Feeling your emotions is important, but sometimes you really need it to look like you've got yourself under control (even when you're upset). Knowing how to make it look like you weren't crying is one of those good life skills we all need from time to time. Whether you're about to step into an important meeting or just want to keep your tears private for right now, we've got a bunch of surefire tips and tricks to help.
Take a deep breath and read through these ideas. We promise one of them will work so you can get on with your day.
Wash Your Face With Cold Water
If you're wearing makeup (especially mascara that isn't waterproof), a quick face wash is step one for making it look like you weren't crying. Use cold water, since it can help reduce puffiness and redness. Don't scrub or be too rough with your face because that can add to the redness. Think of this as a reset for your skin and your emotions.
Related: Why Does Nostalgia Make Me Cry? Emotional Effects Explained
Use That Old Trick of Cold Spoons
The age-old trick of putting a couple of teaspoons in the freezer and then laying them over your eyes is actually really effective at making things a little less puffy. It takes a little planning ahead, but the spoons don't have to be in the freezer that long to help. If you need to be somewhere in half an hour, stick the spoons in the freezer and get yourself ready. Spend five minutes with the spoons on your eyes right before you leave.
Break Out the Witch Hazel
Witch hazel works as an astringent to tighten up your skin and banish puffiness, especially after you've been crying. You can find it at any drug store, so it's easy to keep on hand. Just soak a makeup pad in it and hold it under your eyes for a few minutes (be careful not to get it in your eyes, though).
Take Part in a Cover-Up
Concealer is good at its job. It can hide anything from that zit that erupted the night before a big date to the redness around your eyes from crying. Dab a little under your eyes and gently blend it in. You can follow up with a little foundation and powder to get a perfect finish.
Grab Your Trusty Eye Drops
Knowing how to hide that you were crying also means getting rid of redness in your eyes. That's where really good eye drops come in. There are tons of great options, but Rohto Max Strength is designed to banish redness. Keep some in your purse for when you need a quick crying fix.
Take Five Minutes to Breathe
Most of the time, you can make it look like you weren't crying by giving yourself five minutes to rest. Your face will actually recover very quickly, especially if you're lying down and focusing on your breathing. If you have the time and a little privacy, lie on a bed or couch and think about relaxing your facial muscles. Take deep breaths in and out. You'll start to feel calmer, and when you look in the mirror, you'll see that your face looks calmer, too.
If you find yourself thinking about the thing that upset you, try to redirect your mind to what is happening in the moment. Your breathing and the sounds you hear are good focuses to help you be mindful.
Use a Jade Eye Roller
Another great way to get that puffy look to go away is to try a jade eye roller. You can buy them in makeup stores or online. Gently glide it around your eyes to move the fluid away from the eye.
If the jade roller is cold or cool, it can work even better. Stick it in the freezer for a minute or two while you wash your face.
Put on More Mascara
This may sound counterintuitive, but putting on more mascara can actually help hide that you've been crying. Use it to make your eyes look brighter and more open.
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Powder Your Nose
Even though people use it as a euphemism for having to use the restroom, powdering your nose is actually a really good way to make it look like you didn't cry. If you're like us, your nose can get a little red and shiny when the tears start flowing. A quick brush of powder can help a ton.
Skip the Contacts and Go With Glasses
If you have a choice between contacts and glasses, always go with the glasses if you need to hide that you've been crying. Glasses distract a little from the eyes, and they're the first thing people notice if you don't wear them that often.
If you need to know how to make it look like you weren't crying when you're outside, look no further than your favorite pair of shades. Sunglasses are perfect this job.
Process Your Feelings at Your Own Pace
You're totally entitled to your emotions, and there's nothing wrong with having a good cry. When it's inconvenient, though, that can get annoying. Knowing how to hide that you were crying is important so you can process your feelings at your own pace and when you're ready. In the meantime, we hope these tips helped and that you day gets so much better.
