The Beauty Sleep concept is brought to you by Estée Lauder’s New Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II
If you’re lacking sleep, often you’ll find your skin looking a little dull, a little puffy, and a little less than your normal, fresh-faced self!
Contrary to popular belief, this doesn’t mean you need to pile on a stack of makeup to even remotely pass as having a full night’s sleep; in fact, it is the opposite.
Often over-application can make you look worse and, due to dehydration, makeup can sit incorrectly when tired, making everything look cakey and a little heavy in areas.
When feeling tired, hydration is key to plump out the skin and you can quickly see results.
Thicker creams take longer to penetrate as they nourish through the cells, whereas the water base, hydrating style moisturisers are more instant, giving a great boost of water and general glow, plumping the skin – great for a smoother look.
When tired, I apply a couple of layers on moisturiser as my skin sucks the hydration in so quickly and you always want the base to be perfect in texture and balanced in moisture before even thinking of applying foundation.
MB PRO TIP – For a quick and easy result, as well as a perfect blend into the skin, I always mix my moisturiser or even a light serum into foundation. When mixed, the textures combine, giving a light, easy to apply texture, which will adapt to skin flawlessly.
It also prevents foundation catching on small dry areas as moisture has been added to the formula.
Once skin has an even base, you can then decide to add concealer.
I try to avoid concealer on the face as it can definitely show up heavier more times than not, so I opt for just re-applying foundation on problem areas with a dabbing application to build up some coverage.
Concealer, for me, is mainly for the eyes. It can, depending on the texture, be a great eyelid base or primer for eye shadows, and obviously amazing for eliminating dark circles.
The biggest mistake you can make is to look at yourself in the mirror while tired, see dark circles and start applying heavy amounts. Be warned, it may look good upon first application but in a few hours when your expression lines have been active and product starts to move, it will move into the creases and look even worse!
Dark circles only start from the inner tear duct to about half way under the eye, so no need for application on the outer crows feet, it will only look to creased later on.
Blush can be a great way to boost your skin when feeling a little flat and tired.
Problem is, most women apply blush from the start of the apple of the cheek and keep sweeping up into the hairline, it becomes stripy and very placed, looking unnatural.
A natural ‘flush’ occurs right at the front of the cheeks, mainly around the apple of the cheeks. It is nice to add a touch of colour either in a peach or soft pink shade just on the apple of the cheek, not sweeping to heavily into the hairline, this will mimic a natural flush with more even consistency than that of a natural flush.
For a more contoured look, apply a bronzer, preferably matte, under cheekbone to recede the skin to have a lifted cheek, adding shape to the face.
When tired though, it is best to not go overboard and risk looing to muddy or dirty – keep the fresh apple of cheeks the focus.
Colour and brightness is better when feeling flat and tired as your skin tone can already be sporting a tone similar to that of browns and neutrals.
MB PRO TIP – A little sweep across the eyelid with your chosen blush shade can be a great lift to the eye. It will more than likely be a contrasting shade to your eyes bringing out the colour as well as blending in well with the skin tone.
When tired, I always advise to dress up the lip in a bright, bold, yet fresh colour rather than use heavy eye makeup.
A bronzer can be used to create a stronger eye socket if needed — great for the puffy or heavy lid eyes, the bronze tone will recede away the concerns and add a lift.
Uplifting shades are great when tired — avoid plums, blues, purples, flat browns and even some grey shades.
Always try to use brighter or just in general fresh looking tones – hence the tip about applying a little blush n the mobile eyelid to create a little colour.
Peachy warm blushes for the pale, pink base skins and a little pink or even the peach is great for olive skins as a wash of colour.
Focus on big lashes, a structured brow, and small amount of actual shading on the eye, a little pop cheek and a bold lip for the perfectly balanced, uplifting look when feeling tired and flat.
Bold lip shades in true reds, fuchsia, and orange are the best shades when wanting an instant face freshener.
Balance of colour and hydration can do you wonders when feeling tired, add some eye drops and you are good to go ladies!
The Beauty Sleep concept is brought to you by Estée Lauder’s New Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II