Stashed Kim If the Baby Allows

 Every wondered just exactly how other bloggers and social media influencers, go about their daily routine and what they get up to in the comfort of their own bathrooms? Well ponder no more, here is the first of hopefully many beauty stashes uncovered...

"Hi! I’m Kim (www.ifthebabyallows.blogspot.co.uk), I am a married, stay at home mum with two children: a nearly three year old girl and a boy who is 15 months. Yes, it can be a handful but I still manage to find time to sit down and blog - I love it and it has became my main interest outside of everyday mum life.

I think my love for all things beauty stemmed from one of my biggest enablers - my mum, we are just as bad as each other in that regard. We used to spend hours in Boots (the UK equivalent of a drugstore), looking at all the new beauty products that promised fantastic skin - neither of us are blessed in that department - and to this day we still try to make it a regular habit.

I remember as a teenager we went to London, strolled into Harrods thinking we were going to snag a sample of Crème de la Mer Moisturising Cream - at peak hype none the less - only to discover the pot to find it empty. The assistant told us they couldn't as much as give us a sample to try on our hand, as it was so coveted. We still laugh about it now when trailing skincare; the ridiculousness of the whole situation.

Stashed Kim If the Baby Allows

It was also that very day that my mum bought me my first premium makeup items: two eyeshadows from Lancome, which I thought was the bees knees. Unfortunately I do not have those eyeshadows anymore, with the power of hindsight they are probably shades I wouldn’t use now anyway - hello 90’s makeup! Although having said that there are some 90’s application methods that I will never stop using; I like a jet black Rimmel Kohl Pencil on my water line – yes I am that person and I think it is something I will probably do forever. If that doesn't bring the 90's make-up memories screaming back - white eyeshadow, blue mascara, Rimmel Heather Shimmer Lipstick - I don't know what will. If you don't recall such cosmetic travesties, well it’s probably for the best.

Stashed Kim If the Baby Allows

I like to keep my morning beauty routine simple: it really is a case of get clean, get presentable and most importantly, get it done. I have a basic makeup routine for everyday life and it consists of: foundation (Revlon Colourstay Foundation), a little concealer (Collection Lasting Perfection), mascara (Tarte Tarteist Mascara), blusher (normally one from my MAC palette), and a little fill/tidy of my eyebrows and that’s it. Once the weekend rolls around however, I like to glam up more, I am not fully conversed in the realms of contouring but I like to try new looks with eyeshadow palettes: one of my favourites at the moment is the Victoria Beckham palette from Estee Lauder (currently discontinued but a new V.B collection is on the horizon) - pricey but entirely worth the splurge in my opinion. Another way I like to spruce myself up is with a bold lip; isn't it funny that one quick step can totally transform your look, and give you the power to tackle whatever lies ahead? If I had to whittle it down to the best of the best: llamasqua, MAC and Tom Ford are the brands I find myself forever reaching for.

Stashed Kim If the Baby Allows

For my evening routine, I have slightly more time on my hands to pamper myself. This is when I take time to double cleanse, pop on a mask, exfoliate and really go to town. I am a huge Lush fan, I enjoy the ritual of dropping a bathbomb into the tub, savouring the delicate fizzing sound and completely relaxing with my face mask on - my current must have is the L’Oreal Pure Clay Detox Mask, but I’ve recently placed a Sephora order and can’t wait to finally lay my hands on some more Glamglow skincare.

What’s my holy grail product? I was trying to think of something super special to tantalise you, but the reality is that my go-to product is one that actually is pretty boring and basic - Mitchum Deodorant. It really is the only one that works for me and it never as much as crosses my mind to look for another: it works and it’s here to stay.
My flat hair is my nemesis; if I had a makeup challenge I think I could nail it, well I'd give it a good shot in the very least but with hair, I struggle. My hair is fine, flat, oily and straight, teasing volume into it can be tricky and since I have had kids, post- partum hair loss has exasperated that. At the moment, I wash and condition my hair daily, blow-dry with mousse and a root boosting spray - head upside down, the whole nine yard, finishing with a large brush. My hair routine is something I am working on completely nailing, so watch this space my fellow lank haired friends.

If my hair is failing me, then at least I can slick on some nail varnish and spritz on some perfume to feel a bit more glamourous. I go through phases of having false nails applied then I'm all about the natural approach but nothing beats the staying power of nail varnish applied over acrylics- sorry! I tend to go for the colour I like rather than the brand/price - I find a great top coat is all you really need from a quality stance. At the moment I am using Essie GelCouture Top Coat, but I feel the need to finally sample Seche Vite Fast Dry Top Coat - it's all anyone with a nail polish habit ever talks about isn't it?

Stashed Kim If the Baby Allows

As for perfume, well I like to splurge; if I can’t smell it on myself what’s the point? Typically I find I can only smell higher end scents on me (not always but in general) such as Coco Chanel Mademoiselle Eau de Parfum and Miss Dior Eau de Parfum (my treasured wedding perfume) although I do tend to be a be a little reserved with both. I like to save them for the more important moments in life. For an everyday scent I like Next Just Pink which I think is a great lower budget find, that I like to stock up on bath and bodyworks sprays (which my husband brings back from his travels overseas) for a just-got-out-the-shower spritz of freshness." - Kim, @ifthebabyallows.