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Look Great on Zero Sleep

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WebMD Feature from "Good Housekeeping" Magazine

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Look bright-eyed and radiant, even if you haven't slept a wink

Nothing takes the spring out of your step quite like being told, "You look tired" — especially when you're actually feeling well rested. "Dark circles, puffy eyes, and sallow skin can all telegraph fatigue," says Francesca Fusco, M.D., a New York City dermatologist. So we asked the beauty experts how best to address these tiredness hot spots. Read on for their wake-up tips for eyes, skin, and hair. Your friends will think you've just taken a 10-hour nap — or a 10-day vacation.

10 Ways to Fake 8 Hours of Sleep

1. REVIVE SLEEPY SKIN
The easiest way to refresh your complexion turns out to be fast — and free. "Simply splash cold water on your face," says Dr. Fusco. Coolness constricts blood vessels, giving your skin a smoother, more toned look. Try this while on the go: Tote an atomizer in your purse, such as Avène Thermal Spring Water ($7, drugstore.com).

2. SEAL THE DEAL
Slather on a thick, occlusive moisturizer to lock the water into your skin. "With a face balm, any dryness and flakiness will disappear, and wrinkles will be less obvious," says Ranella Hirsch, M.D., a Boston dermatologist. Try Vichy Aqualia Thermal Mineral Balm ($32, drugstores).

3. GET EVEN
If skin still looks lifeless, dip a washcloth in a mix of milk and ice cubes, wring out the cloth, and place it on your face for five minutes, then rinse. "The combination of the pH of the milk, plus the cold, makes this brightening," says Dr. Fusco. To reduce blotchiness, suck on an ice cube, she says. The top of the mouth contains nerves connected to the blood vessels in your face. By touching the nerves with ice, you are sending them a message to constrict (again, helping to even skin tone).

4. DEFLATE LIDS
To counteract puffiness, choose an eye treatment containing a mix of peptides — some of the least irritating anti-aging ingredients — and caffeine, which has a diuretic effect. Try First Aid Beauty Detox Eye Roller ($24, Sephora). Stash it in the fridge before applying under eyes. "Coldness counters puffiness," says Elise Brisco, O.D., an optometrist in Los Angeles. Or, rest refrigerated 2nd Skin Moist Burn Pads ($8 for six, drugstore.com) on lids for five minutes. They're filled with a soothing gel that's 97 percent water.

5. GO LIGHTLY
Skip heavy foundation or powder; it makes dull, sallow skin look even more mask-like. Instead, slather on a tinted moisturizer with SPF, suggests Sarah Lucero, global education director for Stila Cosmetics. It will even out any blotchiness while still letting skin show through. Try Wet n Wild Beauty Benefits Fresh Effects Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 ($10, Walmart). Apply a second layer or a touch of concealer over any still-apparent dark circles around the eyes.