Five ways to look awake after the holidays

At the beginning of each year, we’re always faced with that one struggle that brings us right on back to reality. That is, how on Earth we are going to get back into the swing of things after the holiday break. 

Christmas and New Year’s are all fun and games until your alarm starts blaring on that first day back at work. Oh joy.

Here are five tips to look bright eyed and bushy tails on those days when you just can’t keep your eyes open.

First and foremost, banish those dark circles.

Dark circles are the most obvious giveaway that you haven’t slept half as much as you needed to.

Apply a light concealer under the eyes to brighten the area and cancel out any dark shadows.

Be sure to set your concealer in place with a loose powder. Creased concealer is just going to make things look a whole lot worse, trust me!

Open up your eyes.

To fake the appearance of big, bright eyes without prying them open with pegs, focus on the lashes and ditch the black liner.

Curling your lashes and applying a volumising mascara that lifts and curls will open up your eyes and lift the eyelids.

To brighten the eyes even more, line your waterlines with a white or nude eyeliner pencil. Dark eyeliners will make your eyes appear smaller than they really are.

Light up your day with some highlight.

If you’ve got no time to brush and bronze, focus on highlight.

A subtle highlight will liven up a dulled complexion and make your skin look as if it’s radiating from within.

Concentrate your highlighter on the inner corner of the eyes as well as the brow bone to lift and brighten the area.

Ditch shadows for definition.

When you’re incredibly tired, eyeshadows can sometimes work against you. It’s best to ditch any added shadows for makeup that will define and sharpen your features.

Focus on grooming, shaping and defining your brows. Eyebrows frame the face and a shapely arch can really lift your facial features.

Then, finish your look with a bold lip to really look as though you’ve got it all together. Opt for a strong red or a vibrant pink to liven up the face with some colour.

Spritz yourself with a refreshing fragrance.

A spritz of your favourite perfume or body spray is really going to pick you up and refresh your spirits.

However, a scented setting spray won't just wake you up, but your makeup look will stay in place all day long. Not to mention the divine scent that will follow you throughout the day.

How’s that for a win-win situation?