I'm pretty much convinced at this point that instead of having "Resting Bitch Face," I have "Resting Sleepy Face" - I've got people telling me I look tired left and right. Coworkers, doctors, friends, strangers - I've heard it from everyone. I've been putting in a little more effort to try to not look so tired all the time, even though I usually am.
STEP ONE: BRIGHTEN THE SKIN
When I'm tired, it definitely shows in my skin. It gets really dull and almost gray looking, and it gets easily clogged and congested. When people start reacting to my face as if I'm Charlie Sheen in the police department in Ferris Bueller's Day Off, I know it's time to whip out the big guns. To instantly brighten and decongest the skin I look no further than the Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask (review). It really works to get rid of that dead, gray layer of skin and leave you bright and beaming. Afterwards I'll pile on a glow-inducing moisturizer to keep my skin looking perky. My absolute favorite is the Glossier Priming Moisturizer. It's glowy but not greasy and hydrating without being heavy. I also love using a luminous foundation - I haven't been able to get enough of the Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder Foundation lately. It keeps the skin looking glowy and healthy, and it doesn't get greasy on me. To further amp up that glow, I go for a cream highlight. I don't know how I'm not shining like the Tin Man at this point, but all these products can really create a nice clean, healthy look to the skin. My favorite cream highlights are the Glossier Haloscope in Quartz (review) and the Marc Jacobs Glow Stick Glistening Illuminator* (review) - I use the Glossier on days I want to look ultra-dewy and the Marc Jacobs when I'm wanting more of an icy golden sheen.
STEP TWO: COVER UP
In addition to my skin turning gray, my undereyes start looking mighty sad when I'm tired. I don't get so much of a blue tint, but rather they become quite shadowy. I've found that instead of using color correctors, using a highlighting/illuminating concealer really helps in that case. I first lay down a layer of the Glossier Stretch Concealer to actually cover up any darkness there, and then I go in with a thin layer of the L'Oreal Magic Lumi Highlighter. It really helps to bring those shadowy areas forward and brighten up the undereyes.
STEP THREE: OPEN UP THE EYES
Another way to keep the face looking awake is by opening up the eyes. I curl my eyelashes every single morning regardless of if I'll be wearing makeup, because it really does make such a difference. My curler of choice is the Tweezerman ProCurl, mostly because it's pretty and rose gold, but it does do a good job of curling the lashes and keeping them that way. On most days, I'll also put on some mascara. Two I've found that are magnificent for holding a curl are the Too Cool For School Dinoplatz Escalator Mascara and the Max Factor Masterpiece Max Mascara.* And as a plus, neither are waterproof but they still manage to hold a curl all day and also not smudge. I'd call that a win.
STEP FOUR: ADD SOME COLOR
I'm incredibly pale, so if I wear any base makeup, even something light, it's pretty much a given I'll have to add some color back into my complexion to avoid looking like a corpse. I'll usually choose between either between blush or bronzer - my cheeks can get rather flushed during the day, and having both products on just really seems to accentuate it. My bronzer of choice as of late has been the Urban Decay Beached Bronzer in Sun-Kissed. I haven't been able to shut up about this lately because it really is that good, and it gives the illusion that I've been out in the sun when actually I've been a hermit under a blanket on the couch. For blush I've been loving the Marc Jacobs Air Blush Soft Glow Duo* in Kink & Kisses. It's the perfect pink for everyday that adds just that right amount of brightness to the face. It really makes me look like I've gotten all my beauty sleep. I also like adding a brightening color to the lips - I normally go for matte neutrals, but on extra tired day is when I change it up. I love using bright colors in sheer formulas - it gives the lips a bitten or stained look that really perks up my face. My top favorites for this have been the Glossier Generation G in Jam (it really makes it look like you've been eating grape popsicles for hours) and the Jouer Moisturizing Lip Gloss* in Malibu (looks scary in the tube, but is really a beautiful wash of pink on the lips - I swatched it here).
What products do you reach for to perk up your face?
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*Some products mentioned have been sent to me for consideration, but all opinions are my own. See my disclaimer for more information.