No matter how organised you are, there’s always a last-minute beauty emergency that makes you want to run away to Mexico, or anywhere. Here are three solutions – puffy eyes remedies, concealing spots and liver spots, and disguising bruises – all quicker and easier than finding last minute flights.
Hiding hangovers (and lurgies)
Zombie-coloured face? In need of puffy eyes remedies? First, try a facial scrub to restore a little colour to your skin. Top MUA Mary Greenwell also recommends witch hazel cold compresses to shrink puffy eyelids and tighten skin, (don’t saturate the – they should be damp, not dripping), while eye drops will soothe bloodshot whites and add shine to that deadeyed look. Don’t try to compensate with darker foundation and please step away from the bronzer. Instead, an undercoat of pink colour corrector adds a hint of warmth under your usual foundation try L’Oreal Nude Magique CC Cream in Anti-Dullness, £9.99.
While a natural rose-pink blusher is crucial on top. Use illuminating undereye concealer to minimise dark circles, but forget about creating a smoky eye over swollen eyelids – it will look worse, not better. Opt for a more natural effect using nude or taupe eyeshadow, edged with brown or grey eyeliner (avoid black), before curling your lashes for a more wide awake look. MUA Jemma Kidd also suggests rimming the waterline with a nude coloured pencil to make eyes look wider, fresher and more open. Try Rimmel Scandal Eyes Waterproof Khol Liner in Nude, £3.99.
Concealing spots
Too much Christmas cheer, not to mention rich food, can trigger blemishes at any age. Don’t try to hide them with a dab of your usual undereye concealer. These formulations are usually moisturising (and therefore bad for spots) and often contain illuminating particles, which simply draw attention to the problem.
If you don’t possess emergency cover-up, check the rim of your foundation bottle, or even its lid, for partly-dried, concentrated colour and apply that instead. Never dab it over spots with a dirty fingertip – it not only adds more oil and bacteria but also takes off as much colour as it puts on. Stipple it on with a small clean brush, blend carefully, then tap on loose powder with a Q-tip to set it.
Disguising bruises
Nichola Joss, celebrity MUA and facialist, says, “They’re the hardest thing to cover. If there’s any swelling, crushed ice in a flannel will take it down quite quickly. Next, stroke on day cream and primer. Ordinary concealer turns a bruise greyer or greener, so the trick is to apply a darker foundation first. Dab it on with a sponge and let it settle. It will look a bit orange, but it’s easier to work your palette of concealer shades over orange than green. Use brushes – they create less pressure than fingers, especially on sore skin.
Lastly, always set it with powder.” According to Nichola, this technique works just as well over arms and legs as it does over the face, but if the bruise is around the eye, nude eyeshadows will look greenish, so the trick is to make the rest of the area darker than usual. As Nichola says, “It’s definitely the moment to go for the rock chick smoky eye!
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