How To Look Awake With These Ten Makeup Hacks

Because nobody should ever have to hear “you look tired…”

"You look tired” is quite possibly the cruellest sentence in the English language (followed closely by, “We’re sorry, that title is not available to watch on Netflix”).

It’s hard enough to actually wake up when your alarm buzzes, but even when you do log a good eight to ten hours of sleep and wisely choose to forgo the all-night Netflix-marathon, there’s no guarantee your face will get the memo and wake up with you.

Sure, three shots of espresso may take care of your energy levels inside, puffy, bloodshot eyes, and dull skin will serve as a constant reminder to you and anyone who looks at you that you're exhausted.

Luckily, there are a few makeup tricks to help you fake a full night’s rest.

Ahead, we've compiled the easiest ways to appear as though you got in a solid eight hours, even if you only got eight minutes.

Breathe in an Invigorating Scent

Step one to looking more awake: Actually wake up. And yes, coffee might help, but you could also try something a little bit gentler, like essential oils. Jo Browne's Aroma Bamboo Diffuser (€76) vaporises oils into your bathroom or bedroom, so you can go about your business while inhaling a restorative, heavenly scent. Try their 'Fresh' blend of citrus, pine and white camphor oils, or look for peppermint or rosemary oils, which are also known to make you feel more alert.

Aroma Bamboo Diffuser, €75, Jo Browne

shower with citrus

The smell of citrus is refreshing, sure, but science says it can also boost your body’s production of serotonin. So what better to slather over your body in the morning than this shower gel with lemon oil and grapefruit extract? Pretty much nothing.

Vermena Shower Gel, €18.50, L'Occitane

CALM PUFFY EYES AND DARK CIRCLES

Red, puffy eyes and dark circles are sure signs that you didn’t get a full eight hours of sleep. Keep The Inkey List's Caffeine Serum on standby for early mornings after late nights. While it's not specifically designed to target the eye area, it does just that - effectively too.

Coffee contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant powders which when blended into a serum reduces puffiness, prevents skin damage and minimises the appearance of dark circles. As caffeine is a diuretic, it can also help to relieve water retention which tends to be the main culprit for puffiness under the eyes.

To sum it up: Your co-workers will have no idea that you're going on four hours of sleep.

Caffeine Serum, €11.99, The Inkey List

MOISTURISE WITH AN ENERGISING MOISTURISER

On days when you get a regular night's sleep, your normal moisturizer will do. But on days when your skin also needs the same energizing effects as a couple of shots of espresso, you're going to want to use both your normal moisturiser and Mac's Strobe Cream.

Dubbed the “ultimate quick fix for skin,” this super-potent formula allows you to forget about the snooze button. Filled with green tea, vitamins, and iridescent goodness, the €34 cream highlights all the lovely features on your face while also blurring any imperfections. That includes dull skin, redness, and the terrible creases your pillow makes on your cheek.

Strobe Cream, €34, MAC available at Brown Thomas

CURL YOUR LASHES

If you can barely keep your eyes open, grab an eyelash curler like Kevyn Aucoin's eyelash curler. A bigger, defined curl will help your eyes appear larger. Blast your curler with your hairdryer for a few seconds before using it for a long-lasting curl.

Eyelash Curler, €14, Kevyn Aucoin

LINE YOUR LIDS WITH A NUDE LINER

While white works too, we prefer a nude-coloured, matte liner because it looks more natural. Apply Charlotte Tilbury's Rock'N'Kohl eyeliner in shade 'Eye Cheat' (€25) to your bottom waterline and along your brow bone. The subtle addition will make your face look more wide-awake and less “I just woke up five minutes ago.”

Rock'N'Kohl Eyeliner, €25, Charlotte Tilbury

APPLY CONCEALER, then apply another concealer

Rather than relying on just one concealer, you’re going to need to bring in the big guns. In this case, the big guns is Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer from IT Cosmetics.

First, colour-correct with a peach shade that works to neutralize dark circles and smooth fine lines. Follow that up with the radiance-boosting concealer (opt for two shades lighter than your skin), and your under-eye area will instantly look refreshed.

The formula is infused with skin-loving ingredients like peptides, vitamins, hydrolysed collagen, hyaluronic acid and antioxidants so not only is it diminishing the appearance of dark circles, it's being kind to your skin too. It sounds complicated, but really it’s simple: These products will save your face in the early a.m.

Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer, €29, IT Cosmetics

really open your eyes

If you’re anything like us, mascara can be a nightmare in the morning when contemplating your beauty routine. Our eyes tend to water when we wake up, so we live by this formula that doesn’t smudge, flake, or clump.

Bye Bye Panda Eyes Mascara, €4.40, Essence

Add some colour

Now for a little colour—trust us, it's the key to a fast yet put-together morning beauty routine. This lightweight, pillowy formula means you can instantly blend into your cheeks for a natural, flushed-from-within-glow. And while you're at it, pop some onto your lips too.

Cloud Paint, €18, Glossier

refresh with a hydrating mist

Drinking water is crucial to stay hydrated, but in addition to drinking it, spritz on a moisturizing face mist to revive and refresh fatigued, dehydrated skin throughout the day. Caudalie’s spray is also formulated with brightening and clarifying ingredients to restore your complexion’s glow.