How to Look Good in the Morning

Co-authored by Ashley Kahn

Last Updated: December 16, 2024 References

Mornings are hard for many of us. Whether you pulled an all-nighter, didn't sleep well, or are rushed to get out of the house on time, you still want to look good. This can be achieved with a little bit of preparation the night before and a solid morning routine.

Part 1

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Working on Your Nighttime Routine

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1
Pick out your outfit. Before you go to bed, decide what you will wear tomorrow. This will keep you from digging through your closet, trying on a bunch of clothes, and making a mess. Once you make a choice, lay out the shoes, accessories, and anything else you plan to wear.
- Keep your closet organized so it's easy to see what you have. Also, get rid of anything that doesn't make you feel amazing, so that way you don't have to spend time sifting through things you don't really like when you're getting ready each day.^{[1]
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  Expert Source
  
  Ashley Kahn
  Wardrobe Stylist
  
  Expert Interview. 30 September 2020.}
- Check the weather and your schedule to make sure your outfit is appropriate. Do you have an important meeting the next day? Is it going to be hot and humid or rainy?
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Get enough sleep. Sleep is important for your mental and physical health. Try to get between 7 and 9 hours of sleep each night. While you are sleeping, blood flow to your skin increases. Adequate sleep will keep your eyes from being puffy and keep you from waking up with dull skin.^{[2]
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- It's important for you to develop a regular sleeping schedule. Over time, not getting enough sleep causes your skin to age and makes you more prone to wrinkles.^{[3]
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- Sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase. These materials are less drying for your skin and will keep you from waking up with creases on your face.^{[4]
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- Some people may need more than 9 hours of sleep of night or less than 7 hours of sleep a night. Adjust the time based on your needs and how you feel when you wake up in the morning.
- Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine because they can keep you awake or disrupt your natural sleep cycle.
- Try not to nap too close to your bedtime or you will have difficulty falling and staying asleep.
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Stay hydrated. Your skin is comprised primarily of water and needs to be hydrated from both the inside and outside. If you do not drink enough water, your skin can become dry and flaky. Aim for 8 glasses of water a day to keep your skin hydrated and looking healthy.^{[5]
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University of Wisconsin Health
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- Moisturize your skin after a bath, shower, and when you wash your hands. Your skin absorbs moisture best when it is damp.
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Wash your face. Always wash your face before you go to bed.^{[6]
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American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists

Go to source} During the day, your skin is exposed to pollution, dirt, sweat, and bacteria.^{[7]
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Research source} Washing your face at night will remove all of the day's gunk from your face. Going to bed with a dirty face can cause an acne breakout^{[8]
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American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists

Go to source} and leave you with dull looking skin in the morning.
- Everyone should wash their face at night, but this is particularly important if you wear makeup. Sleeping in makeup can clog your pores and lead to breakouts.
5
Moisturize your skin. Nighttime is a great time to moisturize your skin. Although you are sleeping, your body is still working to repair your tissues. The increased blood flow you experience when you sleep helps your skin better absorb the moisture that you apply to your skin.^{[9]
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- This is the time to use heavier, thicker moisturizers.
- Moisturizers are best when applied to clean, slightly damp skin. Try to do this after you bathe and wash your face for the night.
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Prep your hair. Sleeping in a bun is good way to have good hair day when you wake up. If you have longer hair, put your hair in a ponytail and wrap it into a twist. When you wake up in the morning, you will have soft waves in your hair. If your hair is not long enough for one ponytail, try doing little mini-buns all over your head for the same effect.
- Tie the ponytails loosely to prevent creases in your hair.^{[10]
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- If you shower at night, you can braid your wet hair to add some texture.
- You can also wash your hair at night and apply dry shampoo in the morning if you have oily hair.
- If you are prone to frizzy hair, wrap your hair with a silk scarf or sleep on a silk pillowcase.

