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Mothers Are Applying Make Up Before Giving Birth And Not Everyone Is On Board With The Trend
Childbirth is painful, tiring, messy, and now, glamorous? Women around the world are blending and contouring with the ongoing trend of applying makeup before giving birth. We aren’t talking about a touch of mascara or some undereye cover-up to freshen up your face. No, these mothers are doing full face makeup that is Instagram ready.
It might sound bizarre to some to prep for the camera during this strenuous time, but a study from Cosmetify revealed that 64 percent of women aged 18 to 31 get beauty treatments before going into labor. That includes hair removal (65 percent), a manicure (57 percent), pedicure (43 percent), spray tan (37 percent), or a blow-dry, cut, or styling (32 percent). While glamming up for this life-changing occasion is not exactly a new thing, women have different reasons as to why.
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Women around the world are preparing for childbirth by applying makeup
Image credits: alexisjayda
The real image of childbirth has been stigmatized for centuries, and women have felt pressure to hide the very unpolished reality. Social media has presented a whole new pressure to this equation for some. In the same study, respondents were asked why they were so concerned about their appearance following childbirth. Among the top reasons were looking good in photos (31 percent), looking presentable for visitors (26 percent), or avoiding looking ill, drained, and tired (22 percent). A different study revealed that the average woman applies face makeup within two-and-a-half hours of giving birth. Pictured above is beauty blogger Alexis Jayda in California, who recorded makeup tutorials while waiting to give birth to her child.
Image credits: 143diana
Another fellow beauty influencer Dana Chavez checked to make sure her contouring was on fleek and her eyebrows shaped up for her labor.
Image credits: 143diana
Lee Ann Jarrell took her childbirth glam so seriously that she said she ‘refused’ to give birth until her makeup was all done in 2018.
Image credits: leeannjarrell
For some women, the pre-birth makeup ritual served as a distraction to keep their minds off the pain of the contractions, while others chose to apply their makeup post-birth for Instagram pics.
Image credits: leeannjarrell
This mom in California had a false alarm that sent her to the delivery room early, which gave her a chance to play around with some makeup ideas.
Image credits: glamandgab
New York makeup artist, Alaha Karimi, went viral for the three makeup prep photos she shared back in 2016. According to her interview later with ABC News, she said the glam-up provided a much-needed distraction from her contractions. “I went to the hospital at 7:30 a.m., and I was in labor for a total of 10 hours that day,” she told ABC News. “I had an epidural around 8:30 or 9:00 a.m., so when it started to wear off, I needed something to distract myself from the pain.”
Alaha had her beauty photos go viral in 2015 when she shared images of herself in the process of applying her make-up followed by another pic of her experiencing contractions in the middle of it.
Image credits: makeupbyalaha
Alaha is known for her bridal makeup looks and made a joke that if her makeup could last through a wedding day filled with tears, it could hold up during labor
Image credits: makeupbyalaha
This British mother-to-be primped herself with some ‘labor lashes’ before her delivery.
Image credits: lash_adore
Women should always consult with their doctors when it comes to product safety. “Lists are always ordered from largest to smallest in terms of ingredient quantity,” New York-based makeup artist Mary Irwin told The Bump. “Remember, the first three things listed will be the most active. Also, the smaller the list, the less likely you are to have a reaction.”
US blogger Brianna Lynch struggled to apply her make up wrapped up in a blood pressure cuff around her, this took true talent to achieve.
Image credits: briannaoden
“During pregnancy, the skin is often turning over more quickly, so you can accumulate dead skin and sometimes require more foundation,” says Shilpi Agarwal, MD, author of The 10-Day Total Body Transformation and board-certified family medicine physician in Washington, DC.
Image credits: briannaoden
Not all women who want to get dolled up do it themselves. Makeup artist Tegan Woodford, from Queensland’s Gold Coast, was called in to do a makeover for her sister-in-law as she was going into labor.
Image credits: tegan
“I got a phone call from my sis-in-law at 2am saying she had her first contraction,” recalled Tegan, and said she immediately jumped on the next flight to Adelaide.
Image credits: _christin3lizabeth_
Even before they make it to the hospital some women plan ahead of their scheduled deliveries and make lash appointments like expectant mother Christine from Northern Ireland.
According to the Arizona OBGYN Affiliates: “Most makeup products, such as powders, foundations, mascaras, eyeliners, etc. are safe to use during pregnancy, as long as you avoid those makeup products that contain retinoids or salicylic acid.”
People’s reactions were mixed
Some thought putting make up in the delivery room was a bit too much:
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What do you think ?
Sergio Bicerra Descalzi 5 years ago
I don't care about makeup at all, and seems a little shallow considering the occasion, but if u can feel pretty in one of the happiest (and painful) days of your lives, I don't judge.
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Brigitte 5 years ago
I'm surprised that much makeup is even allowed at the hospital. There's nothing wrong with some (waterproof) mascara and a little concealer but false lashes, glitter eyeshadow and heavy contouring? What the hell? The amount of makeup and brushes these women had in their hospital bags is insane. If you're that much worried about how you look during the most natural thing on earth, then there's seriously something very wrong with you. This is vanity beyond reason.
Luc C 5 years ago
I'm not. It isn't going to harm the laboring mother to do her makeup, and it could even be a pain management technique (especially is mama doesn't want pain meds). Labor is weird. Sometimes it's just nice to be in control of something during a time where you can't control what all your body is doing.
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Valentina Lattante 5 years ago
I'm ok with the makeup thing, everyone should do what it's best for them, however i knew that, in hospitals, if there is the possibility to undergo a surgery, you should not wear makeup or nail polish, as skin or nail colour is an indicator of good/bad health....
Sergio Bicerra Descalzi 5 years ago
I don't care about makeup at all, and seems a little shallow considering the occasion, but if u can feel pretty in one of the happiest (and painful) days of your lives, I don't judge.
Load More Replies... Brigitte 5 years ago
I'm surprised that much makeup is even allowed at the hospital. There's nothing wrong with some (waterproof) mascara and a little concealer but false lashes, glitter eyeshadow and heavy contouring? What the hell? The amount of makeup and brushes these women had in their hospital bags is insane. If you're that much worried about how you look during the most natural thing on earth, then there's seriously something very wrong with you. This is vanity beyond reason.
Luc C 5 years ago
I'm not. It isn't going to harm the laboring mother to do her makeup, and it could even be a pain management technique (especially is mama doesn't want pain meds). Labor is weird. Sometimes it's just nice to be in control of something during a time where you can't control what all your body is doing.
Load More Replies... Valentina Lattante 5 years ago
I'm ok with the makeup thing, everyone should do what it's best for them, however i knew that, in hospitals, if there is the possibility to undergo a surgery, you should not wear makeup or nail polish, as skin or nail colour is an indicator of good/bad health....
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