Wake-Me-Upper Secrets For Girls On The Go

Some nights you just can't get any. Sleep that is. Insomnia, jet lag, late nights out, and staying up late chasing your intellectual endeavors are just a few snooze-time thieves. Inevitably you wake up the next morning looking just as blah as you feel. The telltale signs stare back at you in the mirror in the form of lackluster skin, dark circles, and droopy eyes. Since hiding under the covers usually isn't an option, follow these surefire ways to look awake and perk up your looks when you're pooped.

For Lackluster Skin

• Hydrate: The best way to wake up skin is to hydrate, both inside and out. Start your day with a big glass of water then focus on your skin care routine.
• Moisturize: When you're tired, your skin easily loses lipids, allowing water to evaporate from your skin and leaving it feeling dry and tight and looking dull. The solution: Lube up with a richer, denser face moisturizer than you normally use (if you don't have oily skin) "petrolatum" on the ingredient list is a good sign, or just switch from lotion to cream. Wait a few minutes to let it sink in, and reapply if your skin still feels dry.
• Go Easy On Foundation: If you usually wear a foundation, skip it. Tired skin tends to be rough and uneven, and foundation looks best on a smooth surface. Instead, go for a lightweight tinted moisturizer. You can make your own tinted moisturizer by mixing a few drops of your foundation with your moisturizer.
• Pep up washed-out skin with two shades of blush: your neutral, everyday blush plus a brighter shade. Apply the neutral shade the way you always do, starting on the apple of each cheek and blending up into your hairline. Then very lightly dust the brighter shade just on the apples of your cheeks. This added splash of color will help give you that well-rested glow.

For Dark Circles

• Tea Bags: Apply used green or red tea bags store in the fridge for instant pick me upper. Tea bags have caffeine, tannins and antioxidants that work wonder for delicate eye areas.
• Conceal: The antidote to really dark under eye circles is a combination of two concealers. Start with a pale pink concealer to correct the purple-green color of your circles. Then layer on your usual (yellow-toned) concealer. Make sure you apply concealer under each eye, up to its lash line and toward its inner corner. Use your fingers to gently pat and blend the concealer, then lock it in place with loose powder (in a yellow tone), applied with a velour puff.

For Droopy, Puffy Eyes

• Potato Power: Spritz eyes with Avène Thermal Spring Water spray and apply thin slices of potato on the eyes for 10-15 minutes. Works like magic in reducing the eye bags and puffiness.
• Minimal Makeup: is best on tired eyes. Skip shimmer and cream shadows; they draw attention to the eyes and can magnify droopiness and puffiness. Opt for soft, matte powder shadow instead. Avoid rosy or red-toned shades, which make you look even more tired. Pat a white eye shadow lightly on the outer end of your brow bone for highlighting this gives illusion of open eyes. Curl your lashes to open up your eyes even more, and finish with a coat of mascara on your upper lashes only. This will draw attention up and away from the tired under eye area.
• Refrigerated Preparation H: can rescue puffy eyes in a jiffy but use only in case of emergencies as it can cause irritation if used on regular basis.

Other Tips-n-Tricks For Quick Wake-Me-Upper

• Pep Up Your Wardrobe: Put on a color that makes you happy.
• Move Your Body: Exercise can help get rid of puffiness in your face and give you a much-needed glow.
• Try Essential Oils: A whiff of mint is an instant energizer.

Now make a plan to get back on track with a healthy night's sleep tonight.