How to be a yummy mummy on a budget

Small thing, huge difference

Few of us can complete with Elle Macpherson on the school run, but we can take care of the little things that make such a difference.

'It's the simple things that make a mum feel yummier,' says Liz Fraser, author of The Yummy Mummy's Survival Guide (Harper Collins). 'It can be as easy as dabbing on a little lip gloss and slipping on a pair of pumps before leaving the house.'

It helps, of course, if those favourite pumps aren't buried beneath a pile of muddy trainers and wellies (note to self: store beloved footwear in your bedroom, not the free-for-all porch).

Love low-maintenance hair

A yummy mummy haircut is one that looks amazing with minimum fuss after washing (we assume a quick blast of the dryer is the most you can manage on school mornings).

A bob or short crop is virtually hassle-free, and a fringe can take years off you. If you prefer a longer style, make sure it looks just as good tied back in a chic ponytail - your hairdresser should take your hectic lifestyle into account when discussing your cut.

Not sure whether to style with gel, wax, putty or spray? Join 'get the look', Guardian beauty columnist Sali Hughes' cult Facebook group, for tips on the latest hero products for hair and face.

Cheap and chic  

Now, more than ever, effective products needn't cause a credit card wobble. At a purse-friendly £2.49, Waitrose's Baby Bottom Butter has legions of fans who use it as face cream, and Max Factor's False Lash Effect Mascara (£10.99) is a modern classic.

And don't underestimate the boosting power of a slick of lipgloss - especially as it's the usually the cheapest item in our make-up bags, according by a study by deodorant company Bionsen.

Soap & Glory's Sexy Motherpucker Lip Gloss, £8, is a treat, but a hit with make-up artists. Or try Kate Winslet's fave, The Body Shop's Lip Butter at just £4.

The different sides of you

When motherhood consists of an almighty juggling act, it makes sense to compartmentalise your life. Separating the mummy and non-mummy sections of your wardrobe ensures that, when you want to ramp up the glamour, you don't first have to fight your way through piles of T-shirts and jeans.

'I rarely get a chance to slip on a dress and heels,' says mum of three Tina, 34, 'but it's nice to know they're there, pressed and polished and ready to go, if the occasion arises. It also acts as a reminder that, beneath the daily chaos, the old, party-loving me still exists.'

Streamline your kit

Time spent separating your daily essentials from your vast make-up hoard makes getting ready so much speedier (the average woman owns a whopping 54 items of make-up, according to the Bionsen study).

Store your favourites out of reach from little hands, too - it's heartbreaking to discover your daughter mashing up your Chanel lipstick.

As kids are often fascinated with our grooming routines, why not let her play with a few budget items you've grown tired of instead?

Look after number one

When we're bombarded by pictures of celebs who've somehow shifted the baby weight by the time the umbilical cord's been cut, it's hardly surprising that many of us have shaky self esteem.

Sleep deprivation, not to mention glimpsing paparazzi shots of Claudia Schiffer on the school run, can make us feel decidedly un-yummy.

Remind yourself that every mum has confidence crises: 'I found the first few months really hard,' admits Denise van Outen, mum to toddler Betsy. 'I'd see other mums looking like it was all coming so naturally and I was still in a state of shock.'

So go easy on yourself, and negotiate with your partner to grab a little me-time every day to bring some balance back into your life. 

Back to basics

It may not make your heart flutter in the way that a new lipstick does, but organising your basic day-to-day wardrobe takes the hassle out of getting ready in the morning.

After all, nothing feel less yummy than plucking yesterday's top from the laundry basket. That means ensuring you're well stocked with basics (jeans, T-shirts and long-sleeved tops, plus comfy, well-fitting underwear).

Whether it's a denim skirt plus chic top and cardi, or flattering jeans and snug sweater, adopting a 'mummy uniform' ensures that you always look fabulous, without even having to think.

Do not disturb...

While a speedy shower might be more practical on school day, try to grab the time for a luxurious, leisurely soak at least once a week.

'Even when my children were babies, I treated my weekly soak and pamper session as my own little sanity saver,' says Jenny, 45, whose children are now 10, 12 and 15.

'If my legs and underarms were smooth, and my toenails trimmed and polished, I felt more in control of other areas of my life.'

Work your body beautiful

It can be tough finding the time to invest in yourself. Mothers tend to exercise less - and eat more sugary and fatty foods - than those without children, according to a University of Minnesota study.

Instead of berating yourself for never getting to the gym, figure out how to slot exercise into your everyday life. 'I'm a big fan of power walking,' says Dannii Minogue, while Liz Hurley, who describes exercising as 'loathsome', says a daily 30-minute walk, plus running around with son Damian, keeps her trim.

As for those bikini-clad photoshoots? It seems even the yummiest mummies aren't averse to cheating: 'I just rely on retouching and lots of fake tan,' she admits.