Cover Ups
Stress and beauty go together like oil and water, which explains why beauty maladies tend to arise at the worst possible moments. Be it a baby-naming or a job interview, there's nothing like an inflamed pimple or some dark eye circles to give those already shaky nerves a little something extra to worry about. We tracked down two beauty pros who gave us tips so you'll feel more confident about how to fix anything that pops up (pimples included); that way, you can enjoy your big day more and agonize a lot less.
Blemished Beauty
Stress-induced breakouts are one of the biggest beauty dilemmas makeup artists see. If you're having your makeup professionally done, rest assured that your makeup artist won't bat an eyelash at your newly surfaced pimples—so long as you leave them be and don't pick at them. Pimples turned scabs are a nightmare and can't be covered, warns Liz Fuller, makeup artist and owner of Makeup Artistry, Inc. in Massachusetts. She suggests going about your usual skincare routine and then applying a drop of Visine on each pimple to bring the redness down. Next, tap (note: don't rub) concealer on each pimple and then tap it outward onto the surrounding skin to help it blend in. Using a brush with dense bristles, tap compact powder on each blemish and apply a setting spray once the makeup is applied to ensure the pimples won't re-emerge.
To a Head
There's nothing like a white-headed pimple to tempt you into breaking Fuller's "no pick" rule. So when you're having trouble fighting the urge, do this instead. Apply a drying lotion, such as one by Mario Badescu, suggests Dee Rouzan, owner and lead makeup artist of New Orleans based Faces of Virtue Makeup Studio. If you can, leave it on overnight and it will dry out even the most stubborn white heads, she says. In the morning, follow it up with a sudsy cleanser, toner and moisturizer (her favorite is Embryolisse) and cover with a concealer that doesn't appear cakey, like Smashbox High Definition Concealer, she suggests.
Add Highlights
After applying a hydrating cream under the eyes, Fuller recommends mixing a highlighter and a concealer together to lighten up any dark areas. Her favorite combo is mixing NARS Cream Concealer with Elf's Shimmering Facial Whip in Lilac Petal. Once mixed, dot under the eye area in an inverted triangle shape and then blend well. "The highlighter will bring light to the area, while the concealer will hide the circles and bags," she says.
Unwelcome Reaction
Any skin treatments—facials, wraps and even massages—may sound like the ideal way to unwind prior to a big event. But Fuller urges not to book any skin treatments within a week. The reason? Your treatment may involve products that you could be unknowingly allergic to, even if it claims to be all natural. (Fuller herself had an allergic reaction to an all-natural, fruit-enzyme facial.) If you do have a reaction, wash immediately with your usual face cleanser and take Benadryl or apply hydrocortisone cream to stop any itching and bring down any welts.
Facial Flub
Another reason to book facials well in advance of the big day? More pimples (yes, more)! "A facial draws out the impurities in the skin and can lead to some big blemishes the day after," says Fuller. If you have a couple of days before the event, she highly recommends giving Kiehl's Blue Herbal Spot Treatment a try. "This is a miracle worker," she says. "Apply this gel to each pimple morning and night and your pimple will be history within two days."
Bronzed Blunders
Like facials, spray tanning is another service you'll want to book well in advance of your big event, should anything go awry. But no matter well you plan ahead, self-tanner or spray tanning can still concentrate in certain areas more than others, especially around the elbows, knees, ankles and hands. If this is the case, Fuller suggests using fresh lemons. "It might take five or six lemons, but it will do the trick," she says. "Cut a lemon in half and start rubbing the flesh in a circular motion over the area that you want to remove the tanner." Once removed, use powdered bronzer to prevent being left with white circles where the tanner used to be, notes Fuller.
Lip Service
Flaky lips are the last thing you want if you'll be talking to (or kissing) anyone at your next event. To slough away dry skin, Rouzan suggests using brown sugar. Sugar contains glycolic acid to help make your skin more vibrant, and brown sugar is a softer, more natural alternative to using regular sugar, she explains. Mix with honey or olive oil to make a scrub (which can be used as a full-body scrub in addition to the lips). Follow it up with Yu-Be LipTherapy—Rouzan's top pick for softening and moisturizing dehydrated lips.
Easy on the Eyes
You couldn