How To Flu-Proof Your Makeup This Winter

  Once our skin is hydrated we can only then apply makeup over the top.
A lot of women skip the hydration, feel a bit flat and look red in areas and just pack on the makeup hoping for the best, but, it will only look worse.The skin when we are sick does act differently, so it is even more important to apply products lightly keeping everything really fresh and dewy looking, rather than caking products up where they will separate or crease later on – fail.

Products that can even out skin tone and add light are perfect for someone feeing the effects of a flu!
Adding light can brighten the dull areas and still show off some face structure and lift. Be careful though you don’t go overboard in the ‘adding colour’ department… Whether it is a foundation, bronzer or blush, it is good to add colour if feeling a tad pale, but often some go overboard and then it overtakes the look, or can be to muddy looking especially with bronzer.

I prefer to think bright and fresh, so a lightweight product offering hydration and a sheer veil of colour is best! If using foundation, dilute it with moisturizer so it does not catch on the dry areas. Keep everything really simple as if you think too much about it you will add to much product and then the concerns you have can look worse.

A new product I love is the Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream (RRP $45) – the CC standing for colour corrector, perfect for a light makeup, weekend wear, or especially when not feeling the best and you need to give your skin a hydrating boost with a little colour for that perfectly even skin tone.
So handy having the SPF protection also – winner!!’

You can definitely cover redness more with a concealer if needed, but as long as it is not overused looking a bit thick – remember our theme is lightweight when our skin is not up to normal balance.
Adding light is so important to any tired, dull, aged skin… It is the same when you are not feeing well.
Some highlighters though contain sheen or can be glossy, fabulous for evening or a statement makeup and I do love these, especially for a very dry skin as they give as hydrated effect to the skin.
But, sometimes you don’t want to look like you have placed anything on the skin, you want to look subtle in the overall look, but still have this incredible light beaming off your face giving brightness and definitely freshness when feel unwell.

A cult global product that is always in my makeup kit is the YSL Touché Eclat, Highlighter Pen (RRP $55).
It is not a concealer, more a highlighter adding light to the skin, not only used for the eyes.
I like to have two shades handy.
I would normally use the number 3 or 3.5 (depending on someone’s skin tone) and use after concealer under the eye where we have dark shadows. You can use it alone, but as it is not a concealer, you may not get the coverage you are looking for.
It will lift the sometimes-dull tones of concealer, giving a light infused area, therefore when light it’s the dark shadow area, it bounces light away from it, making the area fresh. The lighter the shade you use in that area, the more light you get, just remember you cannot highlight until you correct.
Then I use the shades 1 or 2, (once again depending on skin tone) to add light on the face – above cheekbones, under peak of brow, through centre of face and the cupids bow on the lips. The pinpoint brush makes this very easy for anyone to use as well as the easily blendable texture – anyone can look fresher with more light on his or her skin in minutes!!

MB PRO TIP – Once you have added light to the skin, especially for the first time or with a new product, take a quick pic of yourself with and without the flash on with your camera phone and make sure you have not gone too light under the eyes – this can be a mistake that even celebrities have made.

Hydration, correcting skin tone and adding light are the 3 main parts to making your makeup flu proof… You will look a lot fresher, hiding any blotchy red tones and appear to be killing it during the day.
The only other things to remember ladies are the tones you use!
What’s the point of going to that effort of correcting the tones present in your skin, mainly pink and redness, for it to all come back with shades you choose in your makeup application?
AVOID PINK!!
Pink cheeks, pink lips a pink wash or burgundy, red tones should be avoided when you have the flu, or in general if someone naturally has a really pink/red complexion – It just brings back everything we have tried to erase.
Stick to warm, earthy, neutral type shades as this will balance out the look from your pink tones under the makeup, to neutral on top, you will have a fresh look.
Yes, neutral tones don’t always excite everyone and if your skin naturally was flat or dull, definitely avoid and go brighter. But, when you have colour in your skin and add colour, it is all too much – especially when you have the flu.

Lastly the eyes, they can get a bit red and watery during this time. Apart from trusty eye drops (I never leave the house without mine), white eyeliner can be a savior when applied to the inner rim (waterline) of the lower lash line.
It instantly erases redness and opens up the eye, plus looks fresher having a white, or you could use a softer creamy/pearl shade also.
If you really draw it on, it can look like a big white line. Try to place it gently, so not too much pigment comes out, just enough to create a fresher feel inside the inner rim of the eye – also great to apply after a long day at the computer screen or if in air conditioning as the eyes can get a bit red – instant eye freshness!
+You can always slightly dab at the eyeliner with your fingertip if too much has been applied.

So ladies, they are my tips to looking fresh as a daisy, even if you are all choked up and feeling fluey!
Hydrate, colour correct, add light, and avoid pink shades and white eyeliner!

By Michael Brown
Twitter: @mbrown_beauty
Facebook.com/michaelbrownbeauty

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