5 Ways to Wake Up Looking Amazing
There are a few things that bug me in this world: Guys wearing jeans skinnier than mine; Kim Kardashian's faux love life; and unrealistic ideals created by movies. Don't get me wrong -- I love a good rom-com as much as the next gal. But nothing boils my blood more than the scenes when the girl wakes up the next morning in Ryan Gosling's bed looking gorgeous. No smudged mascara, blotchy skin, or puffy eye bags.
Yeah … I don't look that impeccably perfect when I wake up, even after a solid eight hours of blissful snooze time.
Related: The Best Makeup for Tired-Looking Skin
The reality is that no one wakes up looking fresh-faced, with perfectly tousled hair, and kissable breath. That's why movie characters have lighting directors and a team of hairstylists and makeup artists to hide those bags and spritz on some shine spray.
I may never have that posse of hair and makeup artists waiting by my bedside each morning, but these tips help me look good first thing in the a.m.
Sadly, I don't have any tips to prevent morning breath. You're on your own there.
ONE: USE A SATIN OR SILK PILLOWCASE
Though it's yet to be proven that sleeping on your side or stomach can cause true wrinkles, if you sleep on a cotton pillowcase you're more likely to wake up with sleep "wrinkles" or lines -- not pretty. Avoid this by using a silk or satin pillowcase. As a bonus, the satin and silk fabrics, unlike cotton, "will not cause your products to rub off as soon as your face hits the pillow," says Bruce Katz, MD, Director of the Cosmetic Surgery & Laser Clinic at Mount Sinai Medical Center. Which means that $50 night cream will actually have a chance at working its magic.
TWO:TRY MADE-FOR-NIGHTTIME PRODUCTS
Use a product formulated specifically to take advantage of the renewal state your skin is in when you're sleeping. "At night, the body's metabolic rate and cell production increases, allowing the body to repair damaged skin," says Katz. And, because your body temperature is slightly increased when you sleep, products have a better chance to be absorbed by your skin. So, if you use products that are formulated with active ingredients designed to help kick skin cell renewal into high gear, your skin cells will be healthier as a result. And, healthy skin cells mean more youthful and firmer-looking skin.
Related: Wake Up with Perfect Hair
THREE:GIVE YOUR HAIR A TREAT
Don't have time to squeeze a deep conditioning treatment into your morning routine? No worries, since it can actually be better to do at night. Treating hair while you sleep "allows the treatment to work unaffected [by daily wear and tear -- brushing, touching, etc.] and slowly infuses the treatment into the hair and cuticle," says Liam Carey, stylist at the Serge Normant at John Frieda Salon. To prep hair for the treatment, wash your hair as usual then blot it with a towel to remove excess moisture. Apply the treatment from roots to ends and let your hair dry a bit more before you head to bed, says Carey. Warning: You might want to swap your pretty pillowcase for an older one you don't care about, just in case the treatment stains the fabric. In the morning, simply rinse the conditioner and style your hair as usual.
FOUR:STEER CLEAR OF SALT
If you want to wake up looking fabulous, don't load up on salty foods. They'll make you retain water and "cause the skin to dehydrate," says Katz. Carbs should also be limited, as they can make your skin look puffy in the morning. As a rule, Katz suggests sticking to high-protein, low-carb meals and drinking six to eight glasses of water a day when you need to look your best the next morning.
Related: 8 Tips to Look Gorgeous in Minutes
FIVE:STYLE IN YOUR SLEEP
If you want to roll out of bed ready to walk out the door, try adding voluminous waves to your hair while you sleep. Simply "bust out the old scrunchie," says Carey and use it to secure your hair into a high bun at the top of your head. When you let your hair down in the morning, you'll have soft, pretty waves. If you want longer-lasting waves, apply a bit of styling cream or workable hairspray to your hair before securing it with your scrunchie.
More from TotalBeauty.com:
9 Timesaving Beauty Tips That'll Make Life Easier
Busy Gal's Guide to Skin Care
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