Let's face it: No one likes the way they feel or look when they're sick, but you shouldn't have to cover your face with foundation or blush if you're feeling icky. However, if you have to go to work or an event and feel like looking more, um, alive, there are ways to hide a cold with makeup so you don't look as dead as you feel inside. I don't mean putting on a full Kim K. contoured face, but perhaps some foundation, tinted moisturizer, and products that actually make your skin feel fresh1 It's possible, y'all.
Everybody's been there before. You've got somewhere to be, but you're feeling under the weather. Having a cold and trying to look somewhat decent seems near impossible. You try to add concealer to your nose and your under eyes, but there’s just no hope. It seems like nothing is working.
Maybe it's the choice of product that's hindering you from looking the best you can look when you're undeniably and noticeably sick. But instead of focusing on covering up with tons of makeup, using certain products with natural vitamins and minerals can help your skin stay hydrated and as a result, look more awake and alive.
Here's how you can still look somewhat put together when you're not feeling your best:
Apply Tinted Moisturizer
NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 30, $45, Sephora
Avoid dry powder foundation at all costs, guys. This will make your already parched skin even drier and highly irritable. Instead, use a tinted moisturizer with a little bit of SPF to guard your skin from UV rays outside. The moisturizer will help keep your skin looking dewy and glowy.
Use Tinted Lip Oil
Bare Minerals Pop of Passion Lip Oil-Balm, $16, Bare Minerals
The most important thing to remember for your lips is to keep them hydrated. When you're sick, your mouth tends to get really dry. While drinking water helps immensely, you can also keep your lips looking plump by using natural oils. If you want to add a little color to your lip, you can work with a tinted lip oil.
Apply Concealer That Has Natural Ingredients
Natural & Organic Concealer & Bamboo Concealer Brush Set, $28, Evelyn Iona Cosmetics
So when you get sick, you tend to have more noticeable dark circles under your eyes. With the lack of sleep, plus the constant coughing and sneezing, you most likely have the urge to apply a lot of extra concealer around your nose and eye area. But before you do that, you might want to consider finding a concealer that contains lots of vitamins, like the one above.
Remember Eye Drops
Systane Ultra High Performance Lubricant Eye Drops, $13, Amazon
Having bloodshot eyes and being sick go hand in hand. Refresh your peepers with eye drops to keep them lubricated and hydrated.
Use Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner
Stila Stay All Day® Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner, $22, Sephora
If you must put on eyeliner (I know, I can't live without my winged eyeliner too), try to stick with liquid eyeliner. Usually when you apply liquid eyeliner, it'll dry up really fast and stay on throughout the entire day. From personal use, I've noticed that gel liners and pencil liners tend to smudge more, and when you're sick, having teary eyes and constantly blowing your nose doesn't help.
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Image: Isla Murray/Bustle
