Jennifer Chiu
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Self-care...that's not a bubble bath 🛀✨

Self-care...that's not a bubble bath 🛀✨

Spoiler: it’s way less fancy but actually works... and doesn’t require candles, spa days, or an hour of free time.

Jennifer Chiu
February 26, 2025

Hi beautiful, ☕️

Lately, I feel like I’m in a constant game of mental Tetris…

Trying to fit a million moving pieces together without everything collapsing.

Here’s what’s been on my mind:

My son’s birthday is coming up, and I made the rookie mistake of asking what theme he wants. (Why did I give him options?!) 🫠
Work is non-stop, and deadlines apparently don’t care that I also have to figure out how to make a Pokémon cake.
And somewhere in all of this, I’m supposed to take care of myself? (LOL.)

So, I’ve been testing ways to stay sane, makeup hacks that keep my face looking fresh in under five minutes, and break out of the "every day feels the same" cycle.

Makeup hacks for the busy babe

Some mornings, I have maybe two minutes to make myself look alive, and that’s if no one spills cereal all over the floor.

The “I Did Something” Glow

Gone are the days of primer, foundation, and blending for an eternity. Now, I slap on this super serum tinted SPF and call it a win. It evens out my skin, adds a little glow, and most importantly, takes one step instead of three.💡 Tip: Need extra coverage? Mix in one drop of concealer—boom, DIY skin tint that hides the fact that you got five hours of sleep (if you’re lucky).

The Lazy Girl’s Eyeliner Hack

Winged liner at 7 AM? Absolutely not. But pressing my fav waterproof brown eyeliner into my upper lash line? Takes five seconds and makes my lashes look fuller—instant eye lift, no precision required. 💡 Tip: Smudge it slightly with your finger or a brush for a soft, effortless look. Mistakes? Don’t exist here.

Instant “I Got Sleep” Trick

I am obsessed with this baby cheeks blush stick for my cheeks and lips. Suddenly, I don’t look like I rolled out of bed five minutes ago (even if I did). It blends in two seconds, no brushes needed.💡 Tip: Swipe a little on the bridge of your nose—gives that sun-kissed glow without the sun damage.

The “Effortless” Effort

I might skip eyeshadow, but I never skip brows. TBH, I feel a little naked when I leave the house without my brows on. I use my non-negotiable go-to brow gel, and this brow pencil to get that fluffy, model brow. I go from “half asleep” to “yes, I totally tried today”.💡 Tip: Brush up and slightly outwards for a lifted effect.

The Lazy Girl Lip Fix

Lipstick is too much effort. Chapstick is meh. But this lip glow balm? Hydrating, glossy, and makes me look like I have my life together.💡 Tip: Dab a tiny bit on your cheekbones for a natural, dewy highlight—looks effortless but so pretty.

The best part?

This whole thing takes less than five minutes, and I still feel like myself…

Just less zombie, more human.

Self care (that’s not about beauty)

Self-care doesn’t always mean taking a spa day, lighting candles, or soaking in a bubble bath (though, let’s be honest, that does sound nice).

Sometimes, self-care looks a little less glamorous but a whole lot more necessary like:

Walking around the mall alone 🛒 – Just me and the illusion that I have time to browse. Will I actually leave with what I came for? Absolutely not. But the vibes are healing.
Laying down for 10 minutes (without my phone) 🛏️ – Not a nap, not meditation—just me, existing in silence. It’s like pressing the reset button on my brain.
Ignoring housework for one extra hour 🧺 – The mess will still be there later. My sanity comes first.
Ordering something tiny just for me 💌 – A fancy tea, a cute notepad or another Amazon impulse buy I don’t need—but will absolutely justify because joy is important.
Eating a snack in the pantry so I don’t have to share 🍫 – Sorry, kids, Mommy needs this moment alone.

Sometimes, self-care isn’t about pampering…

It’s about finding tiny moments of peace in the chaos.

And honestly? That matters just as much.

If my outfit had a mood: autopilot 😂

Breaking the same old routine…

Lately, every day feels like a glitch in the Matrix—same chaos, different day.

Kids fighting over a toy they haven’t played with in months
Me, reheating my coffee for the third time
Work, chores, laundry… repeat forever

So, I’ve been switching things up in tiny, low-effort ways, and surprisingly, it helps.

Change my morning drink – Iced matcha instead of coffee? Feels daring. 🍵

Take a different route on my walk – Suddenly, I’m an adventurer instead of just someone avoiding folding laundry.

Plan one small, fun thing daily – A fancy drink, an episode of a show (my current binge: Severance 🤯), literally anything that gives me something to look forward to.

Say yes to one spontaneous thing a week – Because if I don’t, life will be on autopilot, and suddenly, it’ll be 2035.