Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Bausch + Lomb, the makers of LUMIFY® redness reliever eye drops. All opinions are my own.
Any time I have the chance to sit down and chat with a makeup artist, I use it as an opportunity to ask for their “insider-y” secrets and tips. So when I was recently introduced to celebrity makeup guru and LUMIFY brand ambassador Vincent Oquendo, I decided to enlist his advice on one particular topic: how to look more awake.
Lately, the subject has been top of mind for me (and many of you I’m sure.) After one too many restless nights in a row, I found myself with red, tired-looking eyes—and while I have a number of tips up my own sleeve to help, I figured an expert would know best.
Of course, Vincent came through with plenty of awesome intel that I’m excited to share with you. Here’s what he had to say.
Start your routine with a facial massage.
It’s a great way to increase circulation in the face and reduce puffiness. The more blood circulation you have, the more refreshed and alive you’re going to look.
You want to get the blood flowing. Think of it like stretching before you work out.
I do a lymphatic drainage massage whenever someone has an event. And it’s easy to do it yourself! You can take spoons and keep them in the fridge, use a facial roller (like a jade roller), or even use your fingers.
Facial massage is especially great if you have puffiness, or if you just want your cheekbones to really pop. Massaging underneath your cheekbones will make the muscle relax and you’ll be able to appreciate your makeup so much more.
Use LUMIFY® redness reliever eye drops from
Bausch + Lomb.
LUMIFY is one of my little secrets that I keep in my kit.
I first discovered it a few years ago and when I tried it on myself, I was surprised how much it really made a difference for me personally. It reduces redness to help my eyes look whiter, brighter, and more awake—plus it works in 60 seconds and lasts up to 8 hours.
I’m really mindful of everything that I put in my body, because if it doesn’t feel comfortable for me, it doesn’t go on my clients.
I know when I use LUMIFY on my clients, it reduces redness to help make their eyes look well rested and photo ready, which is especially important for red carpet events.
[Editor’s note: I have been singing the praises of LUMIFY for a couple of years, so it’s no wonder Vincent was in on the same secret.]
Don’t over-moisturize.
People have a tendency to slather on moisturizer before they apply their makeup. Don’t do that!
If you put on too much moisturizer or oil, your makeup isn’t going to stick. It’s going to slip around and eventually get shiny. And if you put on powder to counteract the shininess, it’s going to look cakey.
I would even suggest taking a tissue and blotting your skin before you do your foundation. It will get that excess layer of moisturizer off, which your skin doesn’t need.
Think about watering a plant…if you overwater a plant, it’s not like it drinks more—the water just sits there. It’s the same thing for your skin.
Apply foundation with a fluffy brush.
A smooth, flawless complexion will always help make you look better and feel better.
I use fluffy brushes to apply foundation because it almost gives you a whipped effect on the skin. I always use a synthetic blush brush to do small circular motions.
Keep pointed cotton buds on hand at all times.
One of my secrets is using pointed cotton buds. You can get them at any pharmacy.
It allows you to really create detailed work, and to clean up any mistakes—so, for example, you’re not left with a smudged liner that creeps down into your under eye area.
And pointed cotton buds are great for more than just the eyes. If you’re doing a red lip or anything that required precision, you’re able to define it with the cotton bud’s pointed tip.
Final Thoughts:
Self-care is a really important part of the prep process. When you know you look like your best self, it makes you feel amazing and more confident. And who doesn’t want that?
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