Beauty sleep more than a myth for most women

WOMEN are in the grip of a fatigue epidemic that is taking its toll on their looks, new research claims.

One in ten women feel so tired it affects their appearance every day, with tell-tale signs including shadows and bags under their eyes and washed out, pasty skin.

The survey found more than nine in ten (94 cer cent) women agreed the best tonic to looking better was a good night’s sleep.

Yet only just over half ever take to their beds for an early night or enjoy a lie-in.

Nearly a third admit they mask the signs of fatigue with make-up, spending significant sums each month doing so.

With almost a third of women feeling lack of sleep affects their looks on up to four days a week, 42 per cent would not be seen in public without their make-up.

Typically they spend between £11 and £30 a month on cosmetics, skin care products and facials, with some prepared to pay up to £100 a month.

According to research among 1,400 women by the Sleep Council, nearly one in four respondents rely on caffeine and energy drinks for a boost to look less tired while a third admitted they were regularly late for work because they felt so shattered in the morning.

More than one in ten of those questioned had fallen asleep at work while one in six felt so worn out they went back to bed and skipped work or the school run/work altogether.

However, women are cheered up by “celebrity shocker” photos, with more than four in ten admitting they enjoyed seeing pictures of celebrities not looking their best as “it makes me feel better to know that they can look like that too.”

Women aged 16 to 24 are particularly self-conscious about the affect lack of sleep has on looks.

Celebrity make-up artist Oonagh Connor said: “The phrase beauty sleep really is true and women should not underestimate the value of a good night’s sleep.”