Today’s guest post is by Audrey.
Audrey is a skincare nut turned blogger who refuses to leave the house without moisturizer. She specializes in unique skincare formulas during the day (and bad reality TV at night.) Read her tips for raising confident daughters on her blog, Vain Pursuits!
Ask any new mom what they miss most about life before kids, and chances are their sleepy eyes will reveal the answer before they do.
Having children will fulfill you in limitless ways, but let’s face it – it’s not exactly the best path to looking refreshed and beautiful.
As a skincare nut who values beauty sleep above all, I thought I’d offer some advice to the mod mommies out there who would gladly give their Ferragamo for a full night’s rest.
While not all of us have to wake up at the crack of dawn to go on live TV like Courtney, we’d still like to know how to look awake even if we don’t feel it. Here are some tips & tricks for looking like you’ve scored more sleep than you really have.
- If you can’t make time for makeup, at least make time for skincare. Always start the day with a clean slate – wash your face with cold water to reduce inflammation and wipe away any excess oils. Moisturizing is the single best thing you can do to look awake, as it brightens and evens your skin tone when you’re sallow from sleep deprivation. You can usually get away with a two-step skincare routine, as long as the products you’re choosing are high-quality. I’ve managed to streamline my morning routine down to about 90 seconds. It’s not the luxurious 7-step process it used to be, but it gets the job done!
- Ever heard of bedhead? If you slept less than great the night before, chances are your hair will announce that to the world in the morning. Invest in a great haircut that doesn’t take too much time or upkeep, and if you can’t find time for a shower, let dry shampoo be your saving grace.
- Let’s say you do have a few minutes to spare for makeup – awesome! Use a concealer on your under-eye circles a few shades lighter than your normal foundation to hide your dark circles (and sleepiness) all day long. A white or nude eyeliner around the rim of your eye will cover up redness, as will a coat of mascara. A swipe of pink blush will also add back the color to your face was drained out during that 4 o’clock feeding.
- If you reach for coffee like your baby reaches for a bottle, know that you’re not alone. However, your complexion will not be happy you if don’t supplement it with hydration! Drinking lots of water will replenish your skin and make up for caffeine’s parching effects. Of all these look-awake tips, this one will do the most to make you feel better on the inside as well.
Always remember, if you’re sleep-deprived and desperate for zzz’s, it’s okay to ask for help and steal a nap when you can. Take time for yourself in whatever way feels best, but let’s be real: what feels best is probably a good night’s sleep, especially after a big Thanksgiving meal. Sweet dreams!
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A big thank you to Audrey for contributing such great tips!