Sorry, Chic Ain't Effortless 

That's true. Having a child means less sleep and more stress and both can stunt collagen production in skin. That depletion of collagen leads to more dark circles, fine lines and other pesky reasons to spackle on foundation and add blush. A few months ago, I resigned myself to the fact that I need coverage—the opaque kind, too. Now, I wear Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation every day. And when I see my reflection in my rearview mirror or a store window, I no longer shudder. I smile. And when I smile, I look prettier and better-rested.

This new regimen of effort extends to my personal style, which consists of attempting to look like I am never trying too hard while actually spending time on grooming and choosing outfits. (Getting dressed used to be a 30-second exercise of grabbing whatever was clean and within reach.) The aforementioned "effortless chic," a favorite saying among fashion editors and stylists, has become the most sought-after style. But I know now that no-effort style requires a lot more work after a certain age.