How to Never Look Tired Again (Really!)

by Maureen Choi

In some of the most depressing beauty findings in recent history, studies in Sweden found that sleep-deprived people were perceived as less attractive--wait for it--sadder than the same subjects well rested. Annoying, right? After all, "sleep-deprived" includes most of us, since the average woman gets only six and a half hours a night, not the eight doctors say she requires. Clearly, we all need more shut-eye--but in the meantime, we could use a little magic to help us outwit the Swedish data and fake "awake." Here, the tricks every sleepy woman should know:

If you have puffy eyes:
The cause: The female body retains water (high sodium intake can make it worse; so can being premenstrual). And when you're sleep-deprived or stressed, tissues swell and fluids pool around your eyes even more.

The 3-minute fix: Give yourself a quick morning massage with a brightening eye cream like Olay Fresh Effects Bright On Schedule Eye Awakening Cream ($13, at drugstores). Chill it in the fridge overnight or, if you're up for a splurge, get some cooling massage spheres to manually flush fluid from around your eyes. Next, resist the urge to apply tons of concealer and dark eye makeup--it'll just make your eyes look worse. "Curl lashes and swipe on two coats of volumizing mascara," says makeup artist Diane Kendal, who used that light-handed technique on tired models backstage at Thakoon for spring.

Long-term help: If you're prone to puffiness in general, take before-bed precautions. Tap a caffeine-spiked eye cream like MAC Fast Response Eye Cream ($31, dillards.com) beneath each eye, and once it's absorbed--stay with us here--stick on medical-grade paper tape. (Find it in the bandage aisle at your drugstore.) Looks strange, but sleeping taped up "physically compresses blood vessels and keeps fluid from pooling," says New York City dermatologist Ellen Marmur, M.D.

Pro investment: If your bags don't respond to any of the steps above, you do have medical options (though they're pricey). "Radio-frequency procedures like Thermage [from $750 per session] heat the deeper dermal layer of your skin to tighten and build collagen with zero downtime," says Dr. Marmur. "And it takes only one or two treatments to see your undereye bags contract like Shrinky Dinks." You'll notice continual improvement over six months, with results lasting several years.

See more: 13 Sneaky Habits That Can Cause Acne

If you have dark circles (yes, the raccoon look):
The cause: Circles are actually broken capillaries and blood vessels showing through thin undereye skin. Being tired makes it more obvious; so does suffering from a cold or having a history of sun damage.

The 3-minute fix: You need a concealer cocktail: First, apply an apricot-hued corrector like Eve Pearl Dual Salmon Concealer ($39, evepearl.com)--which comes in shades for all skin tones--to get rid of any hints of blue. Next, mix a liquid or cream concealer, in a shade that matches your skin, with loose powder and pat it under your eyes with your ring finger. "The powder beefs up coverage without looking cakey," says makeup artist Daniel Martin.

Long-term help: Figure out what's causing your dark circles. If your eyes flare up only during allergy season, take an over-the-counter antihistamine to prevent blood from pooling and stop you from rubbing your eyes, advises Richard Glogau, M.D., a clinical professor of dermatology at the University of California at San Francisco. If the dark circles are hereditary (thanks, Mom), retinol creams like Roc Retinol Correxion Eye Cream ($21, walgreens.com) can help build collagen and make the skin more opaque. If you have dark patches on your skin, try bleaching creams with 2 percent hydroquinone or natural brighteners like licorice or daisy extract (found in Burt's Bees Brightening Eye Treatment, $17, target.com). And use an SPF 30+ sunscreen daily to head off future discoloration.

Pro investment: Got chronic panda eyes and want game-changing results? Dr. Glogau recommends hyaluronic acid injections like Restylane or Juvéderm Voluma XC (be warned--they're expensive at an average $550 per treatment). They "fill in the sunken area and prop up the lower eyelid so it doesn't sag and appear so dark," he says. Needle-phobes can also try Intense Pulsed Light (IPL), a fairly painless procedure ($200 to $350 per session) in which a handheld device is flashed over the area to break up dark melanin and constrict blood vessels. Just be prepared for annual touch-ups on both treatments.

Your Wide-Awake Kit:
To brighten dark circles: Clinique Even Better Eyes ($40, nordstrom.com); To firm your skin: Orlane B21 Extraordinaire ($250, neimanmarcus.com); To soothe dryness: H2O Plus Eye Oasis Instant Hydrating Stick ($26, h2oplus.com); To even out skin tone: Chanel CC Cream ($55, chanel.com); To soften fine lines (and pillow creases!): Philosophy Miracle Worker Overnight Moisturizer ($68, qvc.com); To minimize puffiness: Bella Schneider Beauty Globes ($75 for two, labelledayspas.com); To strengthen thin undereye skin: Peter Thomas Roth Neuroliquid Eye Serum ($85, beauty.com)

See more: 10 Trends to Try in 2014

If your skin's a little dull in the morning:
The cause: Your skin cells repair at night, so when you miss out on sleep, you cut short that process and can wake up looking a little paler and more sallow first thing. The 3-minute fix: Do 10 jumping jacks (we're serious; it gets blood flowing). Then exfoliate with a spinning brush like Mary Kay Skinvigorate Cleansing Brush ($50 for a three-piece set, marykay.com) and load on a heavy-duty moisturizer.

Long-term help: Your goals are to boost circulation and keep your skin hydrated so it doesn't look dull. For the first, commit to a quick DIY facial massage morning and night: "Put on face oil or your favorite serum and sweep upward with your fingertips, then do a series of small, gentle pinches to bring color to the surface," says London-based facialist Sarah Chapman. For goal two: Before bed, smooth on a mask to seal in moisture (try Kiehl's Ultra Facial Overnight Hydrating Masque, $35, kiehls.com). And--basic reminder--drink water.

Pro investment: If your at-home regimen isn't cutting it, try a series of three microdermabrasion sessions done two weeks apart (about $150 a treatment) to jump-start glowing skin, suggests New York City dermatologist Heidi Waldorf, M.D. Now close this magazine and go to bed!

Which of these skin-refreshing tricks will you be trying?

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