Mothers Day Spl: Mommy Blogger And CEO Of AA Living, Rohina Anand Khira Reveals A Busy Mom’s Beauty Routine

• How pregnancy changed my skin and hair
• The pre-pregnancy beauty indulges I miss
• My skincare routine
• My quick and fuss-free beauty look
• New mom beauty mistakes I learned the hard way
• My go-to DIY skincare hack
• The best advice I got about skincare
• My diet and exercise routine for great skin
• My tips for mom-on-the-go

How pregnancy changed my skin and hair

For me, all the pregnancy cliches of glowing skin and luscious hair came to life. I was fortunate enough to suffer minimal postpartum hair loss; all those prenatal vitamins in fact improved the quality of my hair. Even after pregnancy, I did not suffer too many skin and hair issues and had pretty decent skin. Having said that, I would say that I wasn’t immune to the effects of hormonal changes in my body. First with pregnancy, then giving birth and breastfeeding, I did notice my skin and hair go through some transitions. But I think they are a part and parcel of your beauty journey, so it’s better to just ride the wave!

The pre-pregnancy beauty indulges I miss

Now that I am a busy mom, long salon and spa appointments are limited to a few times a year. Earlier, I used to love getting deep tissue and aromatherapy massages and hair spas. Since I have colour treated hair, I would make sure to squeeze in hair appointments three times a month to keep my tresses soft and manageable. Nowadays, I do indulge in some post-waxing body care from time to time. I consider waxing as exfoliation as well, so that is a time-saving hack I rely on.

My skincare routine

Night-time is the only part of my day where I get to carry out a proper skincare routine. I begin by splashing my face with warm water. I use micellar water to remove the makeup, dirt and grime from my face, then ice it for about two minutes. I end my skincare routine with a night serum and moisturiser! If my skin is feeling particularly dry, I replace the serum with a sleeping mask instead.

My quick and fuss-free beauty look

I am a fan of the no-makeup makeup look. I try and keep my skin looking as natural as possible while doing makeup, which is why I usually go for that dewy-rosy look.

I start off by prepping my skin with moisturiser and follow it up with a concealer. I don’t use foundation unless I am shooting; I like my skin to breathe. If there is a need for extra coverage near my mouth, I would go over with a concealer for spot correction. For my eyes, I use a kohl pencil that can be subtly smudged along my upper lashline. A water-based lip and cheek tint complete my look. I like to add a liquid highlighter on my cheekbones for special occasions.

My favourite makeup item is a nude pink lipstick, versions of which I have in my makeup bag and purse. I wear one even if I’m just heading out for groceries!

New mom beauty mistakes I learned the hard way

Some of the beauty mistakes that new moms tend to make have to do with panic buying. They try to attend to their skin and hair changes during the transition period. You have to understand that these skin and hair issues are hormonal in nature and will subside when your body regulates the imbalance on its own.

I experienced some dark patches on my tummy and discolouration on my face. I managed them by sticking to home remedies, keeping my insides healthy and happy and eating well.

New mothers should be careful of harsh and wrong products that make tall claims because in reality, creams can’t really help you with hormonal skin issues.

My go-to DIY skincare hack

I am a big fan of ice cubes for my skin in their many shapes and forms. Going over your face with ice cubes instantly brightens your complexion and helps tighten pores. I switch things up by freezing potato juice for lightening scars, tomato juice for dark patches or just add a dash of lime to the water.

I love to use an oats mask for when my skin is feeling irritable some days. I also love indulging in the popular banana-honey mask that instantly conditions your skin and gives it a smooth feel.

I would recommend women with oily skin to be careful with DIY recipes for their skin. Over-nourishing your skin can lead to increased oiliness and clogged pores. As for women with normal to dry skin, fruit peels can work wonders as at-home beauty solutions.

The best advice I got about skincare

The best skincare advice I ever got was from my mother who always told me “less is more”. I don’t do any elaborate skincare routines and instead, focus on two to three hero products. Sticking to my kitchen ingredients for added TLC has always been my old school way of dealing with my skin. I love ingredients like rosewater and sandalwood, both of which have been a staple since my childhood.

My diet and exercise routine for great skin

I believe that the body has a way of throwing out toxins through your skin and hair. What you eat can show directly on your skin, which is why I’m careful about what I put in my body.

I try to stay away from sugar-rich foods or junk foods; except for the occasional cheat meals and guilty pleasures. I eat a little bit of everything on the food pyramid - veggies, fruits, grains, protein, nuts and seeds - for that balanced diet, so I don’t need to take the lazy route of supplements.

As for exercise, my reasons for doing it are more than just beauty. Sweating it out opens up your pores, which can be detoxifying for your body. I love how working out gives me confidence, makes me feel great and releases all those joyful endorphins.

My tips for mom-on-the-go

My one tip for moms-to-be would be to invest in some mini versions of their skincare essentials. Stick to basics like a small tub of moisturiser, a concealer, a lip and cheek tint, etc. Throughout your day, you can touch up your face with a concealer and add a pop of colour with your lip and cheek tint. Keep oil blotting papers handy to remove greasiness on extra hot days!