It’s actually very depressing but studies in Sweden found that sleep-deprived people were perceived as less attractive and sadder than well-rested people. But who’s not sleep-deprived these days, right? Studies again show that the average woman gets only six and a half hours a night, not the eight doctors say she requires.
Clearly, we all need more shut-eye but, in the meantime, we could use a little magic to help us outwit the Swedish data and look and feel our best despite not being able to hit the bed at 10 and wake up at fresh at 6. Here’s what you need to know to fix your tired face after a long day at work or when you wake up looking not so ‘awake’.
To get rid of puffy eyes
One of the most common signs of a tired face is puffy eyes. Also, the female body retains water (high sodium intake can make it worse, so can being premenstrual). And when you are sleep-deprived or stressed, tissues swell and fluids pool around your eyes even more. To fix this, give yourself a quick morning massage with a brightening eye cream. For better results, chill it in the fridge overnight and apply it when you wake up in the morning. Next, resist the urge to apply tons of concealer and dark eye makeup, it will just make your eyes look worse. You can also use a wet washcloth or a frozen cotton swab to gently massage the puffiness away.
Five ways to make your resume stand out
The dark circles fix
Dark circles are actually broken capillaries and blood vessels showing through thin under eye skin. Being tired makes it more obvious, so does suffering from a cold or having a history of sun damage. To fix this, you need a concealer cocktail: First, apply an apricot-hued corrector to get rid of any hints of blue. Next, mix a liquid or cream concealer, in a shade that matches your skin, with loose powder and pat it under your eyes with your ring finger. The powder beefs up coverage without make the makeup look cake-y.
Tackling dull skin
Your skin cells repair at night, so when you miss out on sleep, you cut short that process and can wake up looking a little paler and more sallow. You can exfoliate with facial brush and then load on a heavy-duty moisturizer. However, if you tend to always wake up looking pale, then your goals should be to boost circulation and keep your skin hydrated so it doesn’t look dull. Get five to 10 minutes of exercise in—a brisk walk or some stair climbing—to get some youthful glow back into your skin. For quick results, commit yourself to a facial massage every morning and night. Simply put on some face oil or heavy moisturizer and massage it in with circular motions. You can also pinch your face gently to bring color to it. Also, make it a point to use a hydrating face mask at least once a week.
Dealing with dead skin
Apparently, we shed millions of skin cells a day, so unless you do something to actively remove the ones that don’t fall off naturally, you are going to have a dull looking skin tone. Think of that dead-cell buildup like dust. Until you wipe it clean, it’s a dingy layer that prevents your skin from reflecting light. A simple solution to tackle dead skin is to gently exfoliate once or twice a week. Scrubs with sugar or jojoba are mild enough for even sensitive skin, and grainy scrubs with pulverized nutshells are good for everyone else. Expert suggests you look for formulas that contain soothing ingredients, like aloe and green tea, to minimize irritation. Also, contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to limit exfoliation to just once a week. Understand you skin type and exfoliate accordingly. Your skin shouldn’t look red or inflamed after a good scrub. You can also opt for peels that use alpha and beta hydroxy acids to remove dead skin cells.
Cleansing skin from within
We don’t need to tell you how important water is for your body and general well-being, but did you also know that if you don’t drink enough it can weaken your under-eye skin causing bags and more wrinkles? If the skin is not hydrated properly, it becomes dry and dull, while well-hydrated skin will be plump and glowing. Sip a lot of water throughout the day to get a moist and supple skin. Drinking in small quantities throughout the day is a better option than just gulping a few glasses at one go.
Also, you are what you eat and the right diet will give you a bright complexion. Chuck out those noodles and biscuits. Instead, munch on fresh fruits rich in fibers and antioxidants, including vitamin C and vitamin A. The benefits: toxins are eliminated, free radicals are scavenged, and damaged cells and tissues are repaired. In short, your skin undergoes a complete rejuvenation and revitalization process, resulting in a soft, supple, and glowing skin.
