Tips for getting ready quickly

Scared-Tea-8911 · 2023-11-01T13:50:21+00:00

Good morning! Fellow office professional with kids, here!

First of all… I think putting firm time parameters on your own personal care time is a bit over-the-top controlling of your husband. It’s not really his business how long it takes you to get ready, and (as long as you are not being purposely disruptive) quietly waking up 15 minutes early so you can get a head start on the day is a reasonable solution for most reasonable people. If one of you needs to use the restroom at night… I assume you are not chained to the bed for fear of waking the other person? As a professional in your own right… if you need an extra few minutes to get ready, he needs to put on his big boy panties and let you get out of bed a few minutes before he does!

I would respectfully ask him if any of the following suggestions would enable you to get up 15-20 minutes before him without causing a disruption to his sleep schedule… Do you have a guest bathroom you could shower/get ready in to make less noise? Can he wear noise canceling headphones or put on a fan to block some of the noise you make? Can you stick a towel under the bathroom door so the light/noise doesn’t leak into the room? Can your husband handle the first few minutes of the kids routine so that you can finish up before they need you for anything, if you continue to wake up at the same time? Are the kids old enough to wake up with an alarm and use the restroom/get dressed while you finish up your own routine?

All that being said… if you agree that you would like to simplify and shorten your routine, these are some tips that help me get out the door ASAP:

Skincare in the shower. I do my face wash and exfoliating in the shower while I am waiting for my conditioner to set for two minutes. It’s long enough to get two of my six skincare steps done (wash, exfoliation, tone, serum, moisturizer, spf) before I am out of the shower.
Lay out everything the night before. Even undergarments/hosiery/shoes/jewelry. Make all those decisions the evening before, so you don’t waste a moment in the mornings and can just be in execution mode.
Wax or laser hair removal. Save yourself time shaving or touching up underarms/legs, by having hair removal once every other week or once and done with laser. Saves about 10 mins every other day (at least for me!)
Perm. HEAR ME OUT! Not an 80’s poodle perm… but a modern perm. If you are spending a long time drying and then curling your hair (or straightening your hair) a perm can help you achieve that look with less manual effort in the mornings and give you a head start. https://www.glamour.com/story/perm-hair
Wear SPF primer. Once you have your serum and moisturizer on, using a combo SPF and primer can save you a skincare application and dry down step. Primer will also help your foundation go on much better, and can save you time finessing that by helping it go on smooth the first time.
Have makeup organized and minimal. Foundation, concealer, mascara, eyeliner, eyeshadow, blush/contour, setting spray, lip. 10-15 products total. I see lots of friends who have sprawling makeup kits that cover the entire counter… but most days, you don’t need that! I keep my makeup pretty simple - very “five minute face” to feel put together but not “full glam” every day. If you haven’t already, look up “five minute face” or “ten minute face” tutorials to help simplify your makeup process.
Do things in an efficient order. I like to shower, dry off and wrap my hair in a microfiber towel to start drying, get dressed in base layer and put on a protector towel, do teeth/skincare/makeup, dry and style hair, then put on a blazer/jewelry/shoes. This gives my hair a while to towel dry so that I’m not fighting with soaking wet hair with a dryer.
Time everything out and set phone alarms to keep you on track. Plan for 10 mins in the shower, 5 minutes to dry off and get dressed, 10 minutes on teeth/skincare/makeup, and the remaining 5-10 minutes on hair.

I hope this gives you some help…! You may not get all the way to 30 minutes, but 35-45 minutes is definitely an achievable midpoint. Most women cannot get ready and take a full shower/hair/makeup in less than 30 minutes, but you should be able to take significant time off. 💕

stripykitty · 2023-11-01T21:52:40+00:00

So I’ve read the post and your comments, and I have to say, your husband is being rather unreasonable. You’ve laid out all the reasons why he cannot compromise and you’re the only one who has to, which is very concerning.

Both of you take care of the kids and both of you work. If he needs you to work, he needs to be okay with everything that comes with you working. Maybe it’s time to set some boundaries? You’ve been more than accommodating.

MuttonDressedAsGoose · 2023-11-01T16:31:41+00:00

Could your husband go to bed earlier so that waking up with you isn't as onerous for him?

diaryofalostgirl · 2023-11-01T14:00:42+00:00

Instead of assuming I know how this breaks down, where is the majority of your time going, and how are you spending it?

InevitableKiwi5776 · 2023-11-01T13:16:47+00:00

Shower and dry your hair in the evening?

MuttonDressedAsGoose · 2023-11-03T13:22:08+00:00

Op, this thread has been on my mind. I know that the point of this sub is to focus on what we can do, rather than complaining about men and trying to change them.

But I am a bit worried about you.

