My Skin Look Better in the AM?
You wake up and go through your morning routine of cleansing, moisturizing, makeup-ing and perfecting. You do a final mirror check and confidently head out the door to unleash your flawless face on the world.
But, when you look in the mirror later in the day, it seems like there’s all kinds of blemishes and imperfections that weren’t there this morning. How is this possible?!
It can be super frustrating to go through all the time and effort to get made up in the morning only to discover your skin has betrayed you by revealing all kinds of surprise flaws.
If we’re spending so much time getting ready, what’s happening throughout the day that’s making us feel not so great about how we look?
Today, I’m going to uncover why this sneaky phenomenon happens and what you can do to avoid it so you can rock a near-flawless face until you clock out and settle in for the evening.
Reasons Imperfections Appear Throughout the Day
The answer has to do with fluid distribution. When we’re lying flat while sleeping, the fluid in our body gets evenly distributed.
“Most people experience some facial swelling overnight from lying down. That extra fluid helps to fill out the fine lines, making them less visible.”
That’s why when you wake up, your skin may look more youthful and firm. However, as the day goes on, and gravity does its thing, fluids are drawn down away from the face taking some suppleness with it.
Another factor is that your skin repairs itself while you sleep, rebuilding collagen and elasticity and battling free radicals that can weaken skin.
You look fresh faced in the morning, but tired by sunset
Remember that fluid thing we were just talking about? That and gravity team up to wage an assault on your skin. Together, they pull fluid away making wrinkles, eye circles and sagging more apparent (thanks, Earth!)
Other factors such, as a loss of collagen and elastin due to age and sun damage, can also contribute to us looking dragged down at day’s end.
Look for moisturizing formulas that also help rebuild collagen and elasticity to firm and tone skin.And, make sure you’re staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water. This will help to flush out toxins and make skin look healthy and radiant.
Sleepy, puffy eyes and dark circles
Puffiness: Fluid retention from bloating, hormonal changes, dehydration or lack of sleep can cause the skin around eyes to get puffy. Other factors such as irritants and allergies, or eye fatigue (from doing things like staring at a computer screen for too long) can result in swelling.
Dark Circles: You may just be genetically predisposed to dark circles, and certain skin tones make them more apparent. They also show up more as we get older since the skin around our eyes gets thinner and reveals blood that has pooled beneath the skin’s surface. Hyperpigmentation can also cause dark spots. I personally struggled with melasma after the birth of my second baby that left dark patches around my eyes. Totally worth it, he’s such a cutie!
Fine Lines and Wrinkles: Gravity, moisture loss and dehydration and repeated movements like squinting (there’s no shame in reading glasses) can all make wrinkles look deeper. Sun damage also accounts for a large percentage of aging since it breaks down collagen. Even little bits of sun exposure throughout the day can add up over time, so wear your daily SPF!
Mid day oily skin
You’re predisposed to having oily skin which means your skin produces more sebum (your skin’s natural moisturizer) than average, and sebum production can be higher in the middle of the day.
You’re stripping skin of natural oils in the beginning of the day with harsh cleansers or wrong products. When you dry out your skin, it will retaliate by producing even more oil.
You can also use mattifying primers and makeup, and do quick touchups with powder throughout the day to reduce shine. And, make best friends with blotting papers for a quick skin refresh.
Your makeup performs a disappearing act
It can be annoying to look in the mirror and see that the makeup you applied in the morning has slipped off, smudged or disappeared altogether.
Lost concealer can reveal blemishes and dark circles. Smudged eye makeup can make it look like you have dark circles. And powders and liquids can settle into wrinkles and creases, or become non-existent.
iSClinical Youth Eye Complex
Look bright-eyed and bushy-tailed the whole day through with this formula that smooths and plumps skin and increases collagen and elastin to firm it up and reduce wrinkles. It also soothes puffy eyes and diminishes redness and dark circles so your eyes look youthful and lively no matter what the day brings you.
Bliss Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Eye Mask
Got a case of tired eyes? Make bags and puffiness disappear before you even head out for the day with this eye mask. These magic little pads provide collagen, antioxidants and vitamins to skin to hydrate, reduce baggage and make eyes look bright and youthful.
Alana Mitchell Hyaluronic Moisture Boost Serum
Vanquish the mid-day drag down by giving skin a dose of powerful moisture. I formulated my serum with hyaluronic acid to deliver hydration deep into skin’s layers. It boosts skin’s moisture by 10x so fine lines and wrinkles are reduced and skin is left supple and youthful!
GloTherapeutics Oil Control Emulsion
If you’re tired of battling afternoon shine, start your day with this amazing emulsion. This oil-free formula absorbs quickly and includes hyaluronic acid to give skin lightweight moisture. Plus, antioxidants and antibacterial agents mattify skin and keep oil in check!
Mineral Air Cordless Airbrush in White
If your makeup clocks out before you do, you should check out this mineral makeup airbrush system. I tried it and loved it so much I added it to my store! It’s super easy to use, and provides you with super lightweight, but also great, buildable coverage. It comes with three shades of liquid mineral foundation so you can mix your perfect color match. Plus, the makeup is really like four products in one – a primer, concealer, foundation and hydrator – so it really cuts down on your get ready time. Most importantly, it won’t ditch you midday. One application lasts 10 hours!