High Maintenance Beauty Products for a Low Maintenance Life: A Guide for Busy Mums.

Let’s face it—life’s busy enough without a 30-step skincare routine every morning. We want to look fresh and fabulous without dedicating an entire wing of our morning to beauty regimens. But sometimes, paradoxically, the secret to a low-maintenance routine is a few high-maintenance products upfront. Yes, we're talking about those magical, time-consuming splurges that ultimately let you roll out of bed looking chic. So let’s dive into some high-maintenance beauty investments that’ll keep you looking flawless with minimal effort on the daily!

1. Eyelash Extensions: The Lash-Ting of Your Dreams

The High Maintenance Part: Getting eyelash extensions takes about 1.5–2 hours, and the upkeep means filling them every few weeks. You’ll have to be gentle around your eyes, avoid certain makeup removers, and skip oily products.

The Low Maintenance Payoff: Once you have these fluttery lashes, mascara and eyeliner can take a permanent holiday! Wake up with eyes that look bright and open, even if you didn’t sleep at all. Whether you’re going to the gym or rolling into brunch, you’ve already got the “effortlessly glam” look down.

2. At-Home Gel Manicures: Salon-Level Nails Without Leaving the House

The High Maintenance Part: Doing your own gel manicure takes some setup, including investing in a UV or LED lamp and getting the right gel polish kit. Plus, applying gel polish requires a steady hand and patience to layer base coats, colour, and top coats.

The Low Maintenance Payoff: With a little practice, at-home gel manicures can give you salon-quality results that last up to two weeks without chips. No more last-minute appointments or nail emergencies! You’ll save money over time and can easily refresh your nails whenever it suits you. It’s a one-time investment for nail freedom, and you get to experiment with any color or design you want, all from the comfort of home

3. Microblading: The Brows That Don’t Quit

The High Maintenance Part: This semi-permanent eyebrow tattooing technique can take a couple of hours and is not the cheapest service. There's also a bit of downtime afterward while they heal.

The Low Maintenance Payoff: Waking up with perfect brows every day? Priceless. Forget filling in, shaping, or worrying if your brows are sisters or distant cousins—microbladed brows are the ultimate time-saver. It’s like waking up with a filter on.

4. Keratin Treatment: Smooth, Frizz-Free Hair for Weeks

The High Maintenance Part: Keratin treatments take about two to three hours, and there are post-treatment restrictions, like avoiding ponytails or clips, for the first few days.

The Low Maintenance Payoff: If your hair tends to frizz in humidity or after washing, a keratin treatment can be a game-changer. You’ll cut styling time in half (or eliminate it altogether), and goodbye to the endless cycle of products and tools! Perfect hair, rain or shine? Yes, please.

5. Laser Hair Removal: The Ultimate Razor-Free Life

The High Maintenance Part: This isn’t a one-and-done deal. Laser hair removal takes multiple sessions over several months and requires avoiding sun exposure during the process.

The Low Maintenance Payoff: Once you’ve completed the sessions, you can basically retire your razor and wax strips forever. No more last-minute panics over leg stubble before hitting the beach, and you’ll be saving time (and sanity) in the long run.

6. Teeth Whitening: Brighten Once, Smile Often

The High Maintenance Part: Whitening treatments can be a bit of a splurge, especially if done professionally, and you may need to cut back on teeth-staining beverages for a while.

The Low Maintenance Payoff: The confidence boost of having a bright smile is unbeatable. You won’t have to fuss over the state of your smile every time you’re out in public or shy away from bold lip colours. Just flash those pearly whites and call it a day.

7. Facial Peels: Because Radiant Skin Requires Some Peeling

The High Maintenance Part: Chemical peels can require some downtime, and the process itself may feel intimidating. Plus, it might take a few rounds to achieve the full glow-up effect.

The Low Maintenance Payoff: Think of it as hitting “refresh” on your skin. Once you’ve gone through a series of peels, you can expect fewer blemishes, a more even skin tone, and less need for concealer or foundation. Skincare routines can be cut down to the basics because your skin already looks naturally radiant.

8. Mascara with Lash Growth Serum: Two-in-One for Lashes That Last

The High Maintenance Part: Finding the right mascara with a built-in lash growth serum can require some trial and error, as not all brands deliver on both volume and lash health. Plus, results take time, so you’ll need a few weeks of daily use to see the lengthening effects.

The Low Maintenance Payoff: This multitasking mascara not only gives you instantly fuller, darker lashes but also nourishes and strengthens them over time, leading to natural lash growth. You get the daily look of voluminous lashes with the added benefit of promoting length and thickness, all without needing a separate serum or worrying about false lashes. It’s a one-step way to keep your lashes looking great with lasting benefits, letting you simplify your routine while enjoying lush, healthy lashes every day!

9. Drunk Elephant Serums as Makeup: Skincare Meets Natural Glow

The High Maintenance Part: Drunk Elephant’s serums aren’t cheap, and to get the full effect, you may want to try a few of their formulas to see which ones work best with your skin. The application also takes a minute since layering serums correctly is key to getting a smooth, even look.

The Low Maintenance Payoff: Drunk Elephant serums, like the D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops and the B-Goldi Bright Drops, don’t just nourish your skin—they add a natural, glowy tint that looks like light makeup. They give you that “I woke up like this” vibe, which means you can skip foundation on casual days. You get the benefits of skincare and makeup in one, which is especially great if you want a fresh, healthy look without using a full face of products. It’s a daily glow-up that actually boosts skin health, simplifying your routine and letting your natural radiance shine.

10. Seventy Hyal Skin Booster: The Ultimate Glow Getter

The High Maintenance Part: Seventy Hyal is a skin booster treatment that involves injections of hyaluronic acid to deeply hydrate and rejuvenate the skin. It takes around 30 minutes per session, and for best results, you may need a few sessions spaced over a few weeks.

The Low Maintenance Payoff: Once your sessions are complete, get ready for an enviable glow without layers of foundation or highlighter. Seventy Hyal plumps, smooths, and hydrates skin from within, so even on your no-makeup days, you’ll look radiant. With this deep-acting hydration, you can also cut down on moisturizing products and step out confidently with naturally dewy skin. It's a top choice for achieving a "lit from within" look with minimal daily effort.

The Bottom Line: A Little More Now for a Lot Less Later

So there you have it—your guide to doing less by doing more. These high-maintenance beauty products and treatments may require a bit more effort up front, but the daily freedom they provide is worth it! They’re ideal for those of us who love looking pulled together but hate spending ages doing it. Embrace these high-maintenance hacks to enjoy a low-maintenance life that’s as stylish as it is stress-free.