by Does anyone else feel that no matter how much they plan to go to bed early…it never seems to happen? Every time my head hits the pillow and I fall asleep, I feel like my alarm clock goes off seemingly seconds later.
Don’t get me wrong: eight hours straight would be the dream. But for those of us for whom it’s probably just a dream, articles that insist on the need for this to ward off bags, falling and dementia are profoundly useless.
I don’t want to hear how my lack of sleep is probably the reason those few extra pounds aren’t shifting, or why my perfectly timed breakout is the result of not getting enough sleep. What I do need to know is how to remedy this situation and a foolproof plan for how to look like I’ve spent my seven to nine hours in bed.
Not stressing over the fact that you can’t sleep might make things better. Ultra-glamorous socialite and fashion entrepreneur Lauren Santo Domingo told me that no matter how early she wakes up, she gets up and gets down to business, and if need be, she takes a nap later.
Here are my nine wonders to wake up…
How to look less tired
1. Face massage
Personally, I don’t always have the energy to jump in and write an article or vacuum, but I can muster the enthusiasm for facial massage. Draining the fluid from your face will deflate it: instant improvement.
2.Turn on your glow
We have all seen the brilliance of cold water swimmers. If total immersion in the sea or local pond isn’t enough for you, try a blast of cold water at the end of your shower. Work up to 30 seconds and then a minute. It will wake up your body and your appearance. Even better, add some peppermint essential oil to your shower gel or body lotion.
3. fast
There is mounting evidence that intermittent fasting can have a powerful anti-inflammatory effect on the body. When we fast, glucose and insulin levels drop and the liver produces ketones, chemicals that inhibit inflammation and the breakdown of collagen and elastin. The key to success is finding the part of the day when you are least likely to feel hungry.
4. Be smart about ingredients
Get rid of the harsh ingredients that promise short term gains – I’m looking at retinol and strong acids. Celebrity Hollywood facialist Kate Somerville recommends peptides over retinol. “Peptides are a key driver for change,” she says. “They will help firm the skin and don’t have any of the irritating side effects that retinol can have.” Her new peptide cream is packed with a ton of stimulants.
5. Moisturize, hydrate, hydrate
Do you know how leather cracks if you don’t polish it? Somerville says. ‘The same with your skin. If you want to smooth out crow’s feet, use a serum, oil, and moisturizer at night. M&S Absolute Oil has a strong scent but gets rave reviews.
6. Moisturizing pillowcases
Yes, they sound very Princess and the Pea, but they are gentler on the skin and can reduce those wrinkles that last until mid-morning.
7. Start from within
Make sure you get plenty of healthy fats in your diet: omega 3s and vitamins A, C, D and K to encourage your skin to make its own collagen.
8. Do-it-yourself brow lift
Give yourself a mini brow lift by gently outlining over your brows. Grace Fodor, founder of Studio10, gave me this counterintuitive advice and it’s great: She gently colors the pale or colorless hairs above the brow to add some height to that arch. If you want, you can gel them instead. It’s a simple yet ultra-effective way to open your eyes.
9. The quick fix
Don’t forget some bright lip color – add three hours of sleep to your look.
The best beauty products to help you look less tired
