Makeover Momma

New Momma Mayhem: It is said that pregnancy hormones can make your hair thick, shiny and luxurious…but what happens after the delivery? The majority of us harried ladies may find our hair brittle and dry from the killer combo of decreasing hormones, stress, lack of sleep…lack of nutrition…lack of sanity, and so on. Regardless of the reason, shiny and hydrated hair can be quick and affordable with these simple tips…

THE FIX:

· Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate- Motherhood naturally decreases the amount of times you wash your hair (which can help it retain natural oils), but make sure to apply a deep conditioner to strands every time your hair gets wet. Once per week, apply the cream to dry strands and leave on over night (or while cleaning the house, changing diapers, etc.)

We Recommend: Samy Beyond Repair Professional Hair Mask is good for daily deep conditioning and longer treatments, but doesn’t weight hair down.

• Primp With Product- After vowing to deep condition hair whenever possible, start applying a product post-shower that will make hair soft and silky (from root to tip) on a consistent basis.

We Recommend: Got 2b Stylini Tipsy 24 Hour Root 2 Tip Hair Silkener, which (despite its long name) is a fast and simple way to make hair silky and shiny.

* All product suggestions at Makeover Momma™ can be purchased at your local Wal-Mart, Target, similar drugstore, or online at www.drugstore.com.

                Christina Aguilera is not only a busy mother to new son Max, but she has also mastered the art of flattering post-partum curves. Instead of hiding or contorting her new shape, she creates the appearance of lean legs with dark-wash sleek denim, while elongating her torso in layered tops that hit at the hips. This long and layered look is ideal for new mothers who want comfort and style, while the dose of leather from her cropped jacket adds a hint of rocker to the ensemble.

Get The Look:

Jeans:  Flatter and control curves with bootcut jeans like NY & Company’s Curvy SoHo jeans which have some stretch.

Longer Top: Create elongated layers with a hip-length tank top (like a No Boundaries Skinny Layering tank) and a loose waist-length tank (like this grey No Boundaries Trapeze Top), both from Wal-Mart.

Jacket: Add a good dose of androgyny to this masculine-but-femme ensemble with a comfortable leather jacket, like Forever 21’s Bomber Jacket.

Have a celeb momma fashion that you love, and want to know how to get it on a budget? Let us know, and we will help!

The Diet:  Vegan or Vegetarian Eating

            The clean or vegan lifestyle has long since by toted by such stunning celebs as Alicia Silverstone and Natalie Portman (and even Pamela Anderson, who swears her fit physique is compliments of vegan eating and not exercise.) Even diet loving Oprah has recently tested out this toned down diet, by cutting gluten, alcohol, sugar and all animal products out of her diet for 21 days (via popular book “Quantum Wellness.”) Although none of these afore mentioned celebrities or women are busy mothers, we had to wonder…can an animal friendly lifestyle, fit into an animalistic motherhood routine?

The Pros= No matter how un-glamorous “clean eating” may seem compared to fancy diet plans and regimented eating systems, it goes without saying that healthy food trumps diets every time (for lifelong weight loss success.) Numerous studies continue to show the vastitude of long term health benefits that a well rounded vegetarian or vegan diet provides. This way of eating can prevent disease, lower cholesterol and risks of diabetes and so much more (even if it has a bad reputation.) Basically, if you clean up your way of eating in any capacity, you will be healthier, leaner and live longer for your children. The added bonus? Cutting your meat and animal product intake just a few days a week can greatly help the environment, which means you can “go green” while eating your greens.

The Cons=  Although we personally advocate clean living, a lot of us just love a good steak…or hamburger…or sausage (and secretly scoff at crazy tree huggers). If parting with your pork is just too hard to bare, start by simply trying to eat fish and chicken during the week, and save red meat only for weekends, eating out or special occasions. If you want to help the environment while still eating meat, simply try choosing organic or local cuts of meat (which may also cut down on your overall intake).

Is It Motherhood Friendly? – Going veg can be more affordable than meat-laden diets, is great for your health and generally will keep the weight off. Still seem too daunting? Read these simple tips…

•         Begin by choosing white pieces of meat instead of red (chicken or turkey instead of pork and beef.) Also, try choosing lean cuts of meat such as salmon, shrimp or grilled chicken, and save fatty dark meats for the weekends.

