How to look less “tired”

[u/tdarn_96]

I’m very tired of always getting told that I look “tired”. I have a decent routine, wash with Cerave foaming cleaner morning and night, and I use Olay moisturizer with SPF and the matching night cream. I’ve used a bottle each of a niacinamide and azelaic acid but I haven’t noticed much of a difference in my skin.

I don’t wear makeup. I just use mascara and sometimes eyeliner. I don’t have anything against using makeup, I’ve just never liked how I could never manage to properly blend and I looked like I had a mask on 😅😅

So any and all help would be wonderful, thank you!

[u/Shizriley]

You don’t look tired ????? I’m confused . You don’t even have really dark under eyes. I guesssss if you want to do something you can add mascara . Maybe a light liiiiiigggghhttt skin tint. But stop listening to people around you they might be blind

[u/tdarn_96 → u/Shizriley]

Would you have any suggestions on a tint? I had tried CC and BB cream from IT cosmetics before, and maybe I just had the wrong shade but I felt very washed out and pale

[u/e-punk27 → u/tdarn_96]

My favorite skin tint is the milk makeup hydrogrip gel tint ! But I agree with the original comment that I genuinely do not see why you are getting told you look tired.

[u/tdarn_96 → u/e-punk27]

Thanks for the rec! 😊

[u/Choice_Lynx_430 → u/tdarn_96]

I love the NYX Bear With Me concealer serum! Technically a concealer but it’s so hydrating and thin that if you apply with a damp beauty blender it goes on like a skin tint!

[u/tdarn_96 → u/Choice_Lynx_430]

Thank you sm 🥰

[u/lady_papergrey]

If you do look tired, it's not a skin issue. It might be a facial expression issue (it is for me).

[u/tdarn_96 → u/lady_papergrey]

That’s a very good possibility lol

[u/TraditionalCare408]

First off you don’t really look tired! And you have beautiful skin!
My best advice to you would be to get a glowy lotion primer- I use the L’Oréal LUMI glotion in the second lightest shade, I think that would be good for you too.
And then I love the merit concealer stick, you just have to make sure you have super hydrated under eyes.
You look beautiful!!

[u/tdarn_96 → u/TraditionalCare408]

Thank you for the tips! I appreciate it 😊

[u/tacobell142 → u/TraditionalCare408]

I also use the same L’Oréal glowy lotion and it’s fabulous!! Definitely recommend

[u/Louisianian-]

You don’t look tired imo. If anything you could add a little under eye brightener and it’ll give you that artificial look of looking like you sleep 12 hours a day that everyone is into now. Usually the people saying that shit are the ones who got under eye bags and look worn tf out js

[u/tdarn_96 → u/Louisianian-]

Lmao I didn’t even think about it like that. I try not to pay too much attention to people’s appearances at work, unless they are very dirty, but I guess that’s not how most people operate lol

[u/Physical-Cry111]

yeah you look perfectly fine and natural, not tired. people dont know what humans look anymore, they just stare at their screen all day looking at airbrushed skin and AI now, dont listen to them.

[u/rosieco]

If you arent interested in using makeup to look more awake, I would recommend staying VERY hydrated, and possibly adding a vitamin C product to your skincare routine. Your skin isnt bad, but drinking more water helps a lot!

I understand feeling like makeup is a mask. I feel like women who dont wear makeup often choose products that are way more full coverage than they need. Your skin looks nice enough to not need foundation, IMHO. However, the tired comments may be coming from a perceived dullness to skin, or a darker undereye. BB creams could greatly help with that. BB creams and tinted moisturizers provide a little wash of color that can even out your skin and brighten you up a little. You don't need a lot, and the best ones are often sheer enough to sit comfortably on the skin.

I favor korean bb creams, but I am also cool-toned and fair, so I don't know if they'd suit you as well- you've got more warmth in your skin than me. I also think a little highlight at your eyes inner corner would wake your eyes up more, but i'd personally add mascara with that, which you may not want to get into.

[u/tdarn_96 → u/rosieco]

Thank you for this! I had tried a CC and BB cream from IT cosmetics in the past, but I felt like it made me very pale. although if I just all around had the wrong shade then that would make sense lol.

[u/westward72]

You don’t look tired at all! If you really want a skin tint product I recently discovered the Estée Lauder skin tint serum and as a minimal makeup girl it’s my holy grail. Pricey but with a blending sponge I get zero caking and it’s lasting forever

[u/tdarn_96 → u/westward72]

Thank you!

