On low energy days, if it takes longer than 3 minutes, I’m OUT.
As a sleep-deprived single mom working two jobs with three school age kids still at home, I’m TIRED, yall. But I don’t want to LOOK tired.
As an ADHDer, every day is different for how many spoons I have.
On high energy days, sometimes I like to feel like a fancy pants and get all gussied up!
But most days, I have just enough spoons to look not dead before getting distracted by kids. But I still want to look like I slept more than 4 hours and maybe drank water once this week.
Fear not! This is NOT some 12-step skincare influencer fantasy.
This is my real-life, ADHD-proof, under-5-minute face routine. It’s fast, it’s forgiving, and it works whether I’m feeling cute or barely functional.
• No complicated brushes
• No liquid eyeliner gymnastics
• No precise contouring or time-wasting nonsense
Just slap it on with your fingers (or whatever’s clean), and you’re good to go.
Here’s what I use:
🧴 Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream with SPF 30
This stuff is magic in a tube. It hydrates, evens out my skin tone, and has sunscreen built in. Moisturizer, SPF, tint, and life filter all in one. I can smear this on half-asleep and it still makes me look like a functioning adult. It’s the only step I never skip—because it does the most with the least effort.
✨ Maybelline Master Chrome Highlighter in Molten Gold
A tiny tap on your cheekbones and inner corners and boom—you look alive. Like, sunlight-from-within alive. It makes you look like you slept and smiled. I love this stuff.
✏️ Maybelline Unstoppable Waterproof Eyeliner in Onyx
Smooth, easy, smudge-proof, and stays put even if I rub my eyes, chase a kid, or cry at a red light. If I want my eyes to pop, I smudge this just on the top lash line and I’m done. No sharpening. No wing. No stress.
👁️ Maybelline Sky High Mascara (Blackest Black)
This mascara is a cult classic for a reason. Lengthens, thickens, curls—does it all without flaking or clumping. Even if I only wear this and nothing else, people say, “you look great!”
💋 Maybelline Lifter Gloss in ‘Moon’ (Nude Pink)
This lipgloss is for people who hate sticky gloss. Shiny, hydrating, and makes me feel like that girl, even if my coffee is forgotten in the microwave again. With hyaluronic acid, so it actually softens your lips instead of drying them out. I keep one in the car, one in my bag, and one in my junk drawer.
Pro Tip:
Hoop earrings: Donning some simple hoop earrings elevates any look, even going sweats and bra-less in a hoodie and slides.
On Low-Energy Days, The Goal Is To Just Not Look Tired
You know the vibe. The kind of day where if someone looks at you sideways and says, “Are you okay?” you might cry. So instead of fielding those questions, I slap on my BB cream and call it a win.
🧴 BB Cream again. Always. Because it’s the one thing I can do that makes me feel slightly more human without requiring a mirror or a will to live.
Bonus: Quick Face Wipes When I Can’t Even Wash My Face
Sometimes I don’t even have the energy to splash water on my face, and that’s where these MVPs come in.
🧼 Cetaphil Makeup Remover Wipes – For those nights when I fall asleep in makeup (again), or mornings when my face needs a reset without the sink.
🧼 Cetaphil Face & Body Wipes – Big, juicy wipes that clean everything from your face to your armpits. These live in my car, gym bag, and purse. Bless them.
This routine is for the days when I want to glow but don’t want to spiral. It’s quick, easy, and makes a huge difference in how I feel. If you’re tired but don’t want to look tired, try this out—and snag the exact products I use from my links below.
🛒 Shop My ADHD Morning Glow-Up Favorites:
• BB Cream
• Eyeliner
• Mascara
PS: If you buy anything using my links, you’re helping this tired single mom pay the bills—so thank you for that tiny win.
