Sleep. When you don’t get it, you don’t get it. A groggy, lethargic day following a restless night is brutal, and those compelled to announce that you look tired only make it worse. So, here are seven easy tips to help you appear a little better rested than you are and avoid those schmoes who think that asking about your under-eye bags is a great conversation starter.
Conceal it
If you miss out on sleep, your under-eye area can turn into a rainbow of colors (none of them flesh tone). The blue and green bags are a dead giveaway that you’re zonked. Cover up the spectrum of sleepiness with a quality under-eye concealer. Make the concealer purchase when you’re tired, to be sure the product is opaque enough to block out those veiny tones.
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Seek preparation
In addition to discoloration, a lack of sleep can result in under-eye puffiness. While certainly not a glamorous cosmetic, a dab of Preparation H gently rubbed into the under-eye area will help that puffiness go down in a matter of minutes. Pop the tube in the fridge and apply it cold for more immediate results.
More tips on how to get rid of eye redness and puffiness >>
Healthy start
You haven’t recharged your battery with sleep, so do yourself a favor and at least fill your engine with quality fuel. A protein-packed breakfast will give you much longer-lasting energy than a sugary morning start. And when you’re low in the sleep department, every energy boost counts.
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Lash out
Curled lashes will make even the slittiest of morning eyes appear more open and awake. Hold your lashes in the curler for at least 30 seconds to get a serious curl that will last all day — or at least as long as you last with no sleep.
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A heated eyelash curler can save you time and make your lashes look fabulous. This inexpensive, easy-to-use gadget heats up in just a minute or two, and the curl lasts longer than that from a traditional eyelash curler. Look for a heated eyelash curler at your local drugstore.
Jam out
Listen to cheesy pump-up jams all day. There’s absolutely no way you’ll look tired when you’re bopping your head to old-school faves like Hanson’s MmmBop and Outkast’s Hey Ya. No, really. There is actually no way to appear tired when these songs are on. It’s like dividing by zero: Impossible.
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Cuppa caffeine
Don’t skip your caffeine fix on a day when you’re dragging, but try not to overdo it. Go for one more cup of coffee than what you normally would chug on a well rested day. Any more than that, and you’ll be a jittery mess. Plus, you’ll probably affect your next night’s sleep and just repeat this tired cycle.
Learn more about the effects of caffeine >>
Mr. Golden Sun
It’s easy to feel zonked when you’re spending the entire day under fluorescent lighting. Get out in the sunlight as much as possible. Sunlight is a cue to your body that it’s daytime and will help you wake up. Even a few minutes of fresh air and direct sun should make a difference.
Find out about sunlight and vitamin D deficiency >>
If you’ve tried all the above and still bump into someone who makes an unfortunate comment about how tired you look, all we can advise is the “I’m rubber, you’re glue” poem. It worked for us in first grade, and we don’t see why it shouldn’t be effective now.
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