But after all that, figuring out what to wear, blow drying my hair, and don’t even get me started on all the moisturizing I’ve gotta do, I just feel like the whole getting-ready-for-the-day thing takes too long. So, I combined some of my best hair tricks and came up with this 5-minute hair routine.

This is my favorite signature style that takes just 5 minutes. No fuss, no hassle, and all with just a hair straightener!

Check out the hair products I can’t live without, even for this style!

So, around Day 3 hair (meaning: I haven’t washed my hair in 3 days), I start needing to get creative. Enter, the side braid. This style is trendy right now, and I’ve seen women of ALL ages sporting it!

What I love most about it is that it’s so versatile. You can wear it half up/half down for a date night, or go sporty and wear it in a ponytail.

Braiding is definitely a learned skill, so if you don’t know how to braid, I wouldn’t recommend trying this style as your first go. But braiding can be learned! You just have to practice, practice, practice!

Here’s how to style your hair into a “Princess Side Braid.”

This site contains affiliate links to products. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links, but I believe in the products just the same!

As a mom of two, I think I can speak for most moms when I say that washing my hair is a luxury, never mind giving myself an at-home blowout. But I’m telling you that blowdrying your hair is worth it. In fact, I believe that a good hair day starts with these things:

A good hair cut

The right products

A proper blowout

When most people hear the word “blowout,” they automatically think of an expensive trip to the salon, but other than when I get my hair cut and colored, I’ve never just gotten a ‘blowout;’ I’ve always done it at home, and you can too!

Best of all, my blowout can last for up to three days, which means I only wash my hair about twice per week!

TOOLS YOU NEED

I use a good, small-bristled round brush (also works great as a microphone for my best bathroom lip sync battles). I couldn’t tell you where I got this brush, but you can get them pretty much anywhere.

I’m currently using the Hot Shot Tools blow dryer. It does the trick, but I tend to like a more substantial, powerful dryer, so I’m in the market for a new one!

I ALWAYS use Moroccan oil and Phomolliant by Aveda before I start blow drying. I notice a BIG difference when I don’t use these products. It’s just not the same. You can find out more about how these products work and how to find what’s best for you, here.

HOW-TO

Watch this quick video for my step-by-step process for doing an at-home blowout, with very little styling needed afterward! In all, this blowout took me 7 minutes. It’s the foundation for at least two good hair days between washes!

At Home Blowout from Kristen Wheeler on Vimeo.

This site contains affiliate links to products. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links,but I believe in the products just the same!

Sometimes I get compliments on my hair. Most of the time, it’s because I’ve just washed it that day. No joke.

I mean, I’ve gotten into this [glorious] habit of washing my hair only about twice per week. SOMETIMES I’ll wash it three times, but only in an emergency, like a really sweaty workout or Justin Timberlake’s in town and I need to look 100% my best on the off chance I might run into him at Target (what! It could happen…)

Anyway, there are a few products I use on every wash-day, without fail, that I believe are the basis for every one of my good hair days:

MOROCCAN OIL

As soon as I get out of the shower, I towel dry my hair and then I put three pumps of this “liquid gold” in my wet hair, combing it all the way through.

This stuff is incredible. Moroccan oil is pure argan oil that moisturizes your hair and leaves it shiny and refreshed; not to mention it smells INCREDIBLE.

I use several Moroccan oil products, but I use this one without fail, every single time I wash my hair.

If you’re going to use this product, I wouldn’t suggest looking for a knock off or generic brand you find in the grocery store. I’ve tried those and they don’t work a fraction as well as Moroccan oil!

You can find it at your local hair stylist or on Amazon.

AVEDA’S PHOMOLLIENT

Phomollient is a light styling foam, sort of like mousse. I like it because it’s really light, it does a great job keeping my hair in place, and it doesn’t make my hair feel “heavy,” like regular mousse.

Just rub a little bit into wet hair (after the Moroccan oil) and then blow dry. It’s also been said that Phomollient helps reduce drying time, too!

You can purchase Phomollient anywhere Aveda products are sold. I also found it on Amazon here!

