How to Look More Awake: Expert Tips to Perk Up Your Look When You’re Sleep Deprived

Celia Macarelli for The Upside Blog

by | Updated: January 3rd, 2024 | Read time: 6 minutes

Nothing feels quite as refreshing as a full night of quality REM. However, for many, this isn’t always the reality. Late nights of parenting, partying or productivity can leave you looking (and feeling) like a zombie. Baggy eyes, tired skin and dark shadows are all dead giveaways to fatigue.

While everyone experiences restless nights from time to time, there are several ways to conceal the evidence and put your best foot forward. If you’re all too familiar with interrupted, lackluster sleep, grab a cup of coffee and stay tuned for beauty tips on how to look more awake.

How to Look More Awake

Reduce puffiness with a gua sha

Koa Life Rose Quartz Gua Sha Massage Tool -Koa Life Rose Quartz Gua Sha Massage Tool

Daily facial gua sha aids in lymphatic drainage, reducing puffiness and sculpting the face. Using facial oil to prevent friction, glide a gua sha along your under eyes, forehead, cheeks, jawline and neck making 3-5 upward passes. This Koa Life massage tool promotes circulation, reduces visible signs of aging, and detoxifies the skin. Made of entirely rose quartz crystal, this gua sha will help to wake up and sculpt your face.

Use brightening under-eye patches

Derma E Vitamin C Bright Eyes Gel PadsDerma E Vitamin C Bright Eyes Gel Pads

To de-puff and perk up the appearance of your under eyes, use brightening patches made specifically to wake up the area. These Derma E Vitamin C Bright Eyes Gel Pads are made with vitamin B3, allantoin, and caffeine, and are vegan and cruelty-free. These cooling gel patches work to brighten, tighten, nourish, soothe, reduce inflammation and the appearance of wrinkles and improve the appearance of dull or tired under eyes.

Wake up your face with caffeine

Derma E Vitamin C No Dark Circles Perfecting Eye CreamDerma E Vitamin C No Dark Circles Perfecting Eye Cream

Caffeine is useful for more than just your morning cup of joe- it can also wake up your skin. Skincare products with caffeine are an effective way to perk up your eye area. This Derma E eye cream is made with caffeine, vitamin C and golden turmeric for a power trio of ingredients that’s vegan and cruelty-free. This eye cream supports collagen health, brightens the skin, improves the appearance of sun damage, minimizes puffiness and dark circles, and reduces the appearance of blemishes for radiant, energized skin. It helps to color correct the appearance of dark circles to immediately look more well-rested.

Hydrate your skinAcure Ultra Hydrating Plant Ceramide Daily Facial Lotion

Acure Ultra-Hydrating Plant Ceramide Daily Facial Lotion

Plump, dewy skin provides a healthy glow that can counter the appearance of exhaustion. This Acure Ultra Hydrating Plant Ceramide facial lotion is an everyday moisturizer that can help to refresh the appearance of dry or dull skin. This 100% vegan and cruelty-free formula is made with plant ceramides, niacinamide, and rice bran oil to provide intense hydration, reinforce the skin’s moisture barrier, even the skin tone and reduce the appearance of pores.

Camouflage sleepy under eyes with concealer

Ecco Bella FlowerColor Cover Up BeigeEcco Bella FlowerColor Cover Up Beige

Dark under eyes are a common clue of sleepless nights. Using a shade of concealer that’s a bit lighter than your skin tone can help to brighten the eye area and look more alert. This Ecco Bella concealer stick provides high-quality coverage to camouflage dark eye circles. Made with natural ingredients like castor oil, beeswax, jojoba oil and organic chamomile oil, this concealer is hydrating without being too greasy and is suitable for sensitive skin.

