Despite lots of effort I still look tired! Any tips?

[Jemster]

I am pretty tired a lot of the time (as we all are!) and it really shows on my face despite my best efforts.
I wear tinted moisturiser, clinique concealer & cream blusher and mascara all of which I think looks nice when first applied. By lunchtime though it seems to have worn off and I look tired and pasty.

It's especially annoying when I look at photos and the dark circles under my eyes are really noticeable but when I look in mirror they seem ok.

I'm 39 with 2 lively dc's, a job & a health condition so know I'm not going to look fresh as a daisy but I would like to look a bit less worn out!

Any tips please?

[Greengardenpixie]

Im no expert but a little blusher on the apples of cheeks works wonders! Helps the pastiness and perks you up.

[violetbunny]

I have oily skin and find that my makeup stays on a lot better if I touch up during the day (blot/powder as needed). The products you are using don't sound like they are particularly long wearing. I really like the Estée Lauder Double Wear BB cream and Double Wear Brush on Glow highlighter (the latter is basically a concealer pen) as they are glowy but long wearing and great for waking up tired skin. Blush is a great way to wake up the complexion but cream blushes typically don't have great staying power, so perhaps try a cheek stain (Becca Beach Tint from SpaceNK is great) or powder blush (try Nars or Bobbi Brown) for longer wear. A subtle bronzer goes a long way too.

Also as skincare, diet and sleep will affect how tired you are looking, make sure you have these covered - makeup will only do so much.

[Jemster]

Thank you pixie. I find it hard to get blusher right. The cream feels nice as my skin can be a little dry but I don't think it lasts well.
If I use a powder one I do definitely look healthier but I'm worried about overdoing it without realising.
When I've had blusher done at make up counters they seem to apply very little, very lightly whereas I think I need more.
What's the best way to do it and should I go back to powder blush?

[violetbunny]

Just to add, a light application of pressed powder and using an illuminating primer could also help. Both will help makeup stay on, and an illuminating primer will give you a bit more radiance. Dior and Laura Mercier do great illuminating primers.

[Jemster]

Thanks violet. I have tried bronzer recently which did make me look healthier but then a guy at work asked me if I'd been away as I was looking 'tanned' so i thought I must have overdone it!

[violetbunny]

Re the powder blush, invest in a decent blush brush to help with application. A stippling brush can also be used if you want to apply product very sheerly to build it up. If you over apply blush it's usually easy to fix by blending away with a clean brush.

[violetbunny]

Oh dear! I think bronzer can be tricky as it isn't easy to pick the right shade, and less is more. Laura Mercier do a fantastic range of sheer baked bronzers (matte radiance) which come in a load of colours including some fairly pale shades, which I love using in winter when I just need a hint of colour.

[Petal02]

I agree with the poster who said that if you have oily skin you'll probably need to touch up your make-up during the day. I have oily skin, and need to blot, re powder, reapply blusher and eyeliner at lunch time. It only takes 2 mins, but I then look alive again!

[holdyourown]

how about fake tan? lancome flash bronzer is good and easy to put on

[LeapingOverTheWall]

can I ask a stupid question Petal02 (or anyone)? When you say "blot and repowder" - what exactly do you mean, and what do you use? makeup/skincare beginner here.

[Greengardenpixie]

Fake tan can be quite good too. If you are apprehensive just get stuff for face or apply when you have moisturised. Remember to do neck and wash hands after. As for applying blusher. I apply at the fullest part of my cheek then blend. If you arent sure give a cheezy grin in the mirror! You could also use youtube. Its fab for seeing ideas in action. As for colour, punch cheeks. What colour are they? Try and match with that.

[Greengardenpixie]

er pinch cheeks ha ha... not punch lol....

[noddyholder]

I add a drop of fake tan to moisturiser all winter about twice a week covers the bags and stops me looking knackered!

[Greengardenpixie]

powder has staying power but cream blusher is more natural and easier to get right.

[coffeenut]

Photos often make you pastier, make blemishes more prominent etc - hence you need more makeup (and more coverage) for photography than you need for every day. Mirror lighting makes a lot of difference too.

I would look dreadful with just a BB cream and cream blush by end of day. I need long lasting foundation (I use revlon - and therefore dont need concealer), mascara (Dior) and powder blush (I use Clinique - put a dab on the apples of your cheeks and then blend upwards along cheekbone). The keys to making me look more awake makeup wise are - a dark black mascara that stays put and only on my upper lashes. Peachy/pink blush. A very light sweep of NARS Laguna bronzer on forehead and cheeks.

[WildBillfemale]

Wear green, a green top or green scarf or green earrings. Layer green with white.

Pick the correct hue for you (either yellow greens or blue greens)
It always makes people look fresher.

[Riverland]

Drink lots more water, eat salad for lunch, go gluten free. Soak as often as you can in the bath with Epsom salts.

Make up can only do so much, and as you said...it wears off!

[ThisBitchIsResting]

Drinking water during the day definitely helps me look more fresh round the eyes by the end of a working day.

I also add more blusher and lippy halfway through the day. You don't mention lippy? Doesn't have to be anything drastic - Revlon lip butter in Truffle is a good 'my lips but better' one.

And not too much carby food at lunch - pasta or a baked potato and I'm a puffy mess by 3pm.

[thisissohard]

ThisBitch is right. Lots of water through the day keeps me looking fresh. Plus, a good primer and light foundation. I also use Revlon Lip Butter in Pink Truffle. It's a brilliant everyday shade.

[JohnCusacksWife]

What colour clothes do you generally wear? I used to largely wear greys & blacks and always felt I looked worn out. Then I had my colours done and introduced much more colour to my wardrobe and the difference is quite startling. Perhaps you could think about clothes as well as your makeup?

[Petal02]

Leaping to explain 'blot and re-powder': I blot my face with a tissue, loo roll, paper towel etc to get rid of the excess oil, and the apply a thin layer of loose powder. I use Corn Silk loose powder. There's no point powdering over an oily surface. Oily skin is a real nuisance.

I agree with the posters who mention drinking more water, I'd always dismissed this but tried it recently and it makes a huge difference.

[bauhausfan]

I second anything in the Estee Lauder Double wear range - it makes me look like a different person!

[Viviennemary]

You could try Yoga or meditation. Or getting extra help in the house if you can afford it. It's all very well looking for that magic cosmetic but in the end if you're always tired you might get ill or run down.

[LeapingOverTheWall]

thanks Petal - I've ordered some of the powder from Amazon, so will give it a go next week

[Jemster]

Would the revlon pink truffle suit an olivey skintone?