• If you want to take on this lifestyle whole heartedly, than try weaning yourself off of meat and choosing other forms of protein instead. Go for organic peanut butters, beans (chick peas, black beans and more), legumes or lentils, nuts and fortified whole-grain products instead. If you want to go vegan, bypass the egg whites and dairy (good protein for mere vegetarians) in place of soy milk and yogurts, tofu scrambles, tempeh or “faux” veggie meats.

• In order to garner all of the benefits of veggie eating, it is important to keep your diet full of variety. Instead of choosing carbohydrates like cereal and bagels at every meal (a common pitfall and source of weight gain for many new vegetarians), seek out a wide variety of deep vegetables, vibrant fruits, unsalted nuts, seeds and more.

JUST FOR FUN TREND:  P9OX — Intense In-Home Workout Video Systems

MAKEOVER MOMMA™ RATING: C-

REVIEW: We at Makeover Momma love any and all women who have the initiative, motivation and incentive to take care of their health post-partum by exercising. There are a wide variety of intense workouts systems, such as P90X, which (although their charming infomercials are fun to watch during late night feedings) are just not that realistic for busy parents.

Although we secretly wish we could try out this trend in our single days, these 60 minutes per day (for 90 days) sweat fests may deliver results to the lucky few with time to commit, but most of our energy is spent changing diapers and cleaning up crayon graffiti from our living room walls. And although infomercials are enticing, the nearly $120 price tag is staggering for strapped parents. How to improve this trend? Try renting a wide variety of challenging fitness DVD’s from Netflix or your local library, and rotating for 90 days to create your own routine. Better yet? Start exercising for 30 minutes per day in order to create lasting and reasonable results, and prevent post-partum fitness burn out.

Celeb Beauty – Salma Hayek is a beautiful actress and proud mother to daughter Valentina… yet, we at Makeover Momma can’t help but admire her enviably shiny hair.

The Look – Long, dark locks that are supremely straight and shiny.

Who This Look Works For – New mothers who have naturally straight hair or dark coloring should jump for this style, but mothers with wavy, curly or lighter strands should skip it all together (save yourself the extra trouble.) Try to shampoo and condition hair every-other day with products created for sleek styles, and keep locks shiny by adding a thick deep conditioner whenever possible (multi-task by conditioning hair while cleaning the house or feeding baby.) This style is low-maintainence, but high on shine and glamour.

Make It Work For You – To improve straight hair without hours of blow drying, try spraying daily with Nexxus Sleek Style spray, which is said to straighten hair texture slowly over time (in addition to providing potent styling power). Keep strands a uniform (and easy to manage) shade of deep brunette to flatter your skin tone, and avoid high-maintenance highlights in favor of high-shine (try rinsing hair with clear glossing treatment twice per month, like John Frieda Luminous Clear Shine Color Glaze).

NO BRAINER OUTFIT: loose classic shift dress + dainty kitten heels + bold accessories

WHY THIS WORKS: A mini shift dress can conceal post-partum pudge (whether real, imagined or hormone induced), while showing off a woman’s most flattering assets (long neck and even longer legs.) Try choosing a style that is classic in shape and structure (ie. zero cling factor) so that you can relax and feel sexy (nursing bra be damned!) Take this look from dumpy to darling by adding supportive kitten heels and daring accessories (like stacked bangle bracelets, a bold necklace or long colorful earrings.)

LESSON LEARNED: No matter your size or shape, add this comfy shift to your “in-a-moments-notice” motherly wardrobe…and you can dress it down or up however needed.

      Unlike most toddlers who are learning their first colors, my toddler is obsessed with perhaps the most obscure of the spectrum: yellow and purple. Our kitchen is overrun with squash, egg yolks, bananas, egg-plant, plums or grapes (among many colorful and healthy foods.) Bizarre as their eating preferences may seem, it goes without saying that we can stand to learn a lot from the colorful habits our children innately possess.

     Remember the days when eating was about taste, color, and enrichment, instead of fast, faster, and more fattening? As parents, we could completely revamp our diet into something nutritious and delightful, purely using the colors that nature provides to guide us. Try skipping the bland and processed foods that are dull in color, such as white flour, sugar, processed carbs, or items that come in colors only dye and synthetics could create (read: fruity pebbles do not count as healthy colors!) Instead, why not try filling your plate with colors that are both discernible and worthy of your toddler’s appreciation: rich produce, deep vegetables and greens, and natural whole grains will not only make your plate beautiful…but they’ll make your body and health beautiful too.

* Have a New Momma No Brainer question? Ask us and we will answer any of your nutritional queries or conundrums…

· Photo courtesy of www.environment.nau.edu

Exercising can feel selfish to many new (or veteran) mothers, because it takes time away from your baby. We at Makeover Momma™ believe firmly in fitting fitness into your lifestyle (which includes baby inclusion all the way). Try teaching little ones valuable skills while getting fit…its like homeschooling and personal training in one!

Active mother Naomi Watts knows that adding your baby’s weight to your lifestyle can help you lose your own baby weight.

·         Young infant – As soon as that little one has secure neck strength, you can start teaching basic songs and rhythms through singing. Try creating an exercise circuit by picking 2 lullabies: one for cardio and one for strength training. Hold baby securely in your arms and sing one song while doing simple cardio movements (walk rapidly around the house, dance in place or climb stairs) and sing another song while using baby as weight for strength (press overhead, press to each side, press out from your chest or use as weight during squats and lunges.)

·         BENEFIT: Alternating between lullabies will create and intense and efficient interval circuit, while soothing your baby too!

Busy mom Bridget Moynahan knows that exercising with baby equals multitasking.

·         Growing Baby – If your baby is still comfortable in your arms (ie. not crawling away constantly), try teaching them how to count by creating a number circuit. Sit down and let them straddle one extended leg (raised at hip level in front of you.) From here, use your leg to “draw” numbers 1-10 in the air while counting out loud (your thighs will be truly burn!) Afterwards, use baby to do 10 swing squats (squat and swing them between your legs,) 10 overhead presses and  10 step-ups. Finally, hold them securely in your arms, and draw numbers 1 through 10 in the air in front of you (this is a killer arm routine and will hit nearly every muscle you have.)

·         BENEFIT: Your baby will have fun while learning to count (and you will be toning from head to toe.)

*   Tune in next month for Toddler and Young Child exercise ideas that both shape (you) and school (them). Have tips or advice of your own, or want to be a Makeover Momma healthy mother model? Share with us or send in an image!

   Nearly infamous mother Michelle Williams is a movie and television star in her own right, but also proud and active mother to daughter Matilda. Although it may seem difficult to get shiny hair, preserve color or prevent dandruff as a new mom, but Makeover Momma’s™ sneaky spa moment is as simple as brushing your hair. We have fallen in love with the new Goody’s Styling Therapy brushes, which can treat your hair while you comb (isn’t that genius?) It comes in three varieties (one to preserve hair color, one to prevent and treat dandruff and one to add shine with jojoba oil) and can literally be used while bathing/feeding/burping your child. Its sneaky, its clever and it will do a hair ‘do good.

UNFLATTERING FAUX PAS:

Even though it may come in handy to have (what men charmingly refer to as) “child bearing hips” when delivering a baby…it may not seem quite as handy when dressing post-partum. Have confidence in those curves with well-placed outfits and proportional clothing.

FIGURE FLATTERY FIX:

Instead of hiding your curves after baby, simply learn the three keys to highlighting those beautiful womanly hips: 1) Accentuate a small waist or shoulders to create proportion, 2) balance hips with a wider cut in either pants or skirt, and 3) wear a flattering color, cinched waistline or something that makes you feel sexy.

1. A top with balance: Aim for a top or shirt with wider cut shoulders, ruffles on top or a dramatic neckline. Balancing out small shoulders to hips will create leaner proportions and balance overall.

TRY: Layered Puff Sleeve Top for Wet Seal

2. A cinched belt or waistline: Nipping your top or dress at the waist creates an hourglass figure, which is enviable to anyone. Try a soft belt with light stretch so that you can flatter your figure, while still being comfortable after baby.

TRY: City Style Wide Stretch Belt from NY&Company

3. A wide cut bottom: Choose an A-line skirt or wider cut trousers to balance out hips. Although it seem counterproductive to wear wider clothing on your widest area, clothing with slight give and structure is better than tight, stretchy items.

TRY:Victoria’s Secret Linen Drawstring Skirt

Fashion Fix Prices:

· Balancing Bold Top — 18.50

· Stretchy Belt — 13.96

· A-line or wide skirt — 29.50