How To Look More Awake In 8 Steps

FACT: I’m a terrible sleeper.

I think the last time I got a good 8 hours of solid, undisturbed sleep was when I was 15 years old. If I knew I would never sleep well again for the next 15+ years, I probably would have made a point to cherish that night of amazing sleep, but hindsight is 20-20.

But on a brighter note, losing hours of sleep over the years has helped me become pretty good at making myself look more awake and in this post I’ll be sharing my tips on how I look alive and the products I’ve been using to do this.

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1. Use A Good Eye Cream or Eye Patches

The debate rages on; do you really need a separate moisturizer for your eyes? In my opinion, yes! The under eye area is very delicate and the skin there is thinner than on the rest of your face, so having a dedicated eye cream will treat this area better than a regular moisturizer and also help prevent pesky milia.

In addition, many eye creams are made to de-puff and brighten the under eye area, while eye creams with retinol can also help reduce the look of fine lines. Lately, I’ve been using Eysilix II from Indeed Laboratories as my nighttime eye cream. Eysilix is formulated with peptides, ceramides, extracts and probiotics to reduce all the issues I’ve listed above. It’s affordable and it’s definitely helped make my eyes look smoother and more rested.

In the morning, I rely on the Dr. Brandt No More Baggage Eye De-Puffing Gel. It’s a lightweight, orange-tinted gel-cream formulated to de-puff and brighten the eye area and has a lovely cooling sensation once applied. If you want a more affordable option, the Inkey List’s Caffeine Eye Cream is amazing! If you have a bit of time, I would also recommend applying a cool, hydrating eye patch. Eye patches infuse the eye area with hydration to plump the area, which reduces puffiness and fine lines for a more rested look in about 10-15 minutes!

RELATED READING: These PTR Cucumber De-Tox Hydra-Gel Eye Patches Are A Must For The Sleep Deprived

2. Brightening Concealer

What “fake awake” blog post doesn’t recommend a brightening concealer? Concealer is a must-have if you suffer from dark under-eye circles or bags/puffiness that create a bit of shadow under the eyes.

Applying a concealer under your eye that is a shade or two lighter than your natural skin tone will help cover darkness and give you that “I’ve slept for 12 hours” look everyone is after but only a lucky few actually achieve. Lately, I’ve come back to my Ready, Set, Gorgeous Concealer from CoverGirl. It’s hydrating enough for my dry under eyes and never creases once set. Blends like a dream too! Provides medium coverage. The Catrice Camouflage Concealer and the e.l.f. Cosmetics 16HR Camo Concealer are also great drugstore concealer options.

 

3. Consider Colour-Correcting Concealer

I only get a bit of darkness on the inner corner of my eyes, but if you suffer from very dark under eye circles, a colour-correcting concealer might be in order. Colour-correcting concealers are meant to neutralize tones in your skin tone that keep you from achieving an even complexion.

Below you can find which colour-corrector is best for you:

• Pale Pink – covers blue-toned areas on pale skin tones
• Peach – neutralizes blue/purple spots on medium skin tones
• Orangy-Pink – covers dark spots on darker skin tones
• Yellow – conceals purple tones

Colour-correcting concealers are applied before your foundation. You will need to add some foundation on top to conceal the look of the colour corrector.

RELATED READING: How To Use A Colour Correcting Concealer

4. Add A Pinch Of Blush

Bringing a bit of colour into your cheeks is a great way to look fresh and awake when you’re feeling anything but. For a natural looking flush of colour that blends in a jiff, I would recommend a cream or liquid blush like the e.l.f. Putty Blushes or the Rare Beauty blushes for I-just-went-jogging kind of colour for your cheeks.

RELATED READING: The Best Drugstore Cream & Liquid Blushes

 

5. Use Facial Massage To De-Puff

Facial massage is great for stimulating blood flow under the skin for a healthy glow and can also help reduce facial puffiness by promoting lymphatic drainage.

You can use your fingers, a jade roller or my favourite gold pulsing facial massager to de-puff and get your glow on after a lacklustre night of sleep and it’s also a super relaxing way to wake yourself up!

6. Apply A Good Defining, Lengthening Mascara

Lengthening mascara is a must for the days when you can barely get your peepers to open. Longer looking lashes give the illusion that your eyes are larger and more open and is a quick fix for droopy lids. I love Avon’s Love At First Lash Mascara for great length and volume, as well as the Monsieur Big Mascara by Lancome.

7. A Light, Shimmery Eye Shadow

A full eye look isn’t always possible when you’re running on fumes, but adding a bit of shimmer is a quick and easy way to brighten up your eyes. Be sure to focus the shimmer on the centre of the lid for maximum brightness.

My go-to shimmer lately has been the e.l.f. Cosmetics Aqua Molten Eye Shadow in “Rose Gold”; it’s easy to apply and leaves a gorgeous sheen to my lids that lasts all day.

 

8. Drink Lots Of Water ASAP

If you feel awake, you will naturally look more awake. To quickly wake myself up when I’m feeling fatigued, I down a glass or two of water. It’s important to re-hydrate your body after waking up and drinking a good amount of water can sometimes be way more effective than caffeine at getting the gears turning again.

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How do you look more awake?