy recently posted..Funny/Sad same, same
Peachy Keen Mumma says
Love before and afters! And love the honesty!
Peachy Keen Mumma recently posted..John Safran vs My Baby