PUSHING and panting, Raven Dixon-Biggs took a deep breath as the contractions swept through her.

Then – at 40 weeks pregnant and in active labour – she reached for her secret weapons… her favourite Nars foundation and Revolution lipstick.

“It gave me a sense of calm as I waited for my baby, my first child, to arrive,” she says.  

“Even at 6cm dilated, when other women are screaming in agony, I was topping up my powder.

“And whereas other mums pack hospital bags filled with muslins, baby grows and nipple cream, I jammed mine with a makeup sack overflowing with my favourite brands. 

“I carefully put it on the nightstand next to me and seeing it there – and being able to update my look during labour – filled me with a sense of deep calm. 

“Meanwhile, knowing my baby would see me looking great the first time we met gave me the confidence to enjoy labour.”

Customer account manager Raven, from Birmingham, spoke as Line of Duty actress Vicky McClure revealed she’d abandoned makeup entirely. 

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It’s not something the 27-year-old, now a single mum to 13-month-old Remington, who arrived weighing 7Ib 11oz at  Birmingham City Hospital after a five-and-a-half hour active labour following induction on December 1, 2020, could imagine doing.

“As he arrived into the world, I was wearing fake eyelashes, a £300 weave and extensions, mascara and stick-on-nails,” she says.

“It empowered me during the birth. It gave me something to think about other than the pain.

“My face full of makeup was my secret birthing weapon. I’m proud of myself and I won’t be criticised – even though I was given some weird looks by other mums.” 

Raven planned her ‘labour look’ in the months ahead of Remington’s arrival, saving up to buy her weave, having a pre-labour manicure and pedicure and eyebrow shaping.

For the delivery suite, she packed a glittery pink supersized suitcase with enough makeup, beauty products, masks, curlers, tongs and clothes for a two-week holiday. 

And she thinks more mums should make the effort to look glam for their newborns. 

“Full glam makeup and looking fabulous to welcome my newborn was all part of my birthing plan and I am not ashamed,” she says.  

“I think more mums should put in the effort to look good in the birthing room because it’s empowering. 

“Shaming a new mum about how she looked when or chose to look while giving birth is wrong,” she says.

“I wanted my son to meet his mum while she looked like a queen, not a crone.

“That’s what happened and there hasn’t been a day since that I haven’t found the time to put on my glam face, fake lashes, do my nails and dress properly. 

“Makeup has always been my armour and giving birth is a once or twice in a lifetime experience. I wanted to look amazing to welcome my first child.

“I realise people will troll me and have a go when they read this story, but I don’t care because my advice is sensible.

“I also know some mums in baby groups can be nasty if you look nice and dress up. I stood my ground and complained when I was made to not feel welcome because of what I looked like. You shouldn't be criticised if you dress up or dress down. I dress up to feel good. Mums should be so judgemental. I accept everyone. 

“I couldn't believe how nasty some could be and I want to learn from my experience.”

She says anyone who trolled her was ‘spoiling for a fight’.

“Shaming a new mum about how she looked when or chose to look while giving birth is wrong,” she says.

“Some mums have music soundtracks, others want a room filled with flowers or special lighting. I wanted full makeup and my top up kit nearby when I had my son.”

Still the birth wasn’t stress-free.

“I was worried my weave would slip or I’d lose my false eyelashes but in the end they didn’t move,” she says.

“That’s the true test of makeup. I recommend Revolution for labour.”

RAVEN’S HOSPITAL LOOK

• Hair curlers 
• Blow-dryer 
• Hair tongs  
• Face masks (cosmetic) 
• Hairdryer
• Foundation
• Contour
• Concealer
• Mascara 
• Eye shadow  (Nars, Maybelline and Revolution)
• Cleansing kit
• Highlighter 
• Extra stick on nails, various colours 
• Fake eyelashes  
• Heels to wear home
• Special post-birth outfit
• Outfits for two weeks.

And after Remington arrived she briefly slept before having a shower, changing into her post-birth outfit – a new celebratory River Island cardigan and Misguided leggings and top – and reapplying her makeup.

“I wanted to ensure I looked great after he woke up,” she says. “I felt just like Kate Middleton – she looked brilliant leaving the hospital after having her kids. 

“The photo of me and Remington hours after I gave birth when I’d reapplied my makeup and got dressed is one of my favourites. 

“Some mums in hospital gave me evil stares while the nurses complimented me on my post birth glow-up. 

“But a couple of the mums asked to borrow my lippy and mascara. I think they were inspired by me.”

Even now Raven won’t let standards slide.

“I never leave the house or even put out the bins without my glam on,” she says.  

“I even learnt to breastfeed while applying makeup. Now I wake up at 4am every day to give Remington his first feed. 

“While he sleeps, I have a shower and do my full face, including false eyelashes, contour and pickout my outfit for the day. 

“Remington has his second breakfast and then we are ready for the park or a mums’ group.” 

Raven admitted she does get nasty looks and is trolled for being so glam. “People think I’m either silly or a threat,” she says. “But I’d never show up at playgroup in a tee and joggers. Still, I don’t judge mums who do.”

Raven says her daily makeup and beauty routine means she gets less sleep but is important for her self-esteem. “My son is my focus and if I have to get up half-an-hour earlier, I do,” she says. “Making the effort has helped me cope with the stress of being a single mum. I spend around £30 a month on makeup and that’s usually Poundland kit, bargains I find online, eBay and samples.  

“I still make time for a manicure and to have my eyebrows done. It’s mummy time and Remington sleeps soundly while it happens. 

“If people don’t like it they can b****r off.”

For more real-life stories check out the women too beautiful to pay for things and always bag freebies.

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