It was hard enough to get proper sleep before the world turned upside down this year; now, it can be even more challenging. Although more professionals are working from home, many find themselves starting their workdays earlier and ending them later. Plus, millions of families now need to complete their work-related tasks and assist their children with online learning initiatives. Conversely, many people are still out of a job and are suffering from higher levels of anxiety.

We think it’s safe to say that recent times have created a perfect storm for sleeplessness.

Whether you’re hunkered down in zoom calls all day, running errands, or just wanting to give yourself a little TLC, sometimes you just want to look like you’ve got it all together. Here are some realistic tips and tricks for looking and feeling well-rested after you roll out of bed. And, no… taking a cold shower is NOT on our list. (Who wants to do that?)

 

5 Quick Tricks to Look Well-Rested in the Morning

 

Put a spoon in the freezer at night.

 

Yep, you read that right… a good old fashioned spoon. (Make sure it has some kind of metallic composition.) Placing a cold spoon under your eyes in the morning is an excellent way to reduce under-eye puffiness. The cool temperature reduces blood flow, which in turn, lessens swelling and inflammation.

Additionally, there are plenty of under-eye creams, masks, and other beauty products you can utilize to look a little more well-rested. Many people will stick their favorite under-eye remedy in the fridge before applying the next morning. But, if you’re looking for a more economical alternative, you simply can’t go wrong with a spoon!

 

Guzzle some water while you’re making your morning coffee.

 

At this point, we all know that staying hydrated is one of the easiest ways to look and feel your best every day. It’s easy to head straight to the coffee pot right after you wake up, but drinking water before you do anything else for the day is recommended, especially if you wan to look well-rested. Water is essential for keeping your tissues well-moisturized and plump. In some cases, we can pinpoint dry eyes, skin, and more to a lack of hydration. Try keeping your favorite water bottle by your bedside, and take a swig as soon as your alarm goes off. Your tissues will thank you!

 

Give your cheeks a little rouge.

 

Recent trends in makeup largely focus on lips, contouring, and eyeshadows. Sometimes, it feels like our favorite beauty gurus have forgotten about blush altogether. However, it’s one of the best products to use if you’re looking to breathe some youthful life into your complexion. Start by applying the blush to the apples of your cheeks, and continue to apply up beneath your temples. Don’t apply your blush in a completely straight line as you might do with contour – you want the blush to look natural. You can also apply a bit of blush to your forehead, nose, and chin for an even more natural look. No need to go too heavy with it – a little goes a long way in making you look more well-rested.

 

Use a distraction.

 

Other makeup techniques may help distract from tired eyes – in a positive way, of course! One of the easiest ways to accomplish this and look well-rested even in early mornings is to wear a bold lip. In the colder months, try applying a darker, moodier lip that works well with your skin’s complexion. Bold reds are another excellent option, especially around the holidays. Similar to the blush technique, a warm, bold lip can truly liven up your look. The same goes for your brows. Try filling in your brows and brushing them upwards with a small brush, or a spoolie. Again, the goal is not to get people to stare at your brows – keep them natural-looking! But, it’s another tactic that will add more dimension to your daily look.

 

Do something to take the edge off… and no, scrolling through Instagram doesn’t count.

 

Feelings of stress and anxiety, whether they creep into your head the night before or when you wake up in the morning, can affect how tired you look. Try doing something active that will distract you from those feelings for a few moments and increase your endorphin levels. Going for a walk, playing with your pet, and stretching are some activities that are not too strenuous (or frankly, too annoying) to do in the morning. Plus, if get your blood flowing, you’ll see more color in your face and you will definitely look well-rested. Moving your body can also help with under-eye puffiness!

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These are some simple, cost-effective remedies for looking more well-rested in the morning. Ultimately, the best way to appear more well-rested is to… well, get more rest. Understandably, that’s not always possible. Hopefully, these ideas will inspire you to get out of bed just five minutes earlier. Now stop hitting snooze, and go grab your spoon!

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