You have described a husband who, due to anxiety, has to have the entire household behave to his liking, and yourself as going so far to comply as to doing things like tiptoeing around holding the dog in order to maintain silence. You mention that he doesn't want any airborne dust and describe yourself as wiping the surfaces as you go to prevent any mess on the counter. You also said that he has extensive security systems and has to leave the house last to be sure everything is the way he wants it.

I sometimes get the feeling that you're not actually OK with this and you're bringing up little details in a way that makes me think you're sort of signalling that something is wrong.

Someone else said that if he has anxiety issues, this isn't the way to help him. He has to learn how to self sooth, to come up with solutions that enable him to get rest and deal with life. Your kids are going to become increasingly noisy. Are they going to have to tiptoe and remain silent?

Are you OK?

What would happen if you just sympathetically said, "I know it's tough, baby, and I hope you can find a way to cope with your anxiety "as you go about doing the perfectly normal things you need to do to be ready for work? Would he be angry? Are you trying to avoid making him angry?

youllknowwhenitstime · 2023-11-01T17:27:48+00:00

I used to get ready in literally 7 minutes, alarm-to-bus stop, because I had to be up at 5am to take two hours of buses for where I was working and the early rise was very rough on my natural sleep cycle so I decided to minimize it.

1) Quit wearing makeup OR keep a pouch you retrieve from your desk and put it on in the bathroom at work. People only think you look tired/sick/not put together without it because you've trained them to only know your face with it.

2) Clothes and anything else you take to work that day picked and set out the night before. The bulk of my in-house routine was getting into clothes and brushing my teeth.

3) Embrace an evening shower! This is a huge game changer, and it lets you be unrushed. (If you feel like you need to change your pillowcase and bedsheets more often for this to work, that's actually recommended for skin care anyway.)

4) Are you white and curly? All your hair needs is a spray bottle and comb - the water will refresh your hair in the morning. Wear hair loose and keep up on your trims for a healthy look. A bad hair day is probably fixed by pulling the offending section back, matching it symmetrically, and using a tiny clip or thin hair tie to secure behind the head. Worse bad hair days get thrown in a bun, so keep hairpins on you. I will leave tips for other hair types to those who have them.

5) You don't mention this but I was also keeping breakfast stuff at my desk and prepping it in the kitchen instead of eating at home. But that was more because my digestive system did not want to wake up at 5am either lol

IcarusKiki · 2023-11-01T20:17:19+00:00

Idk if I can do under thirty for shower and all that. That’s kinda crazy. But you can simplify makeup by using a stain for both lip and cheek, doing spot concealing instead of foundation, showering the night before if possible, laying out clothes the night before

cutiesweetiekins · 2023-11-01T17:34:23+00:00

If laser hair removal isn’t an option, use a razor like the Schick Intuition that has the soap built in. Not sure what your current routine is but it just removes the step of applying shaving cream. I’d also consider a shave oil like the one by Tree Hut. It’s way quicker for me!
Agreed with doing skincare in the shower. How many skincare products are you applying in the morning? Can you do a longer nighttime routine that way in the morning your just doing moisturizer + spf?
For makeup opt for something like a skin tint or tinted moisturizer that you can quickly apply with your hands. And in general I think the type of applicator makes a big difference. Try a stick bronzer and stick blush for example, a stick eyeshadow or cream eyeshadow. You could even throw those in your purse and do them in the car (if you’re not driving) or in the bathroom at work quickly

I’m also curious how you’re storing your makeup. Is it all in a makeup bag? Or do you have a dedicated drawer or cabinet for it? I use drawer organizers for mine and it makes cleanup much faster, easier to find what I’m looking for, etc.

Also agree with looking into heatless curls - a lot of the methods will have you waking up with your hair slightly damp, so you wouldn’t have to worry about oil building up yet
Look into powder dry shampoo. It shouldn’t hang in the air or make a mess if you’re careful when applying it. You could stand in the shower or tub too when you do it and just turn the water on to rinse it out when you’re done. I had a roommate in college who use baby powder as dry shampoo. Idk if it’s good/bad for your hair, but it’s an alternative to aerosol

Honestly I don’t think it’s realistic to do all of these steps in under 30 minutes. Maybe 30-45, but you would be a superwoman to get it done in less than 30. It’s great that you are looking for ways to improve, but I also think you may need to meet in the middle

ArkNemesis00 · 2023-11-03T18:06:17+00:00

Hey OP, I want to recap here.

The proposed solution this thread has come up with that you're most interested in are:

Trying a new type of shampoo that will help your hair be less oily
Trying a new type of dry shampoo that isn't aerosol/won't leave a film
Trying laser hair removal
Trying an all-in-one razor

You have also suggested you might move out of the master bedroom during the weeknights.

I think this is a pretty good list. A couple things I'd like to add are trying to do things like shaving the night before so that your shower in the morning can be brief and focus on hair. I've done laser hair at-home before and it takes awhile to see progress, hair thins and lightens steadily over time. If you quit before the process is done (2 years ish), your hair will slowly return to normal.

