I’ve been getting up earlier and earlier lately - not only do I try to get in to work by 7am (and my commute is at least 40 minutes), but I also like having some spare time in the morning to sit with Olive while she’s sleepy and cuddly. So while I’m getting in more prime puppy cuddles, I’m also having to work a little harder to not look absolutely exhausted. I’ve found this quick 6-step routine always makes me look a little more bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.
Cooling/Depuffing Eye Cream
When I’m tired, it mostly shows in the puffiness of my eyes. I like layering a cooling and depuffing eye cream on before I start my makeup. Usually these are quite lightweight, so they work well underneath concealer. My favorite is the Belif Moisturizing Eye Bomb - it’s lightweight yet still creamy, and it works incredibly well at depuffing for me. I even find it helps to minimize dehydration lines under my eyes with just one use, so concealer applies more smoothly on top.
Undereye Corrector/Brightener
My biggest problem is puffiness rather than dark circles, but I do find my undereyes get a bit more shadowy when I’m tired. I like layering a lightweight brightener/corrector under my concealer to cancel out any darkness. I love the Ohii Wake Up Pen* in the shade Peach - it’s a sheer peachy tone that counteracts blue undereye circles, and it has a soft sheen that diffuses and reflects light, making the area look less dark. It has a thin consistency that blends into the skin easily and sits well underneath concealer.
Hydrating, Skinlike Concealer
There’s nothing worse than cakey undereyes when you’re trying to look more awake and alert. A hydrating and skinlike concealer will sit better on dryness and fine lines. Usually these formulas aren’t full coverage, but paired with the brightener/corrector, it shouldn’t be a problem. I really like the First Aid Beauty Bendy Avocado Concealer* for my undereyes - it’s very creamy and hydrating and mimics the look of skin, and it still has pretty good coverage. I’d say it’s medium coverage rather than full. It also works well all over the face, if you were wondering.
Invisible Powder
Sometimes more hydrating concealer formulas tend to settle into undereye creases, but this can be remedied by setting with powder. Since you’re taking so much care to keep the undereyes hydrated, though, you’ll want a formula that’s weightless, invisible, and non-cakey. The Ohii Glass Powder* is one of the best I’ve tried - you truly can’t see it on the skin, it doesn’t dull a glow, it’s incredibly blurring (further helping any fine lines you may have under your eyes), and it really does set the makeup. (Heads-up, right now there’s a duo available with the Wake Up Pen & Glass Powder!)
Brightening Champagne Eyeshadow
Now that the undereyes are taken care of, another thing you can do is choose a reflective, brightening eyeshadow in some kind of champagne shade (or perhaps a gold/bronze if you have a deeper skintone) - basically, something that’s a similar tone to your skin but shiny. This will make you look more awake and help to open up the eyes. I like Liar Liar by Colourpop - it’s cheap but a beautiful buttery formula, and the shade is the most perfect slightly pink champagne tone for me. Another tip is to bring it into the inner corners of your eyes to really brighten things up.
Lengthening/Defining Mascara
Speaking of opening up the eyes, the last step is to curl your eyelashes (if you’ve never done it before, it makes SUCH a difference!) and use a lengthening mascara. This combo really gives the illusion that your eyes are open wider, making you look more awake. My favorite mascara for this is hands-down the Glossier Lash Slick - it gives crazy length and definition and looks like you have eyelash extensions in, and it doesn’t smudge at all. This is the only mascara I can use on my bottom lashes, and on days I want a more dramatic mascara, I’ll still layer Lash Slick over the top to make sure every lash is separated and defined, and it keeps everything from smudging.
What are your top tips for looking more awake?
*Products marked with an asterisk have been sent to me, but all opinions are my own.
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