6-Minute Makeup: How to Fake a Full 8 Hours Sleep

As a new mum, your chances of getting a decent night’s sleep are pretty non-existent, but that doesn’t mean you can’t pretend. All you need is six itty bitty minutes and a few wonder prods to fake it ‘til you make it. 

Step 1: Prep

Start with a freshly cleansed face (the cold water will help pep you up and gently massaging the product into your face will boost circulation for healthier looking skin, especially if you use an exfoliating cleanser like Neutrogena Pore Refining Exfoliating Cleanser), then apply some Clarins Beauty Flash Balm. I swear by this product to instantly tighten and brighten the skin, which is exactly what you want after a rubbish night’s sleep. It’s also great for under makeup, helping it to glide evenly and giving added luminosity. 

Step 2: Moisturise

The last thing you want when your skin is stressed is a cakey, thick foundation. Pop on a lightweight, tinted moisturiser, like theBalm Shelter Tinted Moisturizer, which will give your skin a refreshing drink while imparting radiance. 

Step 3: Conceal dark circles 

But you’re going to need to call in the big guns to sort out those dark circles. Laura Mercier’s Secret Camouflage is a fab creamy concealer duo that allows you to custom blend two shades for seamless coverage of dark circles and skin imperfections.

Step 4: Fake wide-awake eyes

Now you’ve aced your base, it’s time to pay attention to your sleep-deprived peepers. First step to fake a full eight hours is to gently curl the lashes with a good quality eyelash curler, like the Classic Lash Curler from Tweezerman. Next up, apply one or two coats of mascara. I like theBalm’s Cheater! Mascara for adding volume and length. 

Step 5: Highlight

We’re not suggesting you go the full Kim Kardashian contouring route (ain’t no mamma got time for that), but some well placed highlighter will give you a healthy glow. Chella’s Highlighter Pencil in Ivory Lace is great for this. The creamy pencil can be applied wherever you need some extra radiance – think cheeks, brow bone, cupid’s bow and nose – but for a really eye-opening effect (and if you’re short on time), simply apply to the waterline to open the eyes. 

Step 6: Tidy those brows

If you’re less than blessed in the brow department, filling in the gaps with a product as close as possible to your natural colour will really help frame the face. Pencils and powders can take more time and expertise, so a brow mascara like Benefit’s Gimme Brow is a great time saver, and pretty fool-proof. 

Step 6: Distract with bright lips

If all else fails, a bright and cheery lip colour is a great distracting technique. LAQA&Co’s Cheeky Lip in Humble Brag is a lovely, soft, matte crayon in a rosy pink shade that doubles as a lipstick and creamy blush.

WANT TO JOIN BELLABABY FOR FEBRUARY? THERE’S STILL TIME! JOIN NOW.