I think with your clothes being so streamlined and your make-up minimal, it sounds possible to hit 30 minutes. Start playing music quietly or check your phone frequently to track how long each process takes you. Then you can see where to trim the fat.

And if you ever feel like you're being stretched a bit too thin, there's a chapter on this in the Empowered Wife book from Laura Doyle. You simply say "I can't." If pressed, you say "I just can't". She talks more about this in the book, YMMV, but it can be a gentle way of refusing without putting him on the defensive. Good luck!!

Astroviridae · 2023-11-01T13:19:58+00:00

Take a 4 minute shower. Wash and prep your hair at night. I've seen people do overnight, heatless curls on tiktok. Simplify your makeup routine down to brass tacks (5 or less products).

Alternatively, you can get him a white noise machine to drown out the sound of you getting out of bed.

StunningSort3082 · 2023-11-01T13:52:24+00:00

[permanently deleted]

hangun_ · 2023-11-02T13:29:06+00:00

Can you shower at night instead?

CranberrySoftServe · 2023-11-01T20:14:42+00:00

An hour seems like a long time to get ready, even with distractions. May I ask if your husband wants you to look the same way, but take less time, or is it just about the time spent? I wonder if maybe this is a way of indirectly saying that he wants you to be less “done up” every day. Many men don’t want their wives to wear a lot of makeup, for example, and it can sometimes concern men when their wives “dress up” for work, since it can come off as peacocking/trying to impress people at work with looks instead of talent.

AutoModerator · 2023-11-01T12:57:06+00:00

Title: Tips for getting ready quickly

Author StunningSort3082

Full text: My husband has asked me to simplify my morning routine, so I can get ready in less than 30 minutes. Currently, it takes me a little over an hour to shower, dry and style my hair, apply makeup and get dressed.

I’ve tried getting up earlier so I’m all ready by the time my husband gets up, but the noise of me getting out of bed wakes him up. I think he wants me to be able to get up at the same time as him, and get ready in 30 minutes or less, so I’m done before our kids get up and I am free to get them ready while he leaves for work early.

He has told me that he doesn’t want me to use dry shampoo, because he doesn’t like that it leaves dust/film in the bathroom and he just generally doesn’t want it in the air in our home. I asked about spraying it outside, but that doesn’t appear to be a solution, so a daily shower will be a must for my hair and skin type.

My job requires me to dress business professional and to be very put together on a daily basis.

Any tips for getting through a shower, hair, makeup and into a suit in less than 30 minutes?

Thank you!

^{This is the original text of the post and this is an automated service}

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

AutoModerator · 2023-11-01T12:57:06+00:00

Thank you for posting to RPW. Here are a couple reminders:

If you are seeking relationship advice. Make sure you are answering the guidelines for asking for advice on the rules page
Do not delete your post once you have your answers. Others may have the same question!
You must participate in your own post. If you put up a post and disapear, it will be removed.
We are not here for non-participants to study us. If you are writing a paper or just curious, read our sidebar and wiki and old posts.
Men are not allowed to ask questions and generally discouraged from participating unless they are older, partnered and have Red Pill experience.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

LivelyLychee · 2023-11-01T16:03:37+00:00

[permanently deleted]

flower_power_g1rl · 2023-11-02T10:48:11+00:00

Makeup - I got my eyebrows microbladed, and I do high frequency treatments for my skin. Those save the most time in my makeup routine. You literally won't need foundation or to draw your brows. A tinted sunscreen is a 2 in 1. In the morning, after I do my outfits I choose a lipstick then smudge it on my cheeks as blush. Curl your lashes and apply mascara and you have a full face.

Outfit- choose the night before.

Accessories/jewellery - wear before makeup. That way, you might see that sometimes the bling is enough to compliment your skin and you won't need as much makeup as you originally planned to wear.

Hair - I rub cream over my hair then style it with my hands. This makes it shiny. You'll find that fancy hairstyles don't really matter. It's more about the quality of your hair.

Realistic_Course_102 · 2023-11-02T12:26:36+00:00

Simplify your routine by choosing an easy hairdo, using little makeup, and getting your clothing and other items ready the night before if you want to get dressed fast in the morning. Using time-saving skincare products and taking efficient showers can help you get ready in less than half an hour.

No-Contribution797 · 2023-11-07T20:56:19+00:00

I can’t imagine any man telling me to not use dry shampoo. I absolutely love dry shampoo

Title	Tips for getting ready quickly
Author	StunningSort3082
Upvotes	9
Comments	81
Date	November 1, 2023 12:57 PM UTC (2 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/RedPillWomen
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/RedPillWomen/comments/17lbidz/tips_for_getting_ready_quickly/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/RedPillWomen/tips-for-getting-ready-quickly.1236987 https://theredarchive.com/post/1236987

Comments