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How to hide fatigue when you’re burning the candle
Feeling exhausted is one thing, looking it is quite another. But it’s party season and learning how to hide tiredness can be almost as effective as a long nap. Here’s how:
SPRITZ ON HYDRATOR. Facial misters, especially those containing moisturisers and antioxidants, not only protect your skin, they leave it looking dewy and more youthful. Dermalogica’s Age Smart Antioxidant Hydra Mist ($79) is a favourite.
CURL YOUR EYELASHES. Your eyes will instantly appear wider and more open.
LIVEN YOUR CHEEKS. Cream blush patted into the apples of your cheeks makes you look perkier. Revlon Photo Ready Cream Blusher ($30) comes in three shades, blends easily and provides an instaglow.
USE CONCEALER. Lightweight concealer applied around the eyes will disguise bluish rings. If your eyes are puffy, apply a cold compress (cold teabags — black, not herbal — work a treat) and keep your eye cream in the fridge.
ADD A LITTLE SPARKLE. A soft shade of shimmer cream applied in the eye’s inner corner makes you look refreshed, even if you aren’t. Clinique’s Cream Shaper for Eyes ($40) is perfect.
WAKE UP LOOKING GREAT. Slather your face in moisturiser at bedtime – you will wake up looking younger, your skin tone more even. And it doesn’t need to be the expensive stuff; you can even use a thin veil of vaseline.
TRY A SPECIAL MASK. Twenty minutes or so with a powerful sheet mask like Fernz Skin Cell Rejuvenating Mask (29 for five), which contains bee venom and Swiss apple stem cells, will improve hydration and elasticity and reduce inflammation (particularly important if you’ve been in the sun).
MASSAGE YOUR SKIN WHILE CLEANSING. This gets the blood flowing. Using a sonic brush (the Cutisonic Sonic Face Cleansing Brush and Make Up Applicator, $125, is a good one) does the same job.
TANNING WHILE YOU SLEEP. Gradual tanners — the moisturising variety that contain reduced amounts of dihydroxyacetone — aren’t likely to streak or to stain the sheets as long as you allow them to fully absorb before jumping into bed. You will, however, wake looking and feeling a lot sunnier. Try Jbronze Gradual Tanning Cream ($30). Tracey Strange