How I Look Put Together Without Actually Getting Ready

My days don’t really have a “getting ready” window. They’re more like: wake up → work from home → school drop-off → yoga studio → run errands → play with my kids → school pickup → make dinner, kids activities, or whatever the rest of the day brings.

And honestly, I’ve stopped trying to completely get ready for each part of my day. Instead, I’ve found a few things that make me feel put together without actually having to get ready.

These are the low maintenance routines and hacks that I rely on to look and feel like I made an effort, even when I absolutely did not.

1. Everyday Gold Jewelry

I love jewelry that I can put on once and forget about. I’ve been wearing these gold necklaces from Aurate everywhere. What I love most is that they’re designed for everyday wear, so I don’t have to constantly think about taking them off or putting them back on. They don’t tarnish, so I can keep them on and still go about my normal life, workout and shower included. For me, that’s the definition of good everyday jewelry: put it on and forget about it. I stack the paperclip chain with the herringbone.

2. The 14K Gold Hoops That Never Come Out

Same idea with my earrings. I pretty much always have my 14K gold hoops from Quince in. They’re simple enough for a workout and everyday mom life but instantly make me feel a little more pulled together. Even if I’m wearing a matching workout set and sneakers, adding gold jewelry makes the whole outfit feel more intentional. And because they stay in, I don’t have to remember to put them on before leaving the house or take them off before a workout or shower. I love how Quince has great prices for luxury on a budget.

3. Matching Workout Sets

A matching workout set is probably the easiest style hack in my closet.

There’s something about a matching set that makes an outfit look intentional, even when getting dressed took about 30 seconds and zero brain power. These are great budget ones from CRZ yoga that feel high end. I love the square neck top.

4. Shoes I Can Literally Walk Out the Door In

Being able to just slip my shoes on and walk out the door is a small thing, but when you have kids, small things matter. I love Kiziks because I can just step into them and have a fully laced, secure sneaker that I walked into on my way out the door with a baby on my hip and bags/waters in hand.

5. Tinted SPF Instead of Makeup

Most days, I don’t want a full face of makeup. I just want my skin to look a little more even and awake. My go-to is a tinted SPF. It gives me a little coverage while keeping my routine incredibly simple. I can put it on in a couple of seconds and feel ready to leave the house without actually doing a full makeup routine and take care of my skin at the same time.

6. I Do My Hair the Night Before

Instead of trying to do my hair in the morning, I use my blow-dry brush the night before when I get out of the shower. That way when I wake up, my hair is already mostly done. I can just brush through it or throw it up in a ponytail, depending where I'm going. It gives fresh blow out when really all I did was blow dry my hair after showering.

7. A Little Self-Tan Once a Week

Being tan gives me an instant confidence boost, but I am really trying to take care of my skin as I get older. Because of that, I love using a self tanning mousse or lotion occasionally to maintain a glow. It really helps when I don't have time to always wear makeup and live in workout clothes. I have used the tanning lotion by Coco and Eve, which is nice to maintain and low maintenance because you don't have to wash it off. I also use the mousse when I want a more noticeable tan. I started using this brand as a postpartum pick me up since it is breastfeeding safe, which is another perk.

8. Teeth Whitening That Makes Everything Feel Brighter

Much like the tanning lotion, teeth whitening is a great low maintenance routine that helps me feel put together without a ton of makeup. It’s quick, easy, and something I can do while I’m doing everything else in my life. I love this non-toxic brand, Lumineux, because it is super gentle on my teeth. This pen is also great because you can put it on before you leave the house without having to rinse, which is great for busy mom life.

The goal isn’t actually to get ready

I think I’ve finally realized that feeling put together doesn’t have to mean spending an hour getting ready. For me, it’s about having a few things in place that make the rest of the day easier. Gold jewelry that stays on. A matching set that looks like an outfit. Shoes I can walk right into. Tinted SPF instead of a full face. Hair I did the night before. A little self-tan once a week and teeth whitening once or twice a week. That’s pretty much my formula.

Because most days, I’m going from school drop off to the yoga studio, from the grocery store to playing with my kids, to all their activities and everywhere in between. The less I have to think about during the day, the better, and this really helps me to focus on our systems and routines with confidence.

Let me know if you have any other game changing low effort, high reward, functional routines that you use to feel put together on the day to day. I love hearing new ideas that make busy mom life easier!

With love and gratitude,

Hayley