Woman Finds Inspired Way to Pass Time During Labour

Babies take an awfully long time to hatch. So what's a mama-to-be to do in between all those excruciating contractions? Well, you could do your makeup.

Photos of a 27-year-old New Yorker who donned her 'war paint' during labour have gone viral.

 

Hello beautiful people, first off, thank you for the love on my latest instagram posts that featured me doing my makeup during labor. As promised, below is a FULL list of makeup details! I have received THOUSANDS of comments and messages as to what primer and setting spray I used and you will find all that down below. Love you guys and thank you for your endless support! I now some were laughing because I said I only took "some of my favorite products" and as you can clearly see from the pics and the details below... It's a ton of makeup! Lol however, this statement was based solely on the fact that I had SO much makeup to choose from and I narrowed it down to only my favorite things that I knew would hold up through all the tears and emotions! Product breakdown: @brian_champagne hydraplex serum to prep my face for a smooth finish @benefitcosmetics "porefessional" face primer and "stay don't stray" eyeshadow primer @marcbeauty re(Marc)able foundation @lauramercier translucent setting powder to bake @lagirlcosmetics beautiful bronze and creamy beige proconceal to highlight and contour @anastasiabeverlyhills contour kit to set @motivescosmetics blush from the blush/bronzing duo @thebalm_cosmetics "Mary loumanizer" highlighter paired with @gerardcosmetics "star powder" highlighter in "Audrey" @toofaced "better than sex" WATERPROOF mascara (stayed intact through all the tears!) Huda beauty mink lashes in "Sophia" Morphebrushes 35O eyeshadow palette @sigmabeauty brilliant/spellbinding eyeshadow palette @eyekandycosmetics glitter in "candy coin" dabbed lightly on the lid using their "liquid sugar" @tartecosmetics "waterproof clay pot liner" (also stayed perfectly intact) for the wing as well as the waterline. @anastasiabeverlyhills dipbrow pomade in soft brown (completely smudge proof and water proof) @jeffreestarcosmetics liquid velour lipsticks in "celebrity skin" paired with @doseofcolors liquid lipstick in "sand" Tools are posted in the comments section: beauty blender, royallangnickel, luxie beauty, and Mikasa brushes

A photo posted by @makeupbyalaha on Mar 17, 2016 at 7:49am PDT

Alaha Karimi is a makeup artist, so putting on her face was less about wanting to look snazzy for the afterbirth photos and more about finding a means to distract her from the agonies of childbirth.

"I was Googling ways to overcome the pain, because it was just unbearable, and one of the suggestions was to put on some music and do something you love - so that's what I did," Karimi said.

Her sister posted the pics on Instagram - to mixed reviews. While some commended her mastery of the brush, others knocked her for being vain. 

"Some said I'm putting my looks before my baby's health, but in reality, anyone who's been through labour knows that it's just a waiting game," said Karimi, who got her doctor's approval before bringing out her supplies. 

"There was nothing I could do." 

She's absolutely right. Whether it's colouring or knitting reading or doing your nails or whatever, it's a brilliant idea for women to get stuck into an activity during the early phases of labour. Not only will doing something you love help pass the time, but it will probably keep you calm, too - a definite plus, as stress can intensify labour pains. 

Personally it was a struggle just flicking through Psychology Today during my own labour. 

The woman's skill is impressive. To be fair, makeup is not my thing. And if I had tried to apply anything, I'd have wound up wearing lipstick on my chin.  

Congrats to Karimi, who eventually - looking gorgeous - gave birth to her first child, a daughter.  

 RELATED: Secrets for Surviving A 5-Day Labour