How to fight tiredness (and look awake!)
Puffy eyes, dark circles, dull, dry skin? A bad night’s sleep may be part and parcel of motherhood but it’s also the enemy of beauty. Luckily, you can fight the signs of tiredness with these pick-me-up products. Look alive!
Super Facialist by Una Brennan Overnight Repair Radiance Serum Capsules (£21.99, boots.com)
Prevention is better than cure! Pop the contents of one capsule on your face before bed and let the high-dose Vitamin C work its magic overnight, keeping skin plumped and youthful.
B. Rescued Energising Balm (£2.25, superdrug.com)
Exhaustion saps your skin of moisture. Hydration is the answer and this balm promises to deliver it for 12 hours. Apply a thin layer to cleansed skin for a fresh and dewy look.
Rimmel London Wake Me Up Mascara (£7.99, boots.com)
With refreshing cucumber extract, this mascara opens up your peepers, giving lashes a natural-looking curl. No clumps guaranteed and the zingy fragrance will give your mood a lift, too.
Dirty Works Radiance Cream (£7, sainsburys.co.uk)
One of those beauty heroes that transforms your look in seconds, this brightening cream is a joy… and a bargain. Apply after moisturiser for an instant ‘wide awake’ look on even the most sluggish morning.
Amazing Cosmetics Amazing Concealer (£19.50, amazingcosmetics.co.uk)
Hollywood’s secret weapon. Loved by models Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Gisele Bundchen and used by makeup artists on the cast of Mad Men and Modern Family, this concealer blurs skin, leaving you HD-ready.
Weleda Wild Rose Smoothing Masque (£16.95, weleda.co.uk)
Slather this on for five mins while baby naps and your skin will thank you. It’s packed with relaxing rose oil and mallow to nourish and smooth.
Avon ANEW Clinical Infinite Lift Duel Eye System (£20, avonshop.co.uk)
Good old Avon’s created a cream that smooths and lifts the eye area without leaving skin feeling dry or tight. Use day and night for best results, and you only need a tiny amount.
Hylamide Glow Radiance Booster (£20, boots.com)
Oh, we do love a multi-tasker! This luscious serum gives a glow, and gradually develops a light, flattering tan. One fast way to look like you got eight hours’ sleep.
This Works in Transit Camera Close Up (£30, boots.com)
Little bit of an investment, but worth it for time saved. Moisturiser, quenching mask and primer all in one, this is a real fixer when all else fails. Just apply to clean skin: it’s like a soft-focus filter, so no-one will know you were still awake at 3am…
Thalgo’s Perfect Glow BB Cream (£21.50, thalgo.co.uk)
When you’re tired, the last thing you want to do is faff with a foundation brush. This lightweight BB is much easier: just apply it like a day cream and it’ll even out skintone. With an SPF15 you’re ready to face the day.
Clarins Rouge Eclat lipcolour (£20, boots.com)
Sometimes lipstick is the only answer. A super-flattering wash of colour will perk up a tired face in a heartbeat. Clarins’ two new shades, Tawny Rose and Red Paprika, are a perfect suit-anyone pink and soft daytime red.
Elemis Pro-Radiance Illuminating Eye Balm (£34, debenhams.com)
Concealer alone may not cover stubborn dark circles and red-rimmed eyes. Try layering a cooling balm underneath. This one from Elemis reflects light, cancelling out any sallowness and tackling water retention at the same time.
Aveda Tourmaline Charged Exfoliating Cleanser (£22, lookfantastic.com)
A little facial massage with a good cleanser will re-energise skin. Work in this rich cream then take it off with a flannel soaked in warm water. The tourmaline crystals have healing properties, leaving skin glowing and clearing up any fatigue-related breakouts.
Clinique All About Eyes Serum De-Puffing Eye Massage (£24, boots.com)
This little rollerball is a lifesaver when you’re on the go all day and in need of a pick-me-up. It cools on contact, de-puffing and refreshing, making it perfect for travel or mad-busy days with tiny tots.
Vasanti Wonders of the World Concealer for Dark Circles and Blemishes (£14, amazon.co.uk)
This is one of the best concealers we’ve tried all year. No caking, flaking or dryness, and easy to dab on with one finger. Ideal for those mornings when you’re running on empty.