STRAIGHTENER

So, here’s the deal. I usually blow dry my hair, but even if I knew I wasn’t going to have a blow dryer, I’d keep this baby close by. A good straightener can push any hair into shape. I use the Hot Shot Tools one inch flat iron (I don’t like to call them flat irons because, I dunno…flat irons is the name of a mountain range here in Colorado, and it just gets weird and confusing). I couldn’t find my specific model online, but I know I purchased this at Sally Beauty Supply.

What I love about this straightener (okay, okay, FLAT IRON) is that it has adjustable heat. I usually look for my styling tools to reach 450 max. Depending on the look I’m going for, I set the temp on mine at either 400 or all the way up to 450, but I would definitely recommend lower temperatures if you have fine hair. And ALWAYS use a heat protectant!

Look for more hair tips and tutorials (especially with the FLAT IRON), coming soon!

I’ll be really honest: I’d be happy if my ‘everyday look’ was unwashed hair and no makeup at all.  Give me my baggy sweatpants, a t-shirt no bra, and I’m a happy girl.

But, I also love feeling confident. Confidence comes from within, from loving yourself, but a little mascara doesn’t hurt either. I love the feeling of knowing I look good. When I know that I look good, I carry myself a little taller, I’m a little more productive, and way less awkward and introvert-y.

I am by no means a beauty blogger, but I’ve picked up some great tips from all over the place and put them all together in my ‘everyday, 10 minute makeup routine.’ 

I use a mix of drugstore makeup and Younique products – a brand I’ve grown to love. If you’re interested in purchasing Younique products, I love my consultant, Lauren Getman (she’s not giving me anything to say that, either!) Click here to see all the products on her website.

Enjoy!

My Everyday Makeup Routine from Kristen Wheeler on Vimeo.

That’s where Rent the Runway came in for me.

What is it?

Choose your event

Choose your style

See what it looks like on REAL PEOPLE

Size Matters

Here’s how the process worked from start to finish:

Pro Tips

I HIGHLY recommend this service, and I cannot wait to use it again….so invite me to your special event.

Jennifer’s story is incredible.  When she lost over 160 pounds – yes you read that right: ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY pounds, she realized that it wasn’t enough to just look good on the outside, and ever since then she has been encouraging others through her story, her marriage and her family, that we need to love ourselves within, before we can truly love ourselves on the outside. 

Jennifer has been such an encouragement to me in so many ways, AND she is a stay-at-home-mom, the hardest job in the world, in my opinion.  So, I thought I would bring in one of the experts to talk about the surprises and myths that come with the “SAHM” life.

A pretty vivid picture decorated my mind as I sat in my office working 50 hours a week while my toddler attended preschool. One day when we could finally afford to make the switch, I’d come off my job and spend my days with my sweet little punkin. Mornings would then become slow, and would be filled with warm coffee, elaborate breakfasts as a family and cozy snuggles on the couch. Hours would be spent playing on the floor with princess figurines, and the house would stay clean since I’d have so much extra time on my hands. The aroma of freshly mopped floors and lavender-bathed baby circulated the imaginary canvas of nonstop creativity in my mind.

Then, I became a Stay-At-Home-Mom.

And yes. There’s an acronym for that: SAHM. Because imagine typing that out, every time someone asks you what you do.

Here I sit, watching my daughter flutter around the gymnastics class that offers me a one-hour escape once-a-week. I’m pondering the days of what I used to think my reality would be when I didn’t have to rush off to the office every day.

Let me tell you friend, it’s nothing like what I thought. Within days of switching into my new role of full-time-mommy, I realized that there would be quite a lot for me to adjust to. Little did I know it’d take a couple of years to get to the point of feeling adequate, and even enjoying this new life I had hoped for for so long.

Several myths come to mind as I think back on what I imagined this life would be. Today I’m listing them out, one-by-one, and dispelling them once and for all.

