Fake Being Awake

It’s Monday morning, my eyes are looking pretty darn puffy right now. As is the rest of my face actually. On days like today there are a few products which I find myself reaching for for their superior tightening and brightening abilities!

Firstly, I use the REN Instant Firming Beauty Shot. It’s a gel serum which you can see and feel instantly lifts and firms up the skin, making it look smoother, tighter and more youthful! For a Monday morning it’s a life saver, getting rid of any evidence of a lack of sleep and instead supercharging the skin with moisture and it also encourages the elastin in your skin to firm up, so consistent use over time will have anti-aging effects too. I just apply one big drop from the pipette into the palm of my hand, then pat over my face and within a few seconds my skin has absorbed it and is ready for the first of my ‘awakening’ concealers!

My favourite concealer for heavy duty awakening action under the eyes is the Clarins Instant Concealer. It has colour correction for dark circles, masking them and restoring the colouration back to your usual skintone and its so easy to blend into your skin. I apply in a V shape, covering the under eye then going down to the middle of my cheeks too (this is the best way to apply under eye concealer) and then either pat in, or use a concealer brush such as the Zoeva Concealer Brush.

A fantastic high-street alternative is the Concealer from Topshop. It has a similar consistency to the Clarins and you hardly need to use any of the product. You can also use for dotting on blemishes, but for the under eye area it’s great as it’s’ not too cakey, has a slight yellowy tinge which counteracts any dark circles and again is easy to blend. I keep this one in my handbag makeup bag as it’s so dinky it is perfect for touch ups on the go!

Once you’ve applied the rest of your makeup, you may want to add a little something to brighten up your complexion – even if your eyes are camouflaged, dull skin can be a give-away for a lack of sleep! The Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder makes such a difference to your skin, giving a soft focus effect which creates a flattering hue to your skin. Its a very lightweight powder and won’t cake up skin, so even if you’re not a powder lover then you will still love the results from the Hourglass powder – if you’re near a Space NK, just go in and try it! There’s been loads of blogger hype around this for a reason! The Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder can also be found in the Fashion Mumblr Shop – the one place you can find all of my all time, highly recommended products!

The final step for me is to add a touch more brightening to my eyes using a white liner pencil. The high street has a really fabulous option from Barry M – it’s just £3.99 from Superdrug and so soft, almost feels liquid yet has the lasting power on the waterline of a far more pricey pencil. If you can afford to splash out a little more, then since photographing this post I’ve tried the Charlotte Tilbury Rock ‘N’ Kohl Liquid Eye Pencil – Eye Cheat. It’s a super smooth Nude shade which, like the Barry M creates the illusion of bigger, more ‘awake’ eyes. Both are water resistant but I have to say the Charlotte Tilbury pencil does have superior lasting powers!

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What are your favourite products for combatting that Monday Morning face?
P.S – Something hugely exciting is coming to Fashion Mumblr this Sunday, so be sure to check back here then!