14 Ways to Look Fresh, Awake, & Perky

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What to do and wear to stay looking fresh all day

Co-authored by Stephanie Fajardo

Last Updated: August 28, 2024 References

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Caring for Your Body

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Using Cosmetics

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Dressing Freshly

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Video

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Q&A

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Tips

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Warnings

To put it simply, looking fresh means looking like the best version of yourself. People look their best when they've got a full amount of rest and maximum energy. Of course, we still want to look that way even if we don't meet all the requirements. Looking fresh is an important part of looking good, and whether you have the time to tend to basics, or are simply looking for a quick fix to look that way in spite of your fatigue, there are many ways you can go about maximizing the potential of your appearance.

Things You Should Know

Get at least 8 hours of sleep and wash your hair when it gets dirty to look refreshed. Maintain a healthy lifestyle by eating a balanced diet and exercising.
Curl your eyelashes and apply white eyeliner on your waterline to look bright and awake. Then, apply moisturizer to keep your skin glowing and radiant.
Wear well-fitting clothes that flatter your body. Wash your outfits regularly to keep them pristine and fresh, too.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Taking Care of Your Body

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1
Get enough sleep. Sleep is arguably the most important part of looking fresh. After all, when people are thinking about freshness, the first thing they think of is probably someone who is at the start of their day following a long and fruitful rest. People who sleep at least 8 hours per night actually feel more attractive, and they tend to look it too. Prolonged sleep deprivation comes with a laundry list of negative traits, not least of which includes dark eye circles and a bloodshot complexion.
- If you find yourself having trouble getting to sleep at a normal time, try making a point of going to sleep at the same time each night. It may be tough to adjust to at first, but your body will eventually fall into the habit of tiring out at that time.
- Oversleeping isn't usually as big of a risk for people, but it is something you'll want to be mindful of. If you oversleep, you'll feel just as groggy as you would without sleep, but you'll have also lost precious morning hours while you're at it.
2
Wash your hair regularly. Freshness has a large part to do with the way your hair looks. Greasy hair doesn't make for a good look on anybody. Though rinsing your hair in the shower each morning is recommended and feels good, you may not need to use shampoo as often as you think. Everyone's hair has its own set of needs, so rather than sticking to a single strict guideline, it's best to listen to your body's indicators and do what seems best. ^{[1]
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- The amount you shampoo your hair should depend in part on your lifestyle choices, most specifically how physically active you are. The more physically active, the more often you should clean your hair.
- Overwashing with shampoos is a bad idea as well. Although no one will ever hold a value on hygiene against you, you can inadvertently remove healthy natural oils out of your hair (and skin!) by overdoing it on the hair cleaners.
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3
Eat well. Eating well is something everyone knows they should do, so it is lamentable that few follow through with it. Nonetheless, it should be made a priority if you want a fresher look. A healthy diet is manifest in virtually every part of your body, from the hair to the skin and everything internal. ^{[2]
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Research source} Although each person's diet should be custom-tailored to match the needs of their body, there are probably some things you eat regularly you know you could do without.
- Cutting out 'empty calories' (like soda) and replacing them with healthy alternatives will transform your appearance by itself in as little time as a month.
- Eating well has a considerable effect on your mood as well as your appearance. Being in a chipper spirit will make others perceive you as fresher than they normally would otherwise. ^{[3]
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Get regular cardio exercise. Cardio exercise involve exercises like swimming and running that strain the lungs and heart. The benefits for these exercises are numerous. ^{[4]
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Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source} Not only will your lungs and heart get significantly stronger, your skin will look tighter and you're bound to lose pounds if weight is a current issue for you.
- Don't worry if you lack motivation in the beginning. Once you get going, the subtly-addictive properties of the endorphins will keep you coming back for more once you've made a habit out of it. ^{[5]
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  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source}

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Freshening Up With Cosmetics