Without further ado, 8 MYTHS  ABOUT THE SAHM LIFE: DISPELLED

You’ll Have More Time

False. You’ll have the exact same amount of time you had before. Twenty-four hours, every single day. Only, the hours will be a little different, in that they won’t be chopped up by meetings, co-workers, and major deadlines. You’ll be in mommy-mode nearly all the time. No escaping, except for the occasional two-minute hideout in the closet when you just. need. quiet. No turning the switch off, even during nap times when you’ll feel the need to clean the house or catch up on texts you feel guilty for not getting to throughout the day.

The House Will Stay Clean

When I first came into the SAHM world, my house was picture-perfect. I cleaned all the time. But it didn’t take long to realize that I was spending more of my time trying to clean than I was actually being present with my daughter (who, by the way, had a constant stream of “come play with me, mommy” flowing from her lips).  I’d expect her to just play on her own and entertain herself so that I could clean the house. Then I’d look across the room and realize how much time I had just spent doing mindless cleaning while she played quietly with her princess figurines wishing for a play buddy. Finally I had to learn to embrace the mess, clean in bursts, and remind myself that one day my house will stay perfectly clean. Maybe I couldn’t spend my whole day playing, but I learned to be intentional about spending time connecting with her throughout the day.

Mornings Will Be Easy

Mornings are my favorite. From the instant I gain consciousness, my nostrils are begging for the scent of coffee. But slow, easy mornings were not a thing in our household. Instead, our toddler woke up in full-force, ready-to-slay-the-day mode from the minute her eyelids popped open. She didn’t just want to crawl into my arms and lay there planning what our day would be like – no way! She wanted me up and at ‘em, and she wasn’t backing down on that one no matter how hard I tried to get her to! So, mornings were early, and filled with conversation and endless questions, whether my coffee had made its way into my veins or not.

You’ll Play With Your Kids For Hours Every Day

When I worked full-time, I spent all day long missing my girl! I just wanted to be with her. Every night when we got home from the day’s work, I easily mustered up the energy to get on the floor and play with her no matter how tired I was, because I had spent all day waiting until we were all home once more, and could spend time together. I couldn’t wait to spend time playing baby dolls and having conversations with her. But just because you become a SAHM, life and responsibilities don’t stop. So while I thought I’d have all the time in the world to just play, all the day’s tasks began piling on top of each other and I soon felt like I was sinking. Eventually I had to learn balance. I had to learn the value of her playing on her own in small spurts and the value of us playing together. Once I did that, our days became more fulfilling and less stressful.

You’ll Be Less Tired

Working full-time was exhausting. Like, multiple cups of coffee per day. (I know, I mention coffee a lot. That’s #momlife no matter what kind of mama you are). I distinctly remember trying to keep my sand-paper eyes open as I gazed at my computer screen all day. Naturally, I thought that if I didn’t have to get up and go to work every day, I’d be less tired. But motherhood in any form has taught me the reality of exhaustion. And no mommy is exempt from it. Whether you’re sitting in meeting after meeting in a conference room, or you’re washing multiple sinks of dishes in the comfort of your own home, it’s tiring. Like REALLY tiring. Throw a second child into the picture and we’re talking hazy, half-conscious, barely-functional tired. Maybe it’s a different kind if tired, but I’m 3.5 years into being a Stay-At-Home-Mom and… I’m tired!

You’ll Have Lots of Time To Work From Home

I was a little naïve about this one. I just figured that since I’d have all this extra time (hah!) I’d have plenty of time to work a side hustle. I tried a couple of things. And it’s doable! Actually lots of mamas do it! But here’s the deal. The mamas who are working a job from home, on top of being a SAHM, are basically working two jobs. Just because they have a side hustle or a full-time job other than mommy’ing, doesn’t mean that the mommy’ing goes out the window. They still have to find time to actually be present, raise their children, keep their kids alive, and keep up with the day. Every day. It’s a real superpower. Eventually you find your stride, but it definitely takes some routine and intentionality!

