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!