6 Makeup Tricks to Help You Look More Awake

Darken Your Eye Makeup

It may sound counterintuitive, but Lo says that darkening your eye makeup can actually help you look more awake. “Applying a darker eyeshadow than usual can mask puffiness,” she says. Once you blend out your eyeshadow, use a precise liquid eyeliner — like the Lancôme Idôle Liner — to trace a thin line along your lash line. This will help minimize the look of puffiness even more. 

Brighten Your Waterline

Using a white eyeliner along your waterline is a great brightening trick, but Irwin suggests enhancing the illuminating effect by applying a shimmery white or gold eyeliner along your waterline if you have fair to medium skin, or a bronzey-gold eyeliner for those with dark skin. “The right shade will brighten up redness,” she says. “Finish with lots of mascara — the contrast between dark lashes and a bright waterline really makes you look awake.”

Wear a Bright Lip Color

Both Irwin and Lo agree that swiping on a bright lip color immediately helps you look more awake “Adding color to the lips also adds vibrancy to your face and takes the focus away from your tired skin and eye areas,” says Lo.