People Will Admire Your Choice To Stay Home

When my first-born was a newborn, it seemed like everyone was constantly asking me that nagging, “so what do you do?” question. I’d answer by telling them my job outside the home, and they’d tilt their heads and say “awwww… You don’t get to stay home with your baby?” It made that inner struggle of not being able to stay home with her even harder! I figured that once I switched into being a SAHM the world would clap their hands at my accomplishment and all would be well. But I quickly found that the “wait, so you don’t have a job?”or “well what do you plan to do when they go to school?” questions took their place instead. That’s when I had to decide to be confident in my decision no matter who approved or didn’t approve. Because by that time I learned that basically, you’re darned if you do and you’re darned if you don’t. No matter which way you choose, someone is not going to approve. So I stopped feeling the need to validate my decision among others. And when I did that, I truly discovered a confidence in my choice as a mommy.

Every Day Will Feel Fulfilling

It just won’t. Not every day. Especially the early days, when your clothes are soaked in baby spit-up, and your coffee is cold, and you’re so tired you can’t see straight, and you haven’t showered in days, and your kiddo wants your undivided attention, and you haven’t worn make-up and normal clothes in forever, and the laundry is piling up, and your days are running together…

Some days you’ll wonder if you should go back to work. Some days you’ll wonder if you’re making a difference in the world. Some days you’ll cry. Some days you’ll feel inadequate. Some days you’ll feel lonely. Some days you’ll wonder how you’ll even make it through the day.

Every day is work. You’re accomplishing so many incredible tasks, EVERY SINGLE DAY! You may not get applause, or promotions, or medals, or honors, or bonuses. But you’re showing up. Every day. And what you’re doing matters, a lot. You’re going to have good days, bad days, mediocre days, sad days, joyful days, rollercoaster days, and of course, never-ending-tantrum days! But you, my dear, have been graced to do what you’re doing. No one can do it quite like you do. Your kids might not have the vocabulary to tell you now, but one day, they will. And all the seeds you have sown into loving and raising your children will raise a gorgeous garden of benefits. Then, my friend, you will find fulfillment like you’ve never known before, and every ounce of effort you made will be absolutely worth it.

As the days, weeks, months, and years go by, you’ll learn to embrace the season of life you’re in because you’ll realize, it’s just that! A season. You’ll be reminded a thousand times to cherish the moments, and you’ll do your best to do so. And as time goes on, fulfillment will peek its face through the clouds, and you’ll cry happy tears that you hung in there and gave mommy’ing everything you had.

You can find more from Jennifer, including one of my favorites: 10 positive body image statements, on her website at www.jenniferwagner.co. 

Being a mom is the biggest job a woman could have. It’s rewarding, exhausting, exhilirating, and intimidating all at once (at least for me). Throw a full time ‘outside the home’ job on top of that, and it seems like the mom guilt builds up, and everything is compounded by the fact that we’re stretched, pushed pulled in so many directions…and we’re tired. We don’t believe we’re enough. Worry about whether our kids are getting “enough” creeps in.

I’ve felt all of these things. And I want to bust a few myths about what it means to be a “Work Outside the Home Mom.”

5 MYTHS ABOUT BEING A WORK-OUTSIDE-THE-HOME MOM

WORKING MOMS CAN’T BE AS CLOSE TO THEIR KIDS

WORKING MOMS ARE SELFISH FOR HAVING A CAREER

THE KIDS WILL FEEL ISOLATED

THE KIDS WON’T UNDERSTAND WHY YOU HAVE TO BE ‘AWAY’

Honestly, my kids never understood me better than when I included them in what was happening at work.  One time I was late picking Abby up from after school care and I rushed in and told her, ‘I’m so sorry, I had someone quit and I had to finish a project by myself..’ her response was, ‘Oh! For that event coming up! Yes, let’s get back to the office so we can finish!’ I found that when I included my kids in what I was doing and trying to accomplish, they were much more understanding of when I had a late night, and often even offered to help.

WORKING MOMS HAVE IT ALL TOGETHER

You let me into your inbox every week – and if you don’t, I’d love it if you did – so it’s only fair that you know a little bit more about me. Think of it as one of those MySpace surveys everyone forced on you, only better.

28.  I’m a Broadway geek. My favorite shows include Wicked, Music Man, and Hamilton. I’m also a HUGE, HUGE fan of Lin-Manuel Miranda. Like, I don’t consider myself a creepy person but I would FOR SURE dig through that guy’s trash.