new moms

When you first have a baby, it's hard not to get swept up in the joy and excitement, and going overboard on purchases is usually a given. Granted, there are many items your baby doesn't really need, but there are a handful of products that are best to buy new. Here's what you should refrain from borrowing, or from buying used or secondhand to keep your baby happy, healthy, and most of all, safe!

1. Car Seats: I know a car seat may be the last thing you want to buy new for your baby, but here's why you should: car-seat designs are constantly changing and evolving. Older car seats may have been recalled (many are), or maybe it was in a crash or has missing parts. Even if a secondhand car seat looks perfectly fine, you don't want to take the chance and put the safety of your baby in jeopardy.

Here's what else you should always buy new.

Hair loss is the pain after pregnancy! It often occurs in the months after a new mama's hormones adjust. From the clumps of hair found in the shower drain to the baby wisps that sprout up, mothers have much to deal with after delivery. We asked Paul Lebrecque from the eponymous salon for some tips in managing postpartum hair.

• Don't be afraid to keep hair long. Paul agrees that the 47 percent of LilSugar readers who have kept their hair long are making life easier. Long hair gives moms more options, including ponytails, chignons, and updos.
• Consider a Keratin treatment. The Brazilian straightening treatment makes blowouts fast and easy, lasts for up to three months, and is safe for use on nursing mothers. Paul does recommend that moms should pump and dump their first batch of milk the next day as a precaution.
• Keep popping prenatal vitamins. The same vitamins that give expectant mamas thick manes and strong nails can help combat hair loss. Paul tells his clients to stay on the pills for three months after their tots have weaned.

For more of Paul's tips, read more

It's like the first day of school all over again — only this time, you're an adult looking for a new friend. Even if mama has a gaggle of friends before giving birth, chances are she'll seek out other moms with tots once she enters motherhood. Spending time with moms who are experiencing the same baby milestones and setbacks makes the journey easier but requires some effort. I've rounded up some of my favorite ways to meet fellow moms.

• New mom exercise groups: Group exercise programs like Stroller Strides and boot camps help burn the weight and gather women in a central location.
• Pediatrician's office: Check the bulletin board in your doctor's office for new-mom playgroups. If there aren't any, post something yourself.
• Hospital birth clubs: You know that mom giving birth in the room next door to you? Her tot is the exact same age as yours. Many hospitals help coordinate "birth clubs," which bring new mamas and their tots together for parenting workshops and breastfeeding support.
• Playground visits: Your tot may not be old enough for the monkey bars yet, but a walk around the playground with your newborn may make you a magnet for other moms looking for some fresh air and friendship.
• Gym babysitting area: Mamas who turn to their gym's babysitting services while sweating away their weight already have something in common. Coordinate your babysitting/workout schedules and watch your friendship blossom.
• Mommy and me classes: Yes, baby yoga and newborn music classes are meant to stimulate your lil one, but they're also prime opportunities to befriend other new mamas who are feeling their way around the class.

How did you meet other mothers?

The pregnancy glow doesn't have to end after delivery! We asked Taymour, a makeup artist at Paul Labrecque salon in NYC, for some quick tips to faking a flawless face.

1. Concealer is your best friend. Taymour says Cle de Peau concealer's has the ability to cover dark, under-eye circles and serve as an eye shadow base. It is pricey at $68, but the stick works wonders.
2. Look luminous. Some new moms glow, and others need a nudge. The NARS Multiple Stick ($38) can be swiped on the cheeks, forehead, and lips for just the right amount of shimmer to achieve the healthy look. The creamy formula is easy to blend into the skin and a neutral color like Maldives works on almost everybody.
3. Keep eyes simple. The first days of motherhood can be emotional. Blinc's tubular waterproof mascara ($24) makes lashes look thicker and longer.
4. Pucker up. A beaming smile is accentuated with color. Taymour recommends a lip gloss like NARS' new Lip Fusion ($24) to create the illusion of full lips. Choosing a shade slightly darker than what you usually apply over your lipstick will allow the gloss to stand on its own.