My 5-Minute Beauty Treats!

Time is fleeting. Every day. I have about a combined two full hours each day to do anything I want that does not involve feeding babies, playing with or comforting babies, moving babies around, washing bottles, making bottles, restocking diapers (or diaper cream, rice cereal, formula and more) or...well, you get the point.

But I never want to forget about myself. In all the craziness, a quiet five minutes can be the means to a quick and easy rejuvenating treatment. So I thought I'd share the mini treats I've been enjoying lately. I can squeeze one or more of these in a day!

Neutrogena Deep Clean Cleanser/Mask: This product is great, because it has that grainy consistency to help gently exfoliate when you use it as a regular cleanser, but it's also thick enough to be a mask for a once-a-week shine control treatment for skin. I love how fresh, clean and tingly my skin feels after I use the mask treatment and it really does help with breakouts. I can put it on when I'm getting in the shower and then rinse off after a couple minutes.

Bath & Body Works Vanilla Coconut lotion: It's no secret that I LOVE coconut. Coconut-scented, coconut-flavored, I love it all. My favorite scent (and thing to do!) is to slather tanning oil all over and sizzle out in the sun and work on my tan. Before I was on hospital bedrest and then house arrest with quadruplets, I maintained a pretty rockin' tan every summer. Brown as a bear. But while I can't tan at the moment, I'll settle for the smell of summer time to brighten up my days. I use this lotion daily, especially at night before bed. (PS - If you want a great self-tanner lotion, I religiously use Jergens Natural Glow Express in the medium/dark shade. You have to rub it in really good but you'll have a very nice, bronze tan in three days.)

Revlon Stainless Tweezers: A good, solid pair of tweezers is a must in my life. I pluck my own eyebrows and have a high natural arch, so I have to do it at least twice a week to keep my brown line nice and clean. These tweezers have lasted years and the sharp, slanted edge makes it easy to use. I get asked all the time where I get my eyebrows waxed. Just five minutes in front of the mirror each week gets me the results I want in minimal time.

Sally Hansen Nail & Cuticle Oil: This oil is a great way to moisturize my cuticles, and my hands, before I go to bed at night. I use it a couple times a week and sparingly, since a little goes a long way. I don't really get manicures anymore, since I chew my cuticles anyway and they don't last long. This helps repair the damage I cause and also heals cracked and dry fingertips, since I'm washing my hands and using hand sanitizer every other second with the babies at home. 

True Blue Spa Paraffin Super Softening Hand Lotion: This stuff is like the Holy Grail of hand lotions. I'm very picky about lotions that don't leave your hands feeling slimy and greasy after you use it, plus I need stuff to help my cracked knuckles and tired hands. I use this stuff frequently throughout the day and also on my feet at night now and then before I go to bed. I mean, c'mon, this takes less than five minutes! (This product is from Bath & Body Works.)

Willa Naturals Fresh Face: This is my newest find and I love it. I get these little cucumber face mask packets at Target. They're normally like $1.75 apiece and I just got several on sale for 87 cents. It's a thick, bright green mask and I always apply it before I get in the shower, washing my face last. It leaves my skin clear, soft and refreshed. I use these maybe twice a month.

Rewined candles: These aren't exactly a beauty item but they are very relaxing and can be a great addition to a hot bath, while reading a magazine or, if you're like me, to smell while you're making 16 bottles for the next day! Just flick a match and light. Made from natural soy wax, they are each hand poured into recycled wine bottle bottoms and come in scents like Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet and Champagne. The company is family-owned and based in South Carolina and date and initial every candle that goes out. I've got the Pinot Noir burning now and it smells divine...

Birchbox: A few months ago, I signed up to receive Birchbox's monthly box of goodies for $10/month. They send new sample-sized wares from hair treatments and fragrance to bronzer and face lotions. It's a great way to try out the latest beauty products without going crazy or getting stuck with a full-sized bottle of something you may or may not love. And it's definitely introduced me to some things I've really enjoyed, like a luxe Australian-made lip gloss and super conditioning hair masques. I look forward to getting my box every month and make five minutes to sit down and rummage through my loot. You can customize your box when you sign up online as well. (For your own box, click here.)

My other five-minute beauty treats? Read on...

• I have started taking skin moisturizing more seriously, and now use a Neutrogena eye cream, serum and night cream on my skin before bed. It takes, you guessed it, five minutes to apply and I've noticed a positive change in the brightness, smoothness and clarity of my skin. No more dry patches! Glowing skin also makes you look less tired, even when that's not necessarily true. ;)

• Hot chocolate has been a go-to drink for me in the evenings lately. Especially when it's cold outside. It takes a couple minutes to make and I add a big splash of milk for a richer, creamier taste. I sip on it in bed or curled up in the recliner with a blanket while the husband and I watch a TV show once the babies have gone to sleep.

• A heated neck wrap is a great way to relax with minimal effort. I have a soft neck wrap with herbs and lavender inside. I microwave it for two minutes then wear it around my neck or shoulders to relieve tension after a long day. It also goes great with hot chocolate... ;)

Don't forget to take a little time for you this week! Have your own arsenal of quick-hit beauty treats? Share them with me in the comments section below!