Use lighter eyeshadows

Pacifica Pink Nudes Mineral Eye ShadowsPacifica Pink Nudes Mineral Eye Shadows

Avoid creating extra shadows around the eyes by using lighter pigments. Light eyeshadow shades will brighten up the area and prevent your look from emphasizing any indicators of a sleepless night. This Pacifica Pink Nudes palette includes a variety of light, pink and brown pigments to create a wide range of looks- from “no makeup makeup” to a smokey chocolate eye. These mineral eye shadows are infused with coconut oil for a velvety finish and a rich color payoff.

Lift your eyes with liner

Gabriel ZuZu Luxe Liquid Eyeliner RavenGabriel ZuZu Luxe Liquid Eyeliner Raven

Creating an upward wing will lift the appearance of your eyes and make you look more well-rested. This Gabriel ZuZu liquid liner is water-resistant, vegan and cruelty-free. The calligraphy-style fine-tip applicator glides on easily for precise execution. Create a thicker line on your lid and add an optional cat-eye wing to draw attention upward and lift the appearance of your eyes.

Define your lashes with added curl and volume

Pacifica Activist Volume & Curl Mascara​​Pacifica Activist Volume & Curl Mascara

Curl your lashes and add a volumizing mascara to emphasize your eyes and make them look more awake. This Pacifica mascara adds volume and curl to your lashes for long-lasting, weightless dimension. The bottle is made of glass to reduce plastic waste and the formula is composed of 96% naturally derived ingredients like plant waxes, fibers, oils and vegan collagen. This mascara works to nourish, volumize, lengthen, curl and condition the lashes.

Frame your face with defined brows

Pacifica Dream Big Brushed Up BrowsPacifica Dream Big Brushed Up Brows

The eyebrows are the frame of the face- they make a big impact on your appearance. To look more awake, define your brows by filling them in and giving them a lift. Similar to the role of eyeliner and mascara, defined brows lift the gaze and can help make you look less tired. Add concealer and a subtle highlight to your browbone to help carve out and lift your brows even more.

This Pacifica brow brush is made with ingredients like vegan collagen, rice bran wax, jojoba oil and plant fibers for full, fluffy, nourished brows. The formula is vegan, cruelty-free and made to hold brows in place without creating too much stiffness.

Highlight the inner corners of your eyes

Mineral Fusion Highlighter PaletteMineral Fusion Highlighter Palette – Stargazing

Adding a pop of highlight to your inner corners will have an eye-opening effect to help you look more awake. This refillable Mineral Fusion palette includes four highlighter shades made for long-lasting wear. The formula is made of lightweight minerals and nutrient-rich botanicals for a radiant finish that can be used to accentuate the inner eye corners and high points of the face.

Add a pop of color with blush

Pacifica Fluffy Blushy Blush - BlushedPacifica Fluffy Blushy Blush – Blushed

Adding a fresh, rosy glow to the cheeks is an effective way to bring some color back to your face. Blend the color upwards towards your temples to lift and sculpt your face. Cream formulas are best for a dewy, natural flush of color. This Pacifica blush has a whipped texture that’s lightweight, creamy and buildable. It’s vegan, cruelty-free, and is infused with vegan collagen for added hydration.

Finish with a bold lip

Ecco Bella FlowerColor Lipstick RosewoodEcco Bella FlowerColor Lipstick Rosewood

Nothing says polished like a bold lip. Add a swipe of colorful lipstick to pull your look together and appear more awake. This Ecco Bella lipstick is vegan and made with ingredients like castor oil, vitamin E and organic jojoba oil for a nourishing, rich color payoff with serious staying power.

Get a solid night of sleep

New Chapter Magnesium + AshwagandhaNew Chapter Magnesium + Ashwagandha

These tips may be all about how to look more awake when you didn’t get a solid night of rest. However, magnesium is a game-changer if you struggle to fall asleep. Magnesium is an essential mineral that can help aid in melatonin production. This New Chapter magnesium supplement is easily absorbable and made with Ashwagandha for an extra boost of calm. These supplements support heart, bone and muscle health while promoting healthy nerve transmission and aiding in relaxation. Always consult with a professional before adding a new supplement to your routine.