How to Not Look Like Somebody's Mama (i.e. Look Younger)

I am not afraid of growing older; with age comes grace, patience and wisdom. However, I will admit to worrying about looking old. Specifically, I’m scared as hell of looking like somebody’s mama. Of course, having 2 kids means I *am* somebody’s mama, but I prefer to be mistaken for their pretty aunt or hot big sister. We’ve all seen those women (hopefully not in the mirror) who might as well have a big red letter M drawn across their chest. Even if no children are around, these tired, poor souls bear the telltale signs of Motherhood. This is precisely what we want to avoid! And it’s possible to do so in just a few minutes a day and you’ll still have money left to start your kids’ college fund.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• a commitment to yourself
• hair stylist
• local drugstore skin & beauty aisles
• nearby mall

1. If you’ve got a short, layered, flippy cut, for Pete’s sake, grow your hair out! I don’t mean you should go from Barbara Walters to Cher, but do try a stylish bob or shoulder-length layers and make the time to get regular professional haircuts. Simply pull hair back with a headband or into a ponytail when in Mommy-mode. And put some color on too while you’re at it. It’s a scientific fact that children cause premature grays … let’s keep it covered.
2. Invest a little time in a skin care regimen, and no, removing make-up with baby wipes doesn’t count, although very convenient in a pinch. Just throw an exfoliating cleanser in the shower and use it! Then apply a moisturizer with sunscreen when you get out. I like Olay products … this year Consumer Reports found Olay Regenerist to out-perform comparable more expensive department store products. Back to sunscreen … while many people still equate tan skin as the epitome of youth, skin the condition of a wadded-up brown paper bag is nothing but the opposite.
3. Whiten your teeth. Eyes are drawn to a pretty smile.
4. Paint your nails ... all 10 fingers and all 10 toes. Allure magazine reported that people guess women with painted nails to be younger in age than their non-painted counterparts. Of course nail painting can be tricky, especially with toddlers who are attracted to brightly-colored wet polish like flies to honey. If that's the case, try out Avon's Instant Manicure ... it's dried nail color that you apply like a sticker or window clingie and it adheres to the nail. All it takes is five minutes and there's no drying time.
5. This is probably the hardest step of all: Know what looks good on you, put together your uniform, and wear it any time you leave the house. Please, please, do try to avoid capris/cropped pants and boxy polo shirts. A no-brainer: good mid-rise, dark-wash, straight-leg jeans (no embellishments allowed!!!) and a fitted khaki jacket pretty much compliment any top. Add some kicky little flats, a trendy sneaker, or preferably a hot pair of heels, as heels ARE the antithesis of Mommy-dom.

Tips & Warnings

• While we do not want to look like somebody's mama, it is even worse to look like somebody's mama wearing their kids' makeup and clothes ... so ladies, be warned!