Sick of looking like shit! A few crap nights of sleep add years!

[LookLikeS]

Hi,

So I'm going through a phase (better bloody be a phase!) of waking in the night and not being able to drop back off.

On top of feeling like shit, I also look like shit and it's really getting me down. It's my eyes mainly. Honestly, they look hideous and it doesn't matter what I do. Under eye masks, serums, creams, lymph massage, colour corrector, concealers - I've tried them all and nothing seems to help.

Any tips or magic remedies that actually work? 🙏

TIA

How old are you? Any chance it could be hormonal sleep disruption?

An hour of sleep before midnight is worth two after midnight. It is a tricky one as I often have trouble sleeping, and to overcome it, I tried getting up earlier. It worked quite well. That and not drinking coffee after 2pm.

I can't say anything about potions, but getting better quality sleep helped enormously.

@ferretface I'm 40 this year, so probably yes. Although this isn't really that new for me. I just can't believe the difference a poor night's sleep can make to your face so quickly!

@HappiestSleeping yes, I've heard that. I actually don't have caffeine after 10am. Usually only a couple in the morning.

I found this, once I hit late 30s sleep could just totally change my face. I think it’s best to get to the root of it as creams etc can only do so much, there’s a great book called Sleep by Michael Walker that might help. Maybe try a different routine for a bit.

@Morvillehrs it's almost certainly anxiety and OCD in the form of intrusive, repetitive thoughts, but I have been much better. I had a bit of a break through, where I essentially just didn't worry about it. Sounds too simple, but it was working for me some how, so I'm really hoping this is just a blip. As I say though, I'm just amazed just how quickly it shows on your face. I hate to sat this, but I honestly do feel quite ugly now.

Ramp up your moisturiser. Wear mascara and eyeshadow, it helps draw your a eyes away. Bright lipstick. Smile when you look in the mirror.

@LookLikeS I know what you mean, I had a year of no sleep and stress and I looked awful, drawn and wiped out but I’m ok now, yeah I look older each year lol but now my sleep is better my face sort of looks lifted, my eyes are not heavy etc. it’s not nice when this stuff manifests on your Face is it, it just felt like a reminder and I used to use the bathroom with the light off!!

@learieonthewildmoor I actually cried a little when I looked in the mirror this morning 🫣 and this was after I had applied all the lotions and concealer. I understand that the lack of sleep will also be making me more emotional though. A smile would be difficult, but maybe I'll give it a go 😊

I feel your pain! Sometimes when I get ready for work I think they must have think I've pulled an all nighters I look so rough.

First thing when you wake up drink a pint of water. It will instantly rehydrate from inside where creams are only superficial on the surface.

Also get a tube of overnight acid peel and use a couple of times a week. Gets all the dead skin off leaving fresher skin ready to moisturise.

I know someone who drinks hot water with lemon through the day and she looks so fresh and defo has not had any work done.

Let us all know if you find a miracle cure!!!

Feel for you. After years of emotional abuse from ex and sleepless nights with baby and then toddler, I looked so haggard. I went for Botox and Profhilo and look a million times better. Eating better and generally being calmer I think has also helped. I’m also sure you look better than you imagine OP

@EveryOtherNameTaken it's rubbish isn't it? Do you use the acid peel under your eyes? I definitely do need to remind myself to drink more water. I drink more than I used to, but still not enough.

@RosieAway I'm sorry to hear that. I hope things are better for you now. Regarding the profhilo, did you notice a difference under your eyes too? This is something I've been interested in, but hear very mixed reviews generally.

Fake tan on your face

Only wear colours that suit you

Hello! I too stay awake with anxious/intrusive thoughts. I would look/feel/sleep better when I'd been regularly out walking/running.
Go fecking bananas otherwise.
And drink water. So boring but there it is!
I like the comment about the bright lipstick and smile in mirror... fake it til you make it!
Take care x

Oh yeah agree with @Sœtr walk whenever you can. Walking all the short distances through the day burns off the stress hormones. Not many people walk now. Good luck x

Firm pillow with a real silk pillowcase (don't buy cheap off Amazon, get the real deal from Slip or Mummr). Get your eyebrows microbladed and your eyelashes tinted. Botox sprinkles. Drink 6 pints of plain water a day.

Frankly, all the lotions and potions in the world aren't going to do much at all. Spend your money on a top class Botox practitioner (an actual qualified doctor/dentist. Certainly not Libbie-Mae who works at Eternal Beauty).

@coxesorangepippin I've heard fake tan can help with this, but I'm particularly pale and worried I'll look a bit orange.

@Sœtr Yes, I definitely need to exercise more. I was actually, but have just realised I've let it slip a bit over the past week or so.

OP, you mentioned caffeine, but not booze. Are you fond of a glass of wine a night? I discovered (it took me years of suffering insomnia) that I just couldn't drink at all and get a good night's sleep. And exactly your pattern - waking after a few hours, anxious, can't get back to sleep, cruise to the beginning of the day feeling horrendous.

So, no booze. Keep the caffeine down to mornings. Water. (but maybe not last couple of hours before sleeping).

Walk during the day. Do 15 minutes strength stuff (push ups, sit-ups, Russian twists, planks, glute bridges, calf raises, side planks/raises) once or twice a day if you can manage it. Then a nice stretch out - downward dog will stretch everything all at once, so very efficient.

Get to bed an hour earlier. Take all your make-up off, take a good book to bed rather than phone or laptop.

Sali Hughes recommends tanning drops for a subtle glow. And a nice blush - something like Glossier or Nars cream formulations.

Good luck, sleep deprivation is horrendous, take care of yourself!

@BigSkies2022 I do drink at the weekends and it can definitely affect my sleep. A glass or two, I sleep fine, but if I have more, then it definitely reduces the quality. I have thought about going teetotal. Saying that, here doesn't always appear to be a correlation, as this can happen in the week, but perhaps it takes a long time to get out of your system.

Youtube - Pretty Upfront- Sali Hughes - how to look less tired.

Agree with wearing colours that suit you; it will brighten your skin.

I’m hearing you! I’ve been looking hideous!
things that have helped:
cooling eye mask , reusable gel one(kept in the fridge) for a few mins in the morning.
walking off my worries a little
more water.
good night cream and a big spray of St Moritz face mist before bed, this has had the biggest impact, I’m pale and it just gives me a buildable glow, no rubbing in either, so easy.
caffeine eye cream - inkey list I think?
Ashwaganda to help calm me and sleep better, def works.
nighttime tea. (Tick tock is my favourite)
read before bed.

I too increasingly look like shit when I haven’t slept. eye stuff helps a bit - I use the lily Lolo eye primer and it does make my eyes look less sunken and grey (!), though doesn’t stay on that well. The best thing is just adding more colour to my face with blusher and lipstick - sort of wakes your face up. Go a couple of shades brighter than you think!!

I feel you, I have a newborn so also looking like a walking zombie.

I find the bobbi brown vitamin enriched face base makes my skin look better and fresher. Primark do a decent copy if you're on a tight budget.

Only thing that makes my eyes look better is a decent layer of mascara.

Have you tried yoga nidra before sleep? It's saved me honestly. Be open minded and try it. Ally boothroyd and the mindful movement are both excellent. The root is good sleep rather than the skincare, though I have found beauty pie under eye reflective concealer is incredibly good to hide dark circles

Laura Mercier has a tinted bronzer that is great for fair skin. I bought the No.1 Sunshine and it was the same tone as my skin, had to go up to No.2 Sundrop.
Put a little highlighter cream or powder in the corner of your eyes, as well. Sometimes I tap it around my eyes really lightly.