If you’re a parent, or just permanently time-starved, getting ready for a wedding can feel like an Olympic sport you didn’t train for. This month I’ve been invited to a February wedding with a black, white and red theme. It’s Valentine’s themed, it’s a family wedding, and my children have been invited too, so I’m not just getting myself ready; I’m also finding time to dress them.
And because life loves a plot twist, my teen doesn’t want to go either. So yes, it’s going to be extra stressful.
That said, I’m sharing my tips here because I know I’m not the only one who finds big events overwhelming when the kids need you. I’m also treating this as a little trial run of the flow of the day, so when the actual wedding day arrives, I’m not reinventing the wheel while someone asks for a snack and someone else can’t find their other shoe.
Real talk, I can be halfway through skincare, and someone needs a snack, a missing shoe appears out of nowhere, and the dog decides now is the time to bark at thin air. So this is my ‘parent edition’ GRWM, built around products that do the heavy lifting, a hair routine that’s genuinely fool-proof, and makeup choices that won’t smudge the minute you’re hugging relatives.
My outfit is simple because my brain is already full. I’m wearing a Very Collection black dress, and black velvet flat pointy flats (because I’m driving and I can’t do heels anymore.) For the red theme, I’m going with a red lip that actually survives real life. More on that below…
The mindset shift that makes this easier
I used to think I needed more steps to look ‘done’. Now I aim for skin that looks healthy, so I need less base, hair with volume so I look instantly put-together, and one statement detail. For me, that’s a long-wear red lip.
I also build everything around the fact that I’ll be interrupted approximately 400 times.
My stress-free game plan (25 to 35 minutes, including interruptions)
This is the order I follow because it’s easy to pause and restart.
First, I freshen up. Then I do skincare prep, because it’s the foundation of everything. Next comes a quick base and eyes that won’t smudge. After that, I do fool-proof volume hair, and finally, I add the red lip and get dressed.
If you have time, do skincare earlier in the day, even mid-morning. It makes the get-ready feel so much less intense.
Step 1: Skincare first (because it makes makeup faster)
I know it’s tempting to skip skincare when you’re rushing, but honestly, good skincare equals good makeup. When your skin is hydrated and calm, your base goes on quicker, sits better, and you spend way less time trying to fix patchy bits.
I’ve been reaching for Beauty of Joseon skincare from Very.co.uk because it’s an easy way to get that hydrated, bouncy base that makes everything else feel more low-effort.
My 6 to 8 minute skin prep
I start witha double cleanse, then the Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Essence Water Toner. This is the step that makes my skin feel instantly less tight and more awake.
Parent hack, I keep toner and serum together so I’m not rummaging through drawers while someone yells MUM from the hallway.
Next is the Beauty of Joseon Calming Serum (Green Tea + Panthenol). If my skin is feeling stressed, this is the step that helps everything look smoother.
Another parent hack. If you’re interrupted, don’t panic and pile on more product when you come back. Just carry on as normal; your face doesn’t need to be marinated.
If it’s daytime, or you’re travelling in daylight, I finish with SPF. I’ve been using the Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Moist Sun Serum SPF50+ because it feels like skincare, not a chalky sunscreen. And it’s so light!
Step 2: Makeup that looks fresh
This is not the day for experimenting. I go for fresh, awake, and lasts through hugs, photos and canapés.
Next is a light, glowy, forgiving base
If I want a little extra glow without a full face, I use Lush Feeling Younger Skin Tint on the high points, cheekbones, a touch on the bridge of the nose. It’s one of those products that makes you look like you slept, even if you didn’t.
No mascara, no smudges
One of my favourite hacks is brown wing underlash falsies (I use the Bonded Lashes Brown Wing), and then I ditch mascara completely. No mascara means nothing smudging under my eyes when you’re hot, flustered, or wiping someone else’s face.
If you’ve never tried underlash clusters, do a practice run on a normal day first. Not 20 minutes before you need to leave.
The red lip that survives a wedding meal
For the Valentine’s theme, I’m going red, but I need it to last through eating and drinking without ending up all over my face.
I’ve been using Wonderskin lip stain. It stays for a few hours and doesn’t smudge the same way a creamy lipstick can. Just make sure you do a lip scrub before you apply it, as it does tend to gather in the dry bits!
My jewellery hack – always be sparkling!
I wear jewellery all the time, so I don’t have to chop and change it. It’s genuinely one of the easiest ways to look done even in a simple black dress. My everyday favourite is my Monica Vinader heart locket. It feels special, but it’s still me.
Step 3: Fool-proof volume hair
Hair is the bit that makes me feel instantly polished, but it’s also the bit I used to avoid because I thought it would take ages. The trick is you don’t need perfection; you need lift at the roots and a smooth finish.
My go-to tool for this is the ghd Rise hot brush.
The ‘I’m not a hair pro’ routine (8 to 12 minutes)
Before you start, make sure your hair is fully dry. GHD hot brush plus damp hair equals frustration. Brush through quickly, and add a light heat protectant, then some styling spray or mousse.
Now section your hair into two. Top half and bottom half, clip the top.
I started with the front and lower half, but my hair is quite short, so I just wanted to smooth and volumise this part with the hot brush.
Then the crown, this is the volume zone. Take a small section, place the brush at the roots, and hold for a couple of seconds to build lift. Then lift and roll slightly away from the scalp. Think up and away, not curl. I did bend and curl a few of the longer top pieces so I could get a bit of movement going.
Next, glide through the mid-lengths to ends with a bit of tension, then give a small turn at the ends for a soft bend.
Then let everything cool, even 30 to 60 seconds helps the shape hold.
I redid the front pieces again so they looked freshest and framed my face.
Two mistakes that flatten everything. Taking sections that are too big and rushing the roots. Smaller sections equal more lift, and the roots are where the volume lives.
Parent hack, I always aim to finish hair at least 30 minutes before we need to leave. That’s when someone suddenly needs the toilet or can’t find their coat. If I’m already done, I’m calmer, and I don’t end up yanking a boiling hot brush through my hair in a rage.
Getting ready tips for parents that genuinely help
- Lay out your outfit and shoes the night before. Decision fatigue is real, especially when you’re rushing and feeling overwhelmed.
- Keep your routine pause-friendly, skincare, then base, then hair.
- Choose one wow element. For me, it’s always voluminous hair and a red lip.
- Wear jewellery you already love so you’re instantly dressed up.
- Aim for polished enough, not perfection.
Ready to party!
If you’re heading to a wedding, especially a themed one, and you’re short on time, you don’t need a 90-minute glam session to look put-together. A hydrated base, fool-proof volume hair, and a red lip that won’t betray you mid-dinner will get you there.
Last Updated on February 13, 2026 by Lucy
