How to look awake for the dreaded 8am class

I’ve been there. It’s 4 am and you have to be in class at 8. It sucks, but somehow I always managed to look decent. There are all kinds of tutorials out there geared toward helping you look awake or feel rested. I’ve compiled a short list of the best ways to achieve the look you wish came naturally.

Get ready the night before

The easiest way to be a little more on time in the morning is planning ahead. When I had my first 8am class,  I would always just get up and pick my outfit and get my books together in the morning. Not only was I always late, but I always felt like I was disturbing my roommate.

Just by setting my outfit out the night before and having my bag packed, I knocked 10 minutes off my routine. It also helps for those days when you sleep through your alarm and don’t have time to do anything except run to class.

Wash your face

This is probably the easiest and most important thing for you to do, no matter what time you get up. If you wash your face right when you wake up it will not only help you feel more awake, but it will prepare your skin for whatever the day ahead has in store. Throw some face wash on and warm water to cleanse, then wash with cold water to really wake your skin – and you – up.

Also, the college diet isn’t generally the most nutritional thing (*cough cough Domino’s*) and sleep deprivation doesn’t help, especially when it comes to your skin. If you want to help stop those pizza-induced breakouts and look a little more rested, washing your face is your best bet.

Minimal, well-placed makeup

I know makeup isn’t for everyone, and some of you probably think putting makeup on for an 8am class is crazy (not to mention wasteful… makeup is expensive, guys). But if you want to look refreshed, it really is the key. If you’re not about waking up to put on a full face, just put some concealer under your eyes, some mascara on your lashes, give your brows a comb through, and put on some lip gloss (which is key because it adds luminosity to your face). Having bright, well-rested-looking skin is better than dull, tired skin.

Another pro-tip for looking awake with makeup is adding white liner to your waterline (that little strip between your eyeball and eyelashes). Adding the white opens and brightens your eyes, making it seem like you weren’t up until 3 am watching Netflix… again. I also like to add some other touches like eyeliner and highlighter –  but you don’t have to do as much as me). Whatever you decide to add will only increase how awake you look. Just try to avoid dark colors.

Dress up a bit

How you dress can make or break your well-rested aura. Wearing sweatpants may seem like the obvious choice, but if you set your outfit out the night before (see tip #1) then you’ll be able to look great with less effort (and let’s be real,sometimes picking between yoga pants and sweats is not easy).  If you dress up, it will look like you had extra time, which makes you seem put together and not lazy.

Hungover? Dress. Exhausted? Button down and blazer. Looking like you tried hard tricks people into thinking you actually did, thus no one notices the exhausted vibe you’re giving off. Also, putting on a dress is easier than sweats and a sweatshirt. Also try wearing brighter colors. I’m definitely guilty of gravitating towards black, but wearing darker colors weighs you down and can make you seem even more tired.

Drink water

This is one that I know I definitely could work on. Think of yourself as a plant. If you forget to water a plant, it wilts. The same goes for your body. By drinking water, your body will look and feel healthier and more awake. Find a water bottle that you like (my favorite ones are Hydroflasks and Camelbaks) and bring it with you wherever you go. You’ll save money by not buying tons of drinks and all those bathroom trips will keep you moving.

Before & after

There is really no substitute for getting enough sleep, but if you try these tips you just might be able to fake it ’til you make it.