It’s no secret that moms don’t get the best sleep. Whether you’re up nursing a newborn, up with your potty training toddler, or up worrying about your teenager, motherhood just takes a toll on sleep schedules. If you have somewhere to be (or you just want to feel a little more like yourself) we’ve got you covered with some makeup tips that will help you look like you actually got some decent rest.
1. Use a luminous foundation.
Using a luminous foundation will immediately brighten your face by reflecting light, making you look fresh and awake. L’Oreal True Match Lumi Foundation is a great drugstore option. It provides medium coverage with a dewy finish in a wide range of shades — with warm, neutral, and cool toned options, it’s perfect for all skin tones.
If you’re looking for a more high-end option, Giorgio Armani’s Luminous Silk Foundation is a great splurge option. It’s a lightweight but pigmented formula to give you great coverage while still feeling lightweight. Their wide range of shades with detailed descriptions of each one allow you to find your perfect shade, even when online shopping.
Both foundations will make your skin look dewy, glowing, and radiant. If you have oily skin or struggle with too much shine, try using Rimmel’s Stay Matte Primer to balance things out.
2. Use under eye concealer a few shades lighter than your foundation.
Concealer is a great way to add light and structure to the face, so opt for one a few shades lighter than your foundation. Use it to cover dark circles, the redness on your eyelids, and brighten the high points of your face — the middle of your forehead, bridge of your nose, cupid’s bow, and chin. When applying under your eyes, extend it all the way to the outer corner of your eye. This will draw the eye up and make the face appear more lifted.
Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer or NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer will give you the brightness you need without making your skin look too cakey or like crêpe paper. Try using a banana powder like the one from Sephora to set your under eye concealer, making it last longer and prevent creasing.
3. Apply a highlight.
Use a highlighter like Champagne Pop to further bring light to your face and give you a beautiful, natural-looking radiance. Its peachy undertone looks great on all skin tones.
Apply it to the inner corner of your eyes and the center of your eyelids to make your eyes look more open and awake. Adding a touch above the outer corner of the brow bone will give a lifting effect while still looking natural. Apply it to the high points of your cheek bones for the ultimate glow. When it catches the light, the highlighter will make you look bright, fresh, and hydrated.
4. Avoid black or brown eyeliner.
Using a white or nude eyeliner on your waterline will make your eyes look larger and more open.
Try Rimmel’s Soft Kohl Kajal Eye Pencil in white for a smooth and creamy application, good pigment, and lasting wear. To add some definition to your eyes, opt for a brown or black eye shadow instead of eye liner; it creates a softer look while still giving your eyes some dimension. You can try a winged look for a more dramatic and lifted appearance, or just keep it simple and more natural — either way, it’s important to avoid lining around your entire eye. If you keep the liner on the outer corners of your lash lines only, it makes your eyes look more open and awake.
5. Wear bright lips and rosy cheeks.
Bring your face to life with a pop of color on your lips and a nice rosy cheek. Maybelline Color Sensational Vivids are creamy, hydrating lipsticks that are long lasting but don’t dry out your lips like some lipsticks can. Any of their seven bright shades are sure to make you look vibrant and fresh!
Try Milani’s Rose Powder Blush in Coral Cove, a highly pigmented blush where a little goes a long way. Adding some blush to your cheeks will make you look bright and fresh with a natural flush.
Try these tips the next time you want to hide your exhaustion. Not only will you look better, you’ll feel better. It’s amazing what a little makeup can do for a tired mama!
Photo Credit: Kristen Love
