I’ve often complained to my coworkers about the dim lighting in our communal bathroom at the office. The flourescent bulbs seem to be from an era past, casting my beautiful spring whites in nasty shades of yellow. My skin, which is already sallow to begin with, seemed ever more orange in the atmosphere of the bathroom. Which is why I was shocked to walk into work this morning and find that these tawny bulbs have been replaced with brighter alternatives.
Unfortunately, this means now I can see how bad I look by the end of the day.
I’ve ranted before about how difficult it is to get ready in the morning for work when you have a baby to contend with. But now, I fear, my new foe is the brilliant bulb giving off its ray of fake sunshine in the loo. It’s bringing out the very worst in my appearance.
See, 8 months into this working mom thing, I’ve got my morning routine down pat. As long as I can distract my son with an episode of Noddy or whatever is on at the early hour I get ready, I can apply my foundation semi-evenly and smear concealer onto my chin, where it seems I am reliving my adolescent youth. A stroke of blush, some mascara, (permanent eyeliner if I am lucky), finishing powder and I am typically good to go. Fixing up my face is the last step of my morning routine and when I am finished, I usually do not take another look in the mirror. There’s no time for hiding that one last freckle or wrinkle. I’ve got to get to work.
And when I’m at work, I’m usually too busy or too lazy to check on my appearance.
But by the time 3 p.m rolls around and I leisurely stroll to the bathroom to stretch my legs I am horrified at what I see. My mascara is smudged, the pubescent acne spot (ok, zit!) is erupting and I have a sheen about me that reminds me why I never opted for the “dewy” look in the ’90s. Yes, I could bring my powder compact to work. Yes, I could reapply concealer at the end of the day. But somehow, I always forget to do this.
At least there’s a bright side. My son. Thankfully, he doesn’t care how shiny, or matte or smudged I look at the end of day. As long as I’m home in time to put him to bed, he glows like the brightest bulb there ever was. And that’s all that really matters, isn’t it?
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I thought we stopped getting pimples when we became grownups. If having a one year old and paying bills and a mortgage doesn’t qualify me as an adult what will? Or should I be thankful for the zits because the alternative is wrinkles?
You need a working mom toolkit!
I swear I’m going to assemble and
market these one day. A small bag
in your desk drawer with backup makeup,
stockings (if you ever wear them)
deodorant, a hair clip, some
chocolate (for emergencies) and a tiny
mirror.
In the car you need all the wrapping
tools you need and a couple of
random gifts for that kids’
birthday party you completely forgot
about!
Unfortunately I’m pretty anal about my looks. I think I check a mirror 5 times before I actually leave the house, and then I’m constantly checking my little powder mirror at my desk, not to mention the 4 trip to the bathroom (not to look in a mirror, but hey, it’s there. I wish I could not be so picky about how I look!
I agree with Marijean’s desk drawer essentials. I have all of them in my drawer right now. I’m embarrassed to admit how many times I’ve forgotten deodorant in he working mom rush to get out the door in the morning.