6 Ways To Beat Tiredness

By now, you probably know that for perfect, flawless skin, you should cleanse, tone and moisturize first thing in the morning and last thing at night, avoid salt and sugar as they can puff up your skin, get at least eight hours of beauty sleep every night and try not to stay up late with a glass of wine. But inevitably, we end up staying up late or getting up early so that we can fit in extra work or go to the gym, and for those times that sleep just isn't an option, you can fake it. Learn how to beat tiredness and wake up looking beautiful by following these tips and tricks. Plus, if you like what you see in the mirror in the morning - despite your lack of sleep - you'll feel happier, as studies have shown that when we like how we look, our brain releases endorphins, which makes us feel happier. Bonus!

Do What You Can

If you know that a late night is inevitable, or that you're going to be pretty tired during the next few days, do everything you can to beat those eyebags and dull skin by drinking plenty of water, avoiding salty, sugary or processed foods, and elevating your head when you go to bed using pillows - it'll reduce puffiness. It's also a good idea to use a silk pillowcase, if you can, as it will reduce static, keeping your hair smooth and tangle-free.

Super Charge Your Shower

Sometimes, an invigorating shower can wake you up far more than a nap can!      

While washing your hair, use your fingertips to massage the shampoo into your scalp. You only need a spot of shampoo the size of a dime and if use too much, your hair will be dull. Just dunk your head under the shower to increase lather instead of adding more shampoo. This massage will banish oil but will also help prep the hair for styling - making your blow dry that little bit easier! Wake up your skin and get blood flowing to the surface, making you look more radiant, with a salt scrub.

See Also: Tired? Learn How to Regain Energy

Preparing Your Skin     

Skin still a bit dull? Apply a face mask while you're brushing your teeth. Choose a formula that contains vitamins and antioxidants, then wash off once you've done your teeth. Dry the face gently using a clean, soft cloth, then pat in a hydrating moisturizer to wake up your complexion for fresh, dewy skin. If your skin is looking a little red, use a chamomile formula, and if it's a little oily, use an oil-balancing moisturizer. If your skin really needs some love, gently pat in a few drops of face oil.

Blow By Blow

The key to a perfect, put-together 'do, the blow-dry is one of the most important parts of your morning routine. But it can feel like you need an extra arm or two to perfect the look. Luckily, there are a few ways to cheat your blow-dry, too, giving you luscious locks with very little effort.

• Keep the nozzle at least 3cm away from hair to avoid burning the hair
• Use a nozzle if you have curly hair and simply hold it underneath hair - you don't need to constantly move it around as this will just cause frizz
• Use a hairdryer that emits negative ions - these interact with the positive ions that can cause frizz, making neutral ions, leaving hair sleek
• Blow dry hair away from the face in different directions if your locks are a bit dull and flat to create volume
• For glossy, bouncy, wavy locks, try this: tip your head upside down and blow dry hair until 90% dry. Separate hair into two bunches and twist both away from your face until they feel tight from the nape of your neck to the tips of hair. Blow dry each twist and keep twisting the hair until completely dry. Leave each bunch to cool, still twisted. Once completely cool, separate with your fingers and spritz with hair spray to hold in place. Viola!

Bright Eyes

Makeup is a life-saver when you're feeling tired, but one thing will really give you away - red-rimmed eyes. Banish them and make your eyes look extra wide-awake and bright by using eye drops or an eye mist. If that doesn't do the trick, try this brilliant tip: rim the inside of your upper and lower lash line with a blue kohl pencil. Blue helps to counteract the redness of your eyes, making your eyes appear brighter and whiter. Clever, huh?

Fakeup Your Makeup

The right makeup will make you feel a million dollars, even when you're feeling shattered. Make your skin glow and mask dullness by using a light-reflecting foundation or BB cream. The light-reflecting particles will quite literally reflect light from your face, masking dullness and helping to fade and smooth out fine lines and wrinkles.

See Also: Do You Have A Beauty Routine?

Shadows under your eyes? Stay away from yellow-based concealers - they'll make bags look even bigger. Use a pink-toned concealer instead to mask those shadows.

Cream-based blushers are also your best bet if you're feeling tired. Apply them to the apples of your cheeks for a rosy, "I just got back from the gym" kind of glow - perfect for making you look more awake! Add a few strokes of mascara to open up your eyes and make you look more awake, then finish the look with a little bit of highlighter brushed along your brow bone and in the corners of your eyes, on your cupid's bow and along the top of your cheekbones. An easy-peasy, wide-awake look - even if you didn't get much sleep!