How to Look Fresh and Awake at 7:00AM in the Morning
Sufficient sleep is important to help you feel refreshed and avoid tell-tale signs of sleep-deprivation, such as dark circles and bags under the eyes. However, sleep loss is caused by myriad and sometimes unavoidable factors, such as babies' feeding schedules, aging, demanding work schedules and, of course, late-night parties. Even if you achieve sufficient sleep and feel refreshed, your early-morning reflection may still display a disappointing combination of dull skin and tired-looking eyes. Consistent routines and some quick-fix techniques will help you achieve a glowing complexion and brighter eyes for your early start to the day. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Fruit
- Yogurt
- Lemon juice
- Honey
- Toothpaste
- Shower gel
- Face wash
- Eye gel
- Concealer
- Tinted moisturizer
- Tissue
- Loose face powder
- Powder brush
- Blusher
- Blusher brush
- Tweezers
- Eyebrow pencil
- Eyebrow brush
- Eyelash curlers
- Mascara
- Lip gloss
Instructions
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Eat a light and nutritious breakfast, such as fruit and yogurt, and drink a glass of water to re-fuel and re-hydrate the body after its night-time fast. Dehydration is a common cause of puffy eyes. If you dislike the taste of cold water, pour hot water into a mug and stir in a tablespoon of lemon juice and a teaspoon of honey. Lemon and honey both contain antioxidants that are important for good health and a clear complexion.
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Clean your teeth by using whitening toothpaste for a fresher-looking smile. Take a warm shower, and use fragrances such as citrus, ginger or peppermint, which have an energizing effect. A mild, exfoliating face wash will slough away dead skin cells for a brighter complexion, while a final splash of cold water will tighten pores and refresh sleepy eyes.
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Gently tap a small amount of eye gel onto the eyelid and around the eye area. Do not pull or drag the skin. Store eye gel in the refrigerator to increase its skin-tightening and freshening properties. "Eye gel that contains caffeine may also temporarily tighten skin," says Dr. Bruce Katz, dermatologist at the New York Juva Skin and Laser Center.
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Apply a dot of concealer at the inner corner of each eye and blend it in by tapping gently with your ring finger. Apply two or three more dots of concealer underneath each eye, and blend as before. Choose a shade of concealer to match your skin tone and that has peach or yellow undertones to diminish the blue, purple and reddish tones of under-eye dark circles.
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Apply tinted moisturizer to your forehead, cheeks, nose and chin. Choose a shade that matches your skin tone. Blend it well by using your fingertips, paying attention to areas such as around your nostrils and under your chin. Wipe excess product with a tissue.
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Brush a little loose powder in a shade that matches your skin tone over your forehead, nose and chin to remove shine. Swirl a blusher brush into a peach-colored or pink powder blusher. Smile, and brush blusher on the apples of your cheeks for a healthy-looking pop of color.
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Sweep a tissue over your eyebrows to remove excess tinted moisturizer. Pluck away any stray hairs to achieve a clean and tidy brow line. Fill in sparse areas by using a brow-defining pencil in a color to match your eyebrows and then use an eyebrow brush to brush brows upward. Well-defined brows frame your face and help you look more youthful.
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Use an eyelash curler. "Curled lashes emphasize the upper part of your eye so you look more alert," says celebrity makeup artist Heather Cummings. After curling, apply a thin coat of waterproof mascara. Choose black mascara if you have medium, olive or dark skin tone, and dark brown mascara if your skin tone is fair. Or, try blue mascara, which makes the whites of the eyes look brighter.
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Apply coral-colored or pink lip gloss in a shade that complements your skin tone and hair color.
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Tips & Warnings
If you enjoy coffee or tea, have a cup after you have freshened up in preparation for your busy day ahead. According to Dr. Bruce Katz of the Juva Skin and Laser Center, caffeinated drinks help to freshen puffy and tired-looking eyes by moving fluid away from the eye area.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Digital Vision./Digital Vision/Getty Images
