We’ve all had those mornings when you wake up, look in the mirror, and wonder why your face looks like it hasn’t had a good night’s sleep in a week. Puffy eyes, dull skin, and a heavy, tired expression can often linger longer than we’d like. The good news is that you don’t need to pile on multiple layers of makeup to look awake. All you need are two simple beauty items – concealer and mascara – to look fresh and radiant.

Now, here’s how these two products can change your look in a minute:

Step 1: Brighten with Concealer

The first signs of tiredness typically show up under your eyes. Since the under-eye area is delicate, it typically doesn’t take long for it to reveal to the world that you’ve had a bad night’s sleep – darkness, puffiness, and shadows under the eyes can all have a quick impact that makes you look more tired than you feel. This is where concealers can come in.

To start, it’s best to choose a lightweight and creamy concealer with medium to full coverage. Choose a shade one tone lighter than your foundation or natural skin tone. The lighter shade brightens the area without making it look ashy and obvious. Simply apply a few dots in the inner corner and slightly below the eye in a triangular shape. Then, gently blend it out with your ring finger or a damp sponge. The warmth from your finger helps the product melt into the skin, creating a natural, fresh finish.

Concealer can also be applied strategically around the mouth, on the chin, or down the centre of your forehead to lift and refresh your whole face. You do not want to camouflage your features, but bring back light and dimension, which may have been lost to fatigue.

Step 2: Wake up Your Eyes with Mascara

If the concealer is your eraser, mascara is your eye-opener. Eyelashes can make a bigger difference than most people realize — they frame your eyes and make them appear larger, brighter, and more awake.

Choose a mascara that helps lengthen and lift your eyelashes rather than just add volume. Lengthening or curling mascara formulas help pull your lashes up, combating any droop that comes along with physically tired eyes. You will want to wiggle the brush at the base of your lashes and then sweep up in a zig-zag motion to coat every lash.

Focus more mascara on the centre lashes and outer corners to get that full, wide-eyed, bright-eyed effect. This will give your lashes a subtle lift and dimension while avoiding the clumpy mascara look. If your lashes are particularly straight or sparse, use an eyelash curler to curl them before applying mascara to hold the shape a little longer.

Wrapping Up!

Concealer eliminates signs of tiredness, while mascara opens up the eyes and brings energy to the face. You won’t need layers of foundation, eyeshadow, or blush, just a clean base, these two essentials, and you’re out the door. Fresh, wide-awake, and polished — all in under five minutes. So, the next time you’re running late or just not in the mood for a full routine, reach for your concealer and mascara. Trust them to take you from sleepy to selfie-ready in no time.