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1
Wear white eyeliner on your waterline. This will help open up your eyes and make them look fresher. You can even apply some black eyeliner to your lower lashes to make them look larger.
- For a more subtle or natural look, try nude eyeliner instead.
2
Apply skin moisturizer to restore the vibrance to your skin. It's especially important if you're not getting enough sleep regularly, as your body depends on full sleep to naturally rehydrate. Make moisturizing part of your daily hygiene ritual and you should see rewards in the way your skin looks before too long. ^{[6]
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- Be sure to use an eye moisturizer under your eye. A regular moisturizer may contain ingredients that can lead to irritations.
3
Get a manicure and pedicure. Everyone deserves to pamper themselves every once in a while. If your hands and feet are looking weary, taking them for a gentle, thorough treatment will improve the look in a potentially big way. Although it can be a bit costly if you're going on a regular basis, the way it changes the way you look can affect change in your self-confidence and the way you perceive yourself.
- If your budget is a concern, give yourself manicures at home! You may not get the perfect look, but you'll save a lot of money in the long run. ^{[7]
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4
Curl your lashes. When you're feeling tired, the first thing that suffers are your eyes. With that in mind, looking fresh with makeup has a lot to do with making your eyes look more alert. As lashes frame the eyes, curling them upwards can open them up wide. Use an eyelash curler and hold it up for five seconds. ^{[8]
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- You can achieve a similar effect with curling mascara or false lashes.
- You should only curl your upper lashes. The lower lashes are too short to curl effectively.
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Use some eyeshadow. A light eyeshadow can open up your eye in a similar fashion to curling lashes. While eyeshadow is less versatile for given events and situations than an easy eyeliner or mascara, it's still something you might want to look into if you're wanting to get the freshest look. ^{[9]
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- For a natural look, choose nude shades that are a few shades lighter and a few shades darker than your skin tone.
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Put on some highlighter or lighting powder. Choose a shimmery highlighter or lightening powder that's a few shades lighter than your skin tone. Use a powder brush to apply it to the areas of your face that receive the most sunlight: the nose bridge, forehead, chin, and cheekbones. ^{[10]
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- This is typically a part of the contouring routine, but if you leave off the shadow, you'll get a simple, fresh-faced look.
- A light dusting across your face will let light pick up on your face more effectively, which in turn will have a freshening effect on the way you look.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Dressing and Acting Freshly

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1
Launder your clothes regularly. Even if you've had the best sleep of your life and a long shower to boot, you won't look fresh if your clothes are a big mess. Giving things a 'sniff test' doesn't always cut it. Instead, you've got to put different regulations on different pieces of clothing. ^{[11]
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Research source} For example, in the case of jeans and most pants, you can wear them over the course of several days before they begin to lose their stretchiness. Tops should be laundered much more frequently however, as natural body odour is most concentrated from the torso upwards.
- If you're prone to sweat or body odour, washing your bedsheets as often as once per week is a good idea. Pillows and comforters can be done a few times a year. ^{[12]
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2
Observe fashion trends. At the end of the day, you should carve out a unique and personal look for yourself. That doesn't mean, however, that you shouldn't at least have some appreciation for the sorts of fashion styles that come and go over time. This is especially true if a fresh look is important to you. Staying up to date can make you look contemporary and hip, and it's relatively easy to stay up to date.
- Subscribe to some hot fashion magazines, or take a trip to the mall to see what styles are getting showcased.
- If you're really daring, you can work these current trends into an existing style you've designed for yourself. Then, as time goes by, you can continue reinventing your personal style with the new looks these trends provide.
EXPERT TIP

Alena Le Blanc
Personal Stylist
Alena Le Blanc is the Personal Stylist and the Founder of Le Blanc Label. Based in San Francisco, California, Le Blanc Label is the leading personal stylist brand for sustainable style transformations. Alena and her team specialize in seasonal wardrobe refreshes, closet edits, styling for special events, travel, photoshoots, and general personal needs. Alena has been featured in podcasts including EMPOWERED BY WMN, I Am Fearless, and Mind Power Meets Mystic. Alena received her BFA in Fashion and Apparel Design from the Academy of Art University.

