1. Skip the shower- Dry shampoo is your best friend
Waking up extra early to take a shower is unappealing to many people. This becomes even more of a hassle when you have long hair that needs to be dried and styled. One of the best tricks to get away with skipping that morning shower is to use dry shampoo! For the days that you just don’t feel like shampooing and conditioning your hair, grab a bottle of dry shampoo (my favorites are Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo and Amika Perf Up Dry Shampoo) and your hair will be revitalized in just seconds. Also, it has been proven that actually not shampooing your hair every day actually makes it healthier!
2. Brightening eyeliner
This may be unfamiliar to numerous people, but one of the best-kept secrets I have found that helps me look more awake is in thanks to my brightening eyeliner. A brightening eyeliner is one that is in a lighter shade, making the whites of your eyes pop thus brightening the overall appearance of eyes. My go-to is the Arrow Enhance Waterproof Eyeliner + Brightener. The great thing about a brightening eyeliner is that with just one swipe across the waterline of your eyes, you instantly look wide awake and ready for the day.
3. Powder Foundation
Having naturally radiant skin is hard to come by. Even with a strict skincare regimen, many women still have uneven skin tones and prefer to cover up with a foundation. I have found that using a full coverage powder foundation saves an enormous amount of time when compared to liquid foundation. Also, powder foundations are typically better for your skin as your skin can still breathe through the makeup. Powder foundations are better options for women with oily or acne-prone skin as well. My favorite is Benefit Cosmetics “Hello Flawless” Powder Foundation!
4. Lay out your clothes the night before (even if it’s just your scrubs)
This is such an easy way to cut down time on your morning routine. By setting out your clothes for the next day, you can be better prepared for the day ahead. By avoiding the search through your closet, you can save several minutes. That extra time could be used to eat a better breakfast, read up on the news, or even catch a few extra Zzz’s.
5. Pack your lunch ahead of time
Meal prepping is extremely common now, especially for busy families and individuals. Having a lunch packed and ready to go will save you a lot of time in the mornings. By having your lunch pre-made, you won’t have to worry about doing it the morning of, while the sun is still rising. This saves you stress, time, and will allow you to prepare an even better meal to keep your day going strong! Allowing yourself to prepare lunches the night before, or for the entire week ahead, you will be able to focus your attention on other tasks and responsibilities.
6. Start your coffee right as you wake up
If you still have a traditional coffee pot, have your pot ready to go for the morning. Some coffee makers have timers on them, so your coffee can automatically start brewing at the set time. If not, start the pot as soon as you wake up. This way, once you’re done getting ready for the day, your coffee will be ready to drink with breakfast to help wake you up for the day.
7. Meal prep your breakfast! (or grab a breakfast bar)
You’ve heard of meal prepping for lunches… Now get ready for meal prepping breakfast. Having a full breakfast on workdays is nearly impossible, especially when you have kids. But, we all know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day to get your mind and metabolism going. To solve this problem, try preparing breakfast sandwiches ahead of time and keeping them in the freezer. Whenever you are ready to eat one, take it out of the freezer, pop it in the microwave and you have your breakfast in just a few minutes! Or, you can always grab a breakfast bar if all else fails.
10. Listen to your favorite music as you get ready- it will help you move faster and get you in a mood for your day!
This last tip is to make sure that every day is the best day. Listen to your favorite music while you’re getting ready for work, or on your commute to work! This gets your heart rate up and wakes up your brain, so when you arrive at your workplace, you can be ready to tackle anything that comes your way.