It’s suffice to say that, sometimes, those dark circles sinking beneath our eyes feel so big that they’d open up and swallow us whole.
Yes, tiredness and lethargy are very real things in this tech-booming time in history. I mean, who wouldn’t stay up until the early hours of the morning catching up on Instagram/Facebook/the latest episode of Suits.
The problem – said-exhaustion – can leave you feeling less than energetic; one of the consequences of this is that it can show up on your skin. And while it’s important to drink plenty of water and eat a healthy diet along with rest yourself before you wreck yourself, sometimes, all you need is a quick beauty fix to nix all those I-stayed-up-too-late-again #firstworldproblems.
Enter Michelle Cox, wizard with a mascara wand AKA make-up artist for Union, who’s here to save your day from becoming anything less than ordinary with her beauty tips for faking 8 hours’ shut-eye.
And don’t think you have to put all of these steps into practice to get that refreshing glow; just two steps at a time will leave you looking as wide-eyed as if you’d just thrown down a double-shot soy latte.
You’re welcome…
Replenish your skin with oil
After you normal skincare routine, pop on Dermalogica’s Phyto Replenish Oil, just make sure it doesn’t go anywhere near your T-zones (these areas can get really shiny!).
This oil gives the skin a bit of a plump up; I like to pop on my tinted moisturiser afterwards because this combination of products makes my skin feel silky smooth.
Mist your skin woes away in one spritz
If you spritz Jurlique’s Rosewater Balancing Mist throughout the day, especially if you are working under office fluorescents, this product will give an instant wake-up hit.
Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist, 100ml, $49, 50ml, $35, Jurlique.
Conceal the fact you’ve barely slept in days
My go-to for covering up those not-so-ideal blemishes and bags is Charlotte Tilbury’s Retoucher Concealer, which you can never be too “cakey” with.
It can be for the everyday Aussie gal, who likes baking under their eyes! It corrects all the redness around your nose and under-eye circles.
Charlotte Tilbury Retoucher Concealer, $57, Charlotte Tilbury.
Illuminate your best features (even if they currently appear to be as dull as an almost-gone light bulb)
My favourite product in go to in terms of make-up would have to be the Charlotte Tilbury Ibiza Beach Stick in Ibiza.
This dream product has illuminator in it, so it gives your skin that glow. I build it up under the jaw, forehead, and nose and bring it into the checks. Illuminator, contour and blush in one!
It is a small gold stick that is easy to carry in your bag, and is basically idiot proof.
Charlotte Tilbury Ibiza Beach Stick in Ibiza, $55, Charlotte Tilbury.
Get your glow on
Fact: LAURA MERCIER Bonne Mine Stick Face is your stop-drop-and-shimmer product and ismade for all skin types.
Then there’s gloss. I love Gilded Cage Charisma Lip Gloss – No. 83 in Natural Shimmer. OK, in the tube it may look really shimmery and daunting, but it will actually give you plump without the tackiness! You can never overuse this product; It has nourishing oil in it that goes on silky smooth.
LAURA MERCIER Bonne Mine Stick Face Colour, $33, David Jones.
Gilded Cage Charisma Lip Gloss – No. 83 in Natural Shimmer, $21, Gilded Cage.
^^ ONJ knows what’s good.
Lengthen those lashes
Everyone spends so much money on mascara and don’t curl their lashes. My favourite? shu uemura’s New Generation S Curler.
Trust me, even a 90-year-old grandma with no lashes can still get lift. They key is to go in on an angle and get right to the roots, thenpress gently and pop up.
It takes not even a minute.