Alena Le Blanc
Personal Stylist

Try out different styles and looks. In a style rut? Identify the image you want to cultivate. Prioritize purchasing high-quality garments and learn about fabrics and construction to make informed choices. Most importantly, don't be afraid to try new styles that flatter your body and make you feel confident.
3
Dress according to your age and your body type. Form-fitting clothes will make you look your freshest. Wearing something that's too baggy (or awkwardly tight) won't make it look like a lot of thought went into your outfit. ^{[13]
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Expert Source

Stephanie Fajardo
Professional Stylist

Expert Interview. 30 April 2019.} Your best bet is to do some research into the kind of clothing types that best fit certain body types. It should go without saying that one natural body type is no better or worse than any other. ^{[14]
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Research source} Rather, it's the way you work with it that counts.
- At the same time, don't let yourself get tied down by your body type. Your fashion sense should be liberated if anything, and if you think you can pull off a certain outfit in spite of what the guidelines say, you absolutely should.
4
Act perky. If you've got your chin up and your head invested in whatever you're involved with currently, people are bound to perceive you far differently than if you're looking glum and hate the world. Of course, it's never enough simply to want to be in a good mood. Knowing how to bring out the best side of yourself is crucial. Be mindful of the way you're feeling, and don't be afraid to laugh. ^{[15]
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Research source} If you're in a good mood, you'll have a positive impact on the way others feel when they're around you.
- Laughter is the easiest way to improve your mood. If no one's around to make you laugh, read a comic or watch a comedy. Seeing the lighter side of life can have a transformative impact on the way you feel for the rest of the week.
- Eating dark chocolate has been proven to alleviate the stress hormones in your body. A few pieces should be enough to evoke a noticeable effect. ^{[16]
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Have a Transformational Glow Up with this Expert Series

Are you ready for the biggest glow up of your life? It's time to care of yourself, build your confidence, and become the best version of yourself that you can be! Read these expert articles to supercharge your glow up.

1

Have a Glow Up

2

Make Yourself More Attractive

3

Get Glowing Skin in Just One Week

4

Do a Full Body Makeover

5

Look Naturally Beautiful

6

Be Confident in Your Looks

Community Q&A

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Question

Do I need to brush my tongue when I brush my teeth?

Community Answer

Brushing your tongue is a good idea because it makes your mouth fresh, decreases mouth odor, and your teeth get less plaque.

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Sometimes I want to be like the people who are always dressing nice, but then I get lazy about it. What can I do?

Community Answer

Take 5-10 minutes the night before to pick out clothes you think would be appropriate for the next day. To stay focused you could set a reward. For example, you could say if you spend 5-10 minutes doing this every day for a week you get a reward. Keep it up until you feel you no longer need motivation.

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How do I relax?

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Listen to calming music and meditate, do relaxing hobbies like coloring or gardening, or go for a walk out in nature. A hot bath usually helps too.

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Tips

The importance of attitude cannot be underestimated in this case. Even if you look the part, no one will think you're fresh if you go into a situation with a glum look.

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Stay hydrated. Drinking water will help you with your chapped lips and skin.

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While makeup and ornamentation can do in a pinch, the fact remains that nothing beats the real thing. Instead of trying to look awake, it's always better to actually be awake.

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Warnings

Don't stress yourself out in your quest for freshness. Stress eats away at natural looks and can make you look bloodshot even faster than fatigue. Relaxing and taking things easy is the best way to keep a fresh look going once you've had the right amount of rest and fuel.

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It's important never to overdo something or overexert yourself. This applies to sleep, diet and exercise as much as it does to makeup. Looking fresh is one thing, but if you're going so far with it, you're going to get the inverse result.

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14 Ways to Look Fresh, Awake, & Perky

Things You Should Know