We’ve all had those mornings—staring at the mirror, wondering why we look as exhausted as we feel. Whether it’s a sleepless night, stress, or just life catching up with us, fatigue has a way of showing up front and center on our faces. Lovely, right? But here’s the good news—you don’t have to look as tired as you feel. There are some simple, game-changing tricks that can help you look less tired and fake a well-rested, refreshed look in minutes.
From brightening your skin to opening up your eyes, these are my go-to makeup and lifestyle hacks that always do the trick—even when I’m running on fumes. Because let’s be real, we don’t always have time to sleep eight hours, but we can look like we did.
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Makeup Tips to Fake a Full Night’s Sleep
Brighten Your Skin
Dull, tired skin is a sure sign you didn’t get enough sleep. But a little radiance can work wonders! Try one or all of these suggestions.
1. Use a hydrating primer to add radiance.
2. Apply highlighter over your foundation to the high points of your face—cheekbones, bridge of the nose, and just under the brow—for an instant lift and glow.
3. Apply a light-reflecting concealer under your eyes and around your nose for a fresh, even look.
Open Up Your Eyes
Your eyes are the first thing people notice, so making them look awake is key.
1. Apply a nude or peach eyeliner to your waterline instead of black—it instantly brightens.
2. Curl your lashes before you use mascara. It lifts the eyes and makes you look more alert.
3. Use Lumify eye drops to instantly whiten your eyes and erase redness. (These are a game changer!)
Focus on Your Brows
Your brows frame your face and play a huge role in your overall look. A well-groomed brow can instantly lift, define, and make you look more youthful and put-together, even on minimal makeup days.
1. Use a brow pencil or tinted gel to fill in any sparse areas for a fuller, more defined look. For an instant lifting effect, add a slight arch by focusing on the area of your brow that aligns with the center of your pupil.
2. To lift and define your arches, apply a light, subtle highlighter or a matte concealer directly under the brow bone, just beneath the highest point of your arch. Gently blend it out with your fingertip or a brush to create a soft, lifted effect that brightens your eyes and enhances your brow shape.
3. Brush your brows upward and seal with a clear gel to open up your eyes.
Add a Flush of Color
Nothing revives a tired face like a natural flush of color. Opt for cream blushes—they blend seamlessly into skin, leaving a fresh, dewy glow instead of a dry, powdery finish.
1. Use a cream blush on the apples of your cheeks for a natural glow.
2. Pick shades with a peachy or rosy tone—they mimic a well-rested flush.
Contour & Highlight for Instant Lift
The right contouring and highlighting techniques can sculpt your face and make you look more awake. Here is how to apply contour properly.
1. Lightly contour under your cheekbones and along your jawline to define your features.
2. Apply a soft highlighter to the high points of your face—cheekbones, brow bones, and the inner corners of your eyes—to add instant brightness.
3. Avoid heavy or harsh contouring—soft, blended definition is key for a fresh look.
Hydrate Your Lips
Dry, chapped lips can instantly make you look more tired and worn out. Here is what you can do;
1. Use a tinted lip balm or a hydrating gloss for a fresh, plump look.
2. Avoid dark, matte lipsticks, which can make lips look smaller and more dehydrated.
I hope you find at least one of these tips helpful! Take what resonates with you—there’s no need to do them all at once (unless you want to, of course!). And while a good night’s sleep is the ultimate fix, well… that’s a conversation for another day.
Feature photo: iStock
You may also like to read some of my other anti-aging beauty posts like 9 Of The Best Organic Face Oils for Aging Skin and 10 Fashion Mistakes That Make You Look Older.
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