8 Beauty Tips for Insomniacs

Use a Hard Boiled Egg for Dark Circles

Without a doubt, dark circles are a guaranteed part of sleepless nights. And sure, concealer goes a long way, but improving your under-eye circulation also keeps under-eye shadows at bay.

“Remove the yolk and wrap the egg white in a soft light cloth while it’s still hot,”  says Cecilia Wong, New York City facialist and founder of Cecilia Wong Skincare. “Roll the cloth gently over your eyes for a few minutes to enhance circulation.” 

Energize Your Skin

Sleep-deprived skin can look anything but radiant, as ashy and gray-tones make the skin look dull and lifeless. To give your skin a boost, adding some energizing skin care products to your morning regimen may do the trick.

“Skin can look gray and lifeless with limited sleep, so it is important to use products which wake the skin up,” says Maria Hatzistefanis, president and founder of Rodial. “I like to use the Rodial Super Acid Hangover Mask ($56), which brings skin back to life through a cocktail of acids.”

Beat Puffiness With a Spoon

Concealer works wonders on dark circles, but it’s never wise to use cover-up on puffy eyes. To cut down the swelling and inflammation before you conceal, try using chilled spoons in the morning to help revitalize your eye area.

“Leave a silver spoon in the freezer overnight, and in the morning, place the back on each eyelid for 15 minutes,” says Wong. “This can give your eyes a more energized look.” 

Find the Right Kind of Concealer

Let’s be real: Concealer is a godsend when you’re low on sleep. However, finding the right shade can be extremely complicated. To precisely counteract any red, blue or purple hues lingering beneath your eyes, it’s best to choose a concealing product with the right undertones.

“Apply a concealer or color corrector with an orange-peach tone base to counteract any darkness,” says makeup artist Chase of Depasquale the Spa.

But Make Sure You’re Applying Concealer Correctly

But instead of dabbing your concealer underneath your eyes, applying your product in the shape of a triangle helps avoid any creasing or application blunders.

“Applying the concealer in a triangle shape underneath your eyes will work best to brighten and conceal,” says celebrity makeup artist Jessica Hoffman. “Using the warmth of your fingertip to pat in the product will help make it look ultra-natural.”

Use a Cream Blush

When it comes to facial makeup, look for shades that conceal any lingering redness. Like concealer, using rose and peach toned blushes gives dull skin an instant boost.

“A cream blush in a rosy or peach-toned hue always helps to deflect attention away from a tired complexion,” says makeup artist Jo Levy. “A brighter hue on cheeks adds an instant pop of color that will deflect attention away from a tired look.”

Dot Your Liner

Little to no sleep doesn’t have to mean liner looks are off limits. To get that cat’s-eye look fast, try dotting your liner on your lids to speed up makeup application.

“Press your finger gently on your eyelid and with the other hand, make controlled little dashes along the lash line,” says Jose Rivera, Benefit Makeup Master. “The gentle pressing stifles the blinking that could compromise your liner. Simply connect the dots to fill in the holes and complete the look.”

Always Stay Hydrated

Yes, we get that no sleep usually means lots of coffee. However, making sure you consume enough water is crucial, as water helps oxygenate tired-looking skin. 

“Drink water,” says Hatzistefanis. “You need to hydrate from the inside to ensure that your skin is hydrated. This will also keep your energy levels high when tired.”