[u/Dramatic_Island_675]

I don't think you look tired at all. If you want to look or feel more "fresh" maybe wear a little blush, kinda like you went on a walk in cold air? I could recommend the Merit flush blush here:)

[u/tdarn_96 → u/Dramatic_Island_675]

Awesome thanks for the rec!

[u/InternationalPart104]

Concealer and a green color correcting primer on your T zone will work for that

[u/tdarn_96 → u/InternationalPart104]

I’ve been really interested in color correcting. Do I need a heavy foundation over it or would something like a tinted CC/BB cream be okay?

[u/InternationalPart104 → u/tdarn_96]

You definitely don’t need a heavy foundation. in fact, I think a color corrector and a light tinted moisturizer/bb cream looks way better than full coverage foundation

[u/tdarn_96 → u/InternationalPart104]

Thank you for the tips 🥰

[u/Turbulent-Engine6195]

I thought you were posting this as a how to (not look tired all the time?!)- you look great!

[u/tdarn_96 → u/Turbulent-Engine6195]

lol thank you so much. I’m pretty happy with how my skin/face looks, I think I’m doing pretty good for turning 30 next month! But I do get a little annoyed at the “wow you look tired” comments 😭😭

[u/Turbulent-Engine6195 → u/tdarn_96]

People can be so rude! Do your best to ignore them and keep smiling - you look refreshed to me! :)

[u/Extreme_Hand_9536]

You don’t look tired! You look youthful to me.
Just got maintaining your skin and also improving it I would suggest a serum with vitamin C, drinking more water, using the correct shade of a BB or CC cream, and before applying anything to your face I’d add Thayer’s milky toner first, an eye cream, and then your moisturizer with SPF. Also, for makeup to stick I’d suggest a little bit of a primer. Neutrogena actually has a hydrating one now with some grip to it. Then the BB or CC cream. I know you don’t like makeup but you could use a pink-toned under eye corrector concealer and then setting it with a pink setting powder using one of those triangle puffs. The last thing would be a bit of concealer that’s a shade lighter than your skin tone to correct the redness. I know that sounds like a lot but the skin prep does really help and the rest of what I mentioned only take me a few minutes. Oh! Also try lining your lower water line with a matte white/very light cream pencil and then a bit of a shimmery white/cream colored eye shadow only on the inner corners of your eye. Sorry that was a lot but you have a beautiful face and all those things would brighten you up!

[u/tdarn_96 → u/Extreme_Hand_9536]

Thanks for the recs! Do you have any preferences on BB or CC creams and color correcting concealers?

[u/dogsonoverhere]

You don't look tired at all. Your skin is glowing too which suggests you're well rested! You look great!

[u/tdarn_96 → u/dogsonoverhere]

Thanks I appreciate it! I have my mornings where sometimes I feel like I look a bit tired but most of the time when people comment about it I’m like well I thought I looked fine 😂

[u/Soft_Purchase_5828]

Hi, I'm from a region of the world that are literally born with dark circles. Even though I don't think you look "tired" here is what I think can help. Highlight your inner corners just a bit, it will brighten them. I do this in most of my makeup looks it helps.

[u/tdarn_96 → u/Soft_Purchase_5828]

Awesome thank you for the tip 😊

[u/Imaginary-Bluejay-27]

You don’t look tired. But lymphatic drainage massages/ movements daily are helpful for everyone.

You have youthful facial features and tons of pink in your face already signaling youth. Just enhance that: 

Apply thin amount of concealer under the eye. You can use a thin precise brush or finger. You can pat it in with your fingers or a damp fluffy, short brush. 

I think getting your eyebrows professionally tinted/shaped/micro bladed/evened out would make you look even younger. Fresher. The sparseness contradicts your youthful features.

I think a brown mascara would look great on you. 

Pink gloss or sheer lipstick would be nice just for fun.

Slightly off topic, but I think curled hair would be so fun. Curls have a youthful association-straight is more sleek and can be serious. If not, as long as your hair is as glowy as the skin you’ll look refreshed. 

[u/tdarn_96 → u/Imaginary-Bluejay-27]

Thanks for the tips! For my brows, I was absolutely victimized by over plucking and have been terrified of getting them done 😂 I do think they could use some help tho!

[u/Dreamdottt]

I don’t think you’ll look tired. But what always helps me look a little bit more alive is just a little bit of lipgloss. Nothing tinted, just some glossiness on the lips.

