Mornings at my house are a mix of school run, snack negotiations, and “where are my shoes.” I do not have an hour for makeup or elaborate hair. What I do have is a simple routine that gets me out the door feeling pulled together in about 30 minutes, start to finish, with two kids in the mix. I’m sharing exactly what I do on a typical weekday, plus a few swaps for days that go sideways.
The night before makes the morning easy
Tiny prep that pays off
- I set a calm bedtime routine and sunrise alarm on the Hatch Restore 3 so wake-ups feel human instead of harsh.
- I run our robot vac after dinner and before bed so floors are not a morning chore.
- Lunch boxes are half-prepped in the fridge. Backpacks by the door.
None of this is fancy, but it saves 10 to 15 minutes the next morning.
6:30–6:40 AM: Wake, water, quick coffee
- I wake to the Restore 3 sunrise, drink a glass of water, and do a 30 second stretch.
- Coffee is fast. Most days I use a pod machine like the Nespresso VertuoPlus with the frother for a quick latte. On slower days I use a manual machine like the Breville Barista Express because it feels like a little ritual.
Kids wander out during this window, so I keep breakfast simple. Toast, yogurt, fruit. If I need a hot option, the Ninja SP300C does sheet-pan eggs or crispy hash browns in minutes.
6:40–6:48 AM: 8-minute skin and base
I keep skincare short so makeup goes on quickly and lasts.
- Cleanse lightly if needed, otherwise a splash of water.
- Hydrate with a simple moisturiser and SPF.
- Foundation: thin layer of Estée Lauder Re-Nutriv Ultra Radiance. It looks natural and evens things out without heavy coverage.
- Conceal under eyes and any redness.
- Set lightly through the T-zone so I do not get shiny by lunch.
Tip: I use RevitaLash at night a few times a week. In the morning I skip extra steps and go straight to mascara since the conditioner does its job behind the scenes.
6:48–6:56 AM: 8-minute eyes, brows, cheeks, lips
This is where the Urban Decay Naked eyeshadow palette makes life easy. I rotate a simple three-step look that works for workdays, school events, and the occasional date night.
My 3-step everyday eye (5 minutes)
- Sweep a soft taupe matte through the crease.
- Pat a champagne shimmer on the lid with a fingertip.
- Press a cool brown along the upper lash line for soft definition, then mascara.
Brows and cheeks (2 minutes)
- Quick brow gel to tidy.
- Neutral blush on the apples of my cheeks. If I have 10 extra seconds, a tiny bit of highlighter on the cheekbones.
Lips (1 minute)
- Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey or Pink Honey. Sheer, hydrating, and it looks good even when I am in the school parking lot finishing my makeup.
6:56–7:05 AM: 9-minute hair options
I pick one of these depending on how the morning is going.
- Quick blowout with Shark FlexStyle: Rough dry to 70 percent, then the oval brush for lift at the roots. Finish with a cool shot.
- Sleek and fast: Paddle brush attachment for a smooth, straight finish.
- Two-minute backup: Low bun with a center part and a little leave-in. Looks intentional, not rushed.
7:05–7:15 AM: Kids, bags, and out the door
- Kids get dressed and brush teeth while I pack snacks.
- I do a 60 second sweep: windows locked, dishwasher on, a quick spritz in the entry if needed.
- Shoes by the door, water bottles filled, we go.
On a good day, we are out by 7:15. On a wobbly day, this still works in 35 minutes.
Five minute face for real emergencies
When everything is chaos, I do only this:
- SPF, concealer where needed, powder through the center.
- Taupe crease, champagne lid, mascara.
- Cream blush that doubles as lip color.
- Hair in a low bun.
That is 5 minutes and still looks polished.
What I keep in the car
- Mini pack of wipes, hair ties, a spare lip balm, and a small hand cream.
- Extra kid socks and a snack pouch.
- A foldable tote for surprise school things.
Weekend reset that helps weekdays
- 20 minute sheet-pan prep for easy breakfasts and lunches.
- Quick vacuum pass to keep floors crumb-free.
- Wash makeup brushes while the kids paint or do stickers at the table.
Products that make this routine work
- Hatch Restore 3 for gentle wake and fewer phone grabs at night.
- Nespresso VertuoPlus or Breville Barista Express for coffee that fits the day.
- Ninja SP300C for quick hot breakfasts.
- Estée Lauder Re-Nutriv Ultra Radiance as a skin-friendly base.
- Urban Decay Naked eyeshadow palette for the 3-step eye.
- Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey or Pink Honey as an easy finish.
- RevitaLash a few nights a week.
- Shark FlexStyle for a fast blowout.
Use what you already own and swap in similar products. The goal is a routine you can repeat without thinking.
Reality checks that keep me sane
- I pick outfits the night before, shoes included.
- I aim for “polished enough” by 7:15, not perfection.
- I keep breakfast simple on school days. Big breakfasts are for weekends.
- I do not add steps unless I can keep them every day. Consistency is what makes mornings easier.
