Flu Beauty: A Helping Hand

Flu Beauty

I am battling the flu at the moment and it is awful – pounding head, runny nose, high temperature…I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy. I can’t afford to take time off work at the moment, so I’ve had to ramp up my beauty routine to make sure that I don’t arrive at the office looking like death. Here’s my pick of the best products to help you look better than you feel…

Whilst you’re not going to be able to completely mask the effects of flu, there are certain things you can do you make yourself look a little more sparkly again. My main concern is dry, red skin around my nose and cheeks from the constant nose-blowing. To counteract this, at night I layer on Clarins Double Serum and Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate and Eucerin Hyaluron Filler Night Cream. Then, just before I knock myself out with Corenza’s, I apply some of the Mama Mio O-Mega Wonder-Full Balm all around my nose – this is my new secret weapon. It feels really comforting on the skin and alleviates redness in a flash. Another alternative is Lush Ultrabalm – a lovely soothing product. Now, I’m not going to lie to you and tell you that after using these products I wake up looking like a supermodel, because I don’t – but I do look markedly better than I did during previous flu seasons when I didn’t use them. In the mornings I find that a quick facial massage in the shower followed by a nice thick layer of moisturiser helps with the puffiness. I am currently using either Clarins Hydra-Quench Cream or Steamcream – both of them leave my skin feeling soft and supple and ready for a bit of make-up…

The name of the game here is moisture. You want rich balms, illuminating lotions and cream blushes because they will sink into your skin and breathe some life back into it. My favourite is Bobbi Brown Extra SPF Tinted Moisturising Balm, which I adore because it is so rich and my skin just drinks it up. It doesn’t sit in any flakes or dry patches and it gives me some much-needed luminosity. Same goes for concealer – the creamier the better. I would also suggest something quite light reflective, like Clinique Airbrush Concealer or Bobbi Brown Tinted Eye Brightener, because they will pep up your under-eye area and make you look well rested. Don’t bother with loading on eyeshadows – rather keep it simple – mascara and maybe some eyeliner. My go-to beauty trick is to line my waterline with a nude liner as this takes the redness out and makes my eyes look brighter (I also don’t hold back on the eye drops). Cream blushers and highlighters are also essential for making your skin look dewy and healthy – my favourites at the moment are Stila Convertible Color and Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector respectively (you can’t get Becca in this country, but MAC Strobe Cream is an excellent alternative).

Last but not least: lips. My nose has been so blocked that I’ve had to breathe through my mouth a lot (sexy), so my poor lips have become quite chapped. I have been exfoliating nightly with my Lush Mint Julips lip scrub, followed by a healthy dose of Elizabeth Arden Eight House Cream. During the day I like to keep them hydrated with Smith’s Rosebud Salve as the texture is really lovely and it smells heavenly.

Have you got any helpful beauty tips for us flu sufferers? If you do, please share!

8 comments on Flu Beauty: A Helping Hand

  • Angela

    Not very glam, but good old vaseline on the nose always works for me, and some bio oil on the flaky skin around my nose before bed worked WONDERS (and didn’t burn like my normal moisturizer did)
    Great post- THANK YOU! xx

    • Camilla (author)

      Vaseline is making a comeback! I’ve got a couple of friends who are using it as their lip balm this winter and they adore it. Bio Oil is fantastic stuff – I absolutely love it too. xxx

  • Elana

    Use handkerchiefs when you’re at home, they’re less harsh on the skin. Also, if you’re going to blow your nose, apply a layer vaseline or a balmy moisturizer on the skin around your nose BEFORE you blow it/wipe it. It irritates the skin a lot less as there is less direct friction and rubbing on the now sensitized skin. Also, less about skin and beauty, but if you’re into tea, Rooibos or peppermint tea with a slice of lemon, a tsp honey and a slice of ginger works wonders for me. You can add 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper if you’re brave and willing to sweat it out a little. Drink as hot as possible. Get well soon. xxx

    • Camilla (author)

      Elana – thank you SO much for all your advice! So sweet of you, and it’s super helpful too – the balm on the nose before blowing…I mean, why didn’t I think of that? Going to definitely be giving your tea recommendations a go too xxx

      • Elana

        You’re welcome, Camilla. 🙂 Thanks for the awesome blog posts. Love it. xxx

  • Hildegarde

    Hope you feel better soon! I’ve been using Vaseline (the vitamin E one) for years and it’s the only thing (except Kiehl’s lip balm) that stops my lips from flaking.

  • Bliss On Earth

    Sigh, I so miss Corenza C. Can’t find it Down Under unless you buy it for a crazy amount of money at a SA shop. I use Elizabeth Arden’s 8 Hour Cream around my nose and for my dry lips when I’m sick…sometimes if my skin is quite dry I’ll put a nice layer of it on before I go to sleep at night. It really makes my skin nice and soft and takes away the horrible redness and sore skin around my nose.

  • Shelley

    Handy dandy post, thank you!

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