One of the most nerve-wracking things most moms deal with after they find out they are pregnant is whether or not normal items they commonly use are safe for their baby. It's easy to find a plethora of information on the safety of alcohol, tobacco, and certain foods, and whether one should avoid them while pregnant, yet if you ask the same hard questions about makeup, skincare, and other cosmetic products, you'll likely be greeted with a deafening silence. Or, at best, a lecture on certain ingredients and the phrase that solves everything: "Ask your doctor!" Listen, hot mama, I understand your frustration. I went through the same thing when I was pregnant with my son, and, so, I've decided to put together a common sense shopping guide of the best low-risk products that actually work for pregnant hot mamas who don't want to check their style makeup compact at the door. It will get messy: Names will be named, lipsticks' dark innards will be revealed, and your favorite product might not make the cut, but by the end of this post, you should have a better idea of what products are truly safe and effective.
A HOT MAMA FACE:
Safe Foundation:
Good:* L'oréal Bare Naturale Foundation (6.2 stars)
Better:** MAC Studio Fix (9.2 stars), Tarte Smooth Operator SPF 20 (8.6 stars), Smashbox Photo Finish Light Foundation Primer (8.6 stars), Neutrogena Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup (7.6 stars)
Best:*** L'Oreal Paris Ideal Balance QuickStick Balancing Foundation for Combination Skin (9.3 stars), Peter Thomas Roth Instant Mineral, SPF 30 (8.5 stars) DermaBlend Smooth Indulgence Foundation or Cover Cream (8.1 stars)
Safe Concealer:
Good: NARS Concealer (8 stars), Laura Mercier Secret Concealer (7 stars), Maybelline New York Cover Stick Corrector Concealer (7.4 stars)
Better: Dermablend Quick Fix Concealer or Cover Cream (8.5 stars), L'Oreal Paris Bare Naturale Gentle Mineral Concealer (6.5 stars), Burt's Bees Concealing Cream (no review available)
Best: Cover Girl Smoothers Concealer (8.6 stars), Physicians Formula Concealer Twins 2-in-1 Correct and Cover Cream (no review available)
Safe Blush/Bronzer:
Good: e.l.f. All Over Color Stick (10 stars), Laura Mercier Illuminating Stick (no review available)
Better: Becca Cream Blush, (9.7 stars), Jane Iredale 24-karat gold (also comes in colors that make it a good stand-in for eye shadow, or as liner when applied with a wet liner brush) Total Beauty readers give it 9.5 stars)
