Sleep deprivation and stress! How do I look better?

[cupcake78]

I knew I didn't look good but I never knew I looked this bad

I saw a photo of me yesterday and simply .

Dd is 5 months old, allergic to milk and its basically been a very stressful few months. Ds is 6 and is up early .

I'm majorly sleep deprived and exhausted. I have been eating too much of the wrong thing, drinking caffeine loaded drinks and doing anything I can to get through the day. I had no idea I looked this bad. I have massive dark circles under my eyes, I'm looking unfit, my hair has bee cut short but I'm not sure I like it after seeing this photo.

Each day I moisturise, use eye cream. I only wear tinted moisturiser and a bit of concealer, blush and mascara. The more makeup I wear the more tired I look IMO.

How do I look better? I have a works party next week and with the onslaught of photos being baby's first Christmas I need some serious help

Ooh I'm so with you! My DS is nearly 1 but I look about 10 years older than I did a year ago.

This is what I'm planning to do. It will be tough, but worth it (I hope)...

Drink LOOOOOAADS of water. 8 pints a day.

Eat no sugar. This is the hard bit. No caffeine or booze ideally too (maybe the odd cup of tea)

Do the Dr Perricone 3 day diet.

Go to bed really really early at least a couple of times per week, like 8.30pm.

Exfoliate your face, moisturise copiously and get a really good under eye concealer.

Get a brightening primer - I quite like mac strobe cream.

Hair coloured?

Your make up may be too cakey, or even not a good colour match (too pale or sallow)?. Can you go to get a free match and sample of foundation (Estee Lauder are quite good for this) or try something a bit more glowy? I like creme and liquid blusher (Daniel Sandler Watercolour blush and Bobbi Brown Creme) and foundation-wise Chanel vitalumiere.

What's your colouring and what colour mascara/eye liner etc do you use?

Second water and as much sleep as you can get.

Also a good multi vitamin / mineral supplement if your diet is not great.

Can I join please I look bloody awful! New baby and I have been ill with various bugs since the birth.
I have started to drink more water and eat more fruit and veg. The best I looked was just before I fell pregnant and was doing regular exercise. I have a plan to start back next week.
I wear quite alot of make up tbh but if applied well you can't tell. Blusher helps along with collection 2000 concealer for under the eyes. I also use origins face scrub which is excellent.

Concealer, foundation, blusher and mascara - will make you look human even when you don't feel it.

When you dry your hair put products in it so that it's a little "dry" - that way you can give it a bit of shape rather than it going lank and making you look "mumsy".

Finally, "this too will pass". My reflux/milk intolerance baby is now nearly 2 and I not only wear make-up every day but I moisturise my whole body daily!

I've started the water, better diet thing today. It's going to be tough but I have to do something! I don't drink alcohol. I do snack on anything available and I'm constantly starving

I'm pale in a good way. Hair dyed, many people have said how nice a colour it is (rich mahogany/dark red). I have no time to pamper. I've maybe moisturised 3 times in 5 months .

I have loads of makeup and tend to use brown eyeliner but not on the bottom.

Are you low in iron? That can contribute to dark circles.

No idea about my iron levels but I'm certainly trying to improve my diet to up my nutrition.

Origins Vitazing really helps to brighten the face, it's not cheap but it does work!

When you say you've only moisturised 3 times in the last 3 months, did you mean your face or your body? You really need to moisturise your face twice a day. It only takes a minute!

Body not face. I have to do my face twice a day! My skin is actually in ok condition it just looks grey with puffy bags . If I could sleep for a week it would solve it, only sadly that's not going to happen.

Oh get glam glow mask fe

Posted too soon. I got the supermud but the youth mud is probably also similar, dd is 3 and my dh said I looked 'haghard' on her birthday photos :( it's the best treatment product I've found.

Hi ladies,

I'm new-ish here, with a cuddly 2 week old dozing on my squishy belly

I too was in the best shape of my life pre-pregnancy. I'd lost weight and toned up for our wedding... So it's hard getting used to feeling frumpier (still in dressing gown, since yesterday morning!)

The one tip I'd recommend, while pricey, is some eyelash extensions. I know this sounds very 'TOWIE', but ask for a natural look and they will transform and completely wake up your face - plus, no need for mascara! Get them done now and they'll see you right through to new year.

The only problem? They can become addictive!

Ive been considering eyelash ext. I love the sound of them and would make them v unTOWIE.

how much roughly are they? Around £50 would you say?

I wear boots botanics bb cream which I find a lot more hydrating than foundation but still covers up blemishes/ bags.

My youngest is 12months but sleep is still erratic so well used to sleep deprivation.

Jalexis-it is only for a short time. I'm 8 weeks post birth and body is starting to get back to normal being fit before hand has really helped this time.

I'm lucky to have a beautician friend who does mine for £40. In London they can cost up to £100, but I suspect much less elsewhere in the UK!

Really looking forward to feeling a bit more 'me' by Christmas! Ordered a pretty nursing dress today for Christmas Day!