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Getting Ready in the Morning

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1
Wake up early enough. Set your alarm and give yourself enough time to go through your morning routine.^{[11]
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Expert Source

Sandra Possing
Life Coach

Expert Interview. 15 July 2020.} If you are not sure how long it will take you to get ready, time yourself one weekend morning. Once you know how long it will take you, you can set your alarm for a good time during the week.
- If you go to bed at a decent time, it will be easier for you to wake up at the time you need to.
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Eat breakfast. Eating a healthy breakfast can get your day off to a good start and fuel your body. Your breakfast should be a combination of whole grains, lean protein, low-fat dairy, and fruits and vegetables.^{[12]
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Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source} Part of looking good is having plenty of energy and getting the necessary vitamins and minerals your body needs.
- Good breakfast options include: oatmeal with almonds or dried fruit, fruit and vegetable smoothie, multi-grain pancakes with fruit and yogurt, whole-grain waffle/bread with peanut butter, or an egg omelet with vegetables.^{[13]
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  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  
  Go to source}
- Drink plenty of water as part of your breakfast.
- If you are rushed for time in the morning, prep your breakfast ingredients the night before.
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Take care of your skin. Healthy, clean skin will have a nice glow and help you look refreshed. Wash your face with a gentle cleanser and moisturize your face in the morning.^{[14]
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Trustworthy Source

American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists

Go to source} You should also apply sunscreen before you leave for the day. Use sunscreen that is at least SPF 30.^{[15]
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Trustworthy Source

American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists

Go to source}
- Use a lighter moisturizer than you used at night.
- You can also try a tinted moisturizer to give your skin a nice glow and a more even tone.
4
Get rid of puffy eyes and dark circles. Apply a cold compress to your eyes to get rid of dark circles and puffiness. A cold spoon or a bag of frozen peas can be used as a compress.To further reduce puffiness, sleep with your head elevated to prevent fluid from pooling under your eyes.^{[16]
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Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}
- Place the spoon in the refrigerator instead of the freezer so it will not be too cold. You can put the spoon in the fridge the night before.
- Wrap the frozen peas in a cloth before applying to your face.
- If the cold compress doesn't work, apply a concealer with yellow undertones to hide dark circles under your eyes.^{[17]
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- Used tea bags can also be used to reduce puffiness. Steep your tea bags in hot water, allow them to cool a little, squeeze out excess liquid and then apply to your eye area.^{[18]
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Try to exercise. It might be difficult, but try to exercise in the morning. Exercise increases blood flow, releases feel good hormones, and gives you a nice glow.^{[19]
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Trustworthy Source

Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source} If you can, get in 30 minutes of exercise^{[20]
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Trustworthy Source

Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}, but even a brisk 10 minute walk can get the blood flowing.
- Exercise will improve your mood and give you more energy for the day.

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.

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How can I spend less time getting dressed every morning?

Ashley Kahn
Wardrobe Stylist
Ashley Kahn is a Wardrobe Stylist based in Houston, Texas. With over 10 years of experience, Ashley styles women both in-person and virtually and is passionate about empowering women through the art of personal style. She believes every woman deserves to feel comfortable, classy, and confident every single day. Ashley holds a business degree from Sam Houston State University. She has been featured on KPRC's Channel 2 Houston Life and ABC 13's Check This Out Houston and in the Houstonia magazine. Ashley has also hosted Macy’s “The Wardrobe Edit” and the “It List” fashion shows.

Ashley Kahn

Wardrobe Stylist

Expert Answer

Go through your closet and purge everything that you don't feel good or comfortable in. Then, organize your clothes by style, sleeve length, and so on. That way, when you're getting ready, it will be easy to immediately see everything you need.

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What if I'm not able to exercise in the morning?

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Exercising later in the day is great too, and it can help you sleep better. Maybe try to fit in a few easy little exercises in the morning, like a minute or two of planks or a few jumping jacks while the coffee is brewing.

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Why is makeup such a bad choice?

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Makeup isn't really that bad, only if you don't remove it. If you have open pores, the makeup will clog them up either becoming a black head or white head.

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Tips

Avoid alcohol and salty foods as they can make you dehydrated and cause your skin to look dull.

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Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time everyday. This will help set your body clock and allow you to get enough sleep on a regular basis.

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Eat carbohydrates, like toast or cereal, in the morning if you want to have a slow energy release.

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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

Turn off your electronics 1-2 hours before you go to bed because it will help your body and brain know that it's time for bed. The blue light in electronics also are bad for your sleep, which can make you tired in the morning.
When you wake up in the morning, don't get on your phone immediately. This will cause you to stay in bed and get a late start. Instead, try getting up and getting ready for the day.
Taking a shower always helps me wake up and feel fresh in the morning. Plus you'll look clean and smell good throughout the day.

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