Lauren Gores Ireland is the co-founder of Summer Fridays and a lifestyle blogger who shares her love for skincare, wellness and motherhood daily. The buzz-worthy beauty brand Summer Fridays was started when Lauren and blogger Marianna Hewitt were inspired to keep the list of ingredients that went on their bodies short and sweet–especially important to Lauren, as she was pregnant at the time. They set out to create products that were clean, yet provided results, and the extremely popular Jet Lag Mask and Overtime Mask were born. Nowadays, as mother to one-year-old Evan Grey, Lauren is often sharing her #momlife tips and tricks — from how to squeeze in a quick set of squats while pushing the stroller, to the best baby-safe products, to her personal stories on navigating her new life as a working mom. Below, this busy boss tells us how she unwinds after a long day. 
5 P.M. Park date with my boy! We pack fun snacks (oatmeal-cashew butter balls + apple slices) and indulge in some family time. I usually go in workout clothes, so I can (attempt) to squeeze in a light workout while we are out — #MOMLIFE hack: I do squats and leg lifts while pushing the stroller! (example here)
6 P.M. Prepping dinner for my little one — I admittedly snack on his mac n’ cheese or PB&J! I also make a #fab4smoothie (from my nutritionist Kelly LeVeque) with tera’s whey protein powder, chia seeds, almond butter, blueberries and greens. My baby always has a few sips too! It feels like family meal time, even though my hubby and I will eat together after our babe is down!
7 P.M. My hubby is also a chef extraordinaire and oftentimes makes dinner. Current favorite? Warm zucchini Bolognese! It feels like I’m indulging in my fav Italian meal minus the carbs (but I usually offset that with a glass of #momlife red wine). 😉
 8 P.M. Time to take off my makeup and indulge in some solo self-care time!

  • Step 1: Caudalie Foaming Face Wash – it’s a clean cleanser that still gets off all the dirt! 
  • Step 2: Summer Fridays Overtime Mask – I massage it into my skin, and then let it stay on for about 10 minutes – in the meantime, I catch up on emails that came in late in the day. After the mask settles in, I rinse it off with warm water.
  • Step 3: I’m always testing new formulas as potential future products! Typically Marianna and I like to test a new product for several weeks before making tweaks, and we often go back and forth with our lab over several months, to make our formulas the absolute best! 
  • Step 4: I apply a thick layer of our Summer Fridays Jet Lag mask, especially putting a lot under my eyes. I keep this on overnight and do not rinse it off until the morning. It erases some of that sleepiness and allows me to wake up with really hydrated skin (AKA, that natural GLOW)!

8:30 P.M. Slip into my favorite PJs. I try to spend a little time away from my phone, to catch up with my hubby. Sip on magnesium tea– which has been really helpful for easing my headaches. I also love applying a little lavender or peppermint oil to my temples, which calms my mind + body before bed.
9 P.M. I try to stretch during this time because I’ve noticed even 5-10 minutes of light yoga before bed makes me sleep a lot deeper. Hop into bed after and turn on our favorite show.
10 P.M. Lights out! Fingers crossed my baby sleeps through the night!