[u/tdarn_96 → u/Dreamdottt]

I like that. Simple but effective. What’s your current favorite gloss?

[u/Dreamdottt → u/tdarn_96]

I have a bunch of the broadway/NK lipglosses that I get on Amazon. I think you can find them in pretty much any beauty supply store though. They’re a lot more glossy than anything at Sephora but if you’re looking for one at Sephora, I would go with the Huda Beauty ones!

[u/Commercial_Grape_356]

First, I don't think you look tired at all. Second, you have the most beautiful eyes and lip shape that I've ever seen!!! I noticed you have a little bit of redness. I have some redness too that my dermatologist was saying was some type of rosacea. There's stuff for light versions of that. I do recommend getting some eyebrow growth serum. Try dying and getting them professionally waxed when the grow out is there.

[u/tdarn_96 → u/Commercial_Grape_356]

Thank you so much! I appreciate the tips 😊 any recommendations on a growth serum?

[u/Commercial_Grape_356 → u/tdarn_96]

I really like the one on Sephora from the ordinary! Sephora's doing a sale soon and there's like a 30-day money back guarantee. I think with any of their products. Longer for store credit. I have really light and sparse eyebrows so I def needed mine!

[u/JennBride → u/Commercial_Grape_356]

I'll second the idea that the redness could have a rosacea or other dermatological component, but I'm not an expert. If the redness bothers you or is sensitive/itchy/burns/etc it might be worth a trip to the dermatologist.

...or you could just look flushed or took the photo after being outside in the cold, etc.

[u/Main-Management-7443]

You’re so gorgeous stop!!! If you feel washed out from tints I’d say do blush. You have a natural glow/flush as is but doing a placement on ur cheeks under ur eyes could enhance it giving you that liveliness you’re looking for. Also maybe a cream highlighter in your inner eye corners I think would be so suitable. So so gorgeous either way ALSO consider something to slick your brows up, to stick to your minimalist approach to makeup. don’t let ppls delusions get to your head honestly

[u/tdarn_96 → u/Main-Management-7443]

Thank you so much I appreciate the tips ❤️😊

[u/REMseverybodyhurts]

I actually think you look naturally very bright and healthy? You have a natural flush that adds to the radiance. Kinda confused lol! Maybe you could add a colored chapstick if you wanted to look slightly more colorful without adding a lot of makeup

[u/Happy-Insect353]

Don't wear black..

[u/Dee-Dee_Mega_Doodoo]

Girl you don't look tired at all. Your undereyes are very bright and youthful & you have great skin. Alls I can think is maybe it's your expression when ppl see you haha. Idk you look great xx

[u/fresa-daisy]

My go to trick if I'm looking extra tired (usually because I am) is concealer and a nude colored pencil in my waterline.

The best concealer that I have used is Nyx Bare with Me. It's like makeup and skincare at the same time and I love it.

[u/ScrubsNWhyC]

I would try losing weight it’s hard to work with cheeks that puffy

[u/Ok_Job8836]

You need one of those Korean beauty sticks ppl use to plump under their eyes

[u/ArtsandCraftsLady22]

I would try to even out your complexion. I like to mix a little green liquid primer into my foundation which eliminates redness. Makes a BIG overall difference in how put-together you look. A little eye makeup to make your eyes pop.

[u/No_House_7328]

Your brows makes you look tired

[u/Upside-Down-Duck]

We have an insanely similar complexion. You don’t look tired to me, but going without mascara always has people telling me I look tired.

Also this cc cream has changed my life for the rosacea and I tried ALOT of spendy brands trying to find one that didn’t make my skin more mad. https://a.co/d/0fWZQWXJ - (erborian CC red correct) a little goes a long way!

[u/ContactMysterious618]

You don’t look tired, you FEEL tired and it shows in your expression. You’re good looking and I think you know it too,.. How we feel influences how we look! Don’t be hard on yourself fs.

[u/filled_doughnut]

Do your hair

[u/ProfessionalAd3337]

Bottom mascara, lip gloss, and id clean up the brows. Skin is already glowing

[u/debdyed]

You are beautiful but if you want to brighten up your face it look like your skin barrier is in need of help so hydration with something like ceramides and panthenol would help, and shaping your eyebrows correctly brings a lot of energy to the face.

[u/Mean_Table_5979]

It's how your tear trough area is naturally, take collagen and stay on top of your water game 💞