I decided to call this post survival tips vs. beauty secrets because at the time, right after I had had Ava, it felt a little like survival and I definitely felt like I was far from using the word beauty with the lovely bags under my eyes and the consistent smell of spit up on me. I also know this is by no means a secret and has probably been around forever but I am just now learning of it. (Sidenote: I have yet to find the actual beauty secret that can completely erase any signs of exhaustion and fatigue from my face, besides sleep, but will certainly let you know when that day comes, if ever.)

I have always been a big advocate of washing my face morning and night. My girlfriends used to tease me in college that no matter what time I would get home from the bars (or library, if Ava is reading this) I would still make sure to wash my face. I have used Lancome products for years, ever since I worked at the Lancome counter at Macy’s right after college. But once I got pregnant, my hormones were really out of whack and as soon as my face products were running low, I picked up Cetaphil. It was recommended to me as a nice and mild face product. That was a year ago and I am officially hooked. In addition to their cleaner and face lotion, I have since tried their SPF face lotion, face cream and cleansing travel wipes. Big fan.

The other product I was unaware of before having Ava was Aquaphor. It reminds me of the movie, My Big Fat Greek Wedding when the Dad says several times throughout the film, “put some windex on it.” Well Aquaphor is my windex equivalent. I use it on Ava daily to combat diaper rash, if she has a dry patch of skin I cover it with Aquaphor or if my hands are cracked and dry at the end of the day from all the hand washing I lather Aquaphor on before I go to bed and they are restored by morning. I’ve even seen some people use Aquaphor to create a new lip shade by combining it with their blush or using it to set their brows. It’s officially a staple in my medicine cabinet. Not to mention both of these products are affordable! Done deal.