Mom fires back after being judged for appearance: ‘Since when did looks define good parenting?’

A mom of two took to TikTok with an important PSA: Moms deserve respect—regardless of how they look.

Emma Hutton, 35, a nail technician from England, loves wearing a full face of makeup and styling her hair daily. But that simple choice has sparked judgment from other moms who assume that spending time on her appearance means she’s not prioritizing her kids.

Her viral TikTok (@emloublogger), which now has over 33,500 views, calls out the unfair assumption that a mom’s looks define her parenting. In the video, Hutton responds to a post she saw where a woman dismissed “one of those moms with a full face of makeup and perfectly curled hair.” Her message? Moms should support each other—not tear each other down.

Why do moms face so much judgement over their looks?

Hutton believes moms who take time for themselves often face unnecessary criticism. “I think we get judged because people may think we’re spending hours on our appearance instead of spending time with our children. Or maybe they are in awe that we’ve had time to do it,” she told Newsweek.

But that assumption couldn’t be further from the truth.

Hutton wakes up at 5:30 a.m., an hour before her 14-month-old daughter wakes up so she can get ready. “I set my alarm purposely so I can have an hour of ‘me time’ in the morning because I know if I look my best, I will then feel my best,” she explained.

Her point is simple: Taking care of yourself doesn’t make you a bad mom. “I have always worn makeup and cared about my appearance, so I don’t think that should change just because I’m now a mom.”

Related: There’s no right way to mom—let’s stop the shame

“Since when do looks define good parenting?”

Hutton’s video challenges a common double standard: If a mom takes time for herself, people assume she’s not prioritizing her children.

“I believe every mom should be able to take time out from busy mom life to spend a bit of time on whatever makes her feel good,” she said.

Hutton also clarifies that she doesn’t judge moms who choose not to wear makeup. “I would never judge a mom who doesn’t wear makeup, so I don’t see why the moms who wear it are being judged.”

She closes her video by asking an important question: does not doing hair and makeup somehow make someone a better mom?

Related: “But who’s watching the kids?” Why it’s time to retire this question forever

Moms show their support

Hutton’s message struck a chord with many moms, who took to the comments to share their support:

• @Mumzilla

  wrote, “I hate ‘ooo where you going?’ Nowhere, love! I just like to wear makeup!!!”

• @hippygirl222 said, “I’m both, depends on what mood I’m in, I’m good either way. But I love makeup, definitely feel better when I look fab!”

• @AshLeigh

  commented, “I’m this mum! There’s nothing wrong with wanting to feel good and put together.”

• @Mary

  wrote, “Just stop judging mums regardless.”

Hutton couldn’t agree more—because, at the end of the day, whether a mom wears makeup has nothing to do with how good of a parent she is.

Why moms need time for themselves

Taking time for yourself as a mom isn’t selfish—it’s necessary. A survey by BabyCenter found that women spent an average of 41 minutes getting ready each day before having kids. After motherhood, that number dropped to just 25 minutes.

Losing that personal time matters. Studies show that when moms prioritize self-care, they experience lower stress levels and improved mental health. Whether it’s makeup, reading, working out, or just enjoying a quiet cup of coffee, these small moments help moms feel more like themselves.

Moms are often judged for taking time for themselves, but the truth is, these moments are essential for their mental well-being. Taking care of yourself is not selfish—it’s a necessary part of being a good parent.

And as Hutton’s video proves, self-care should be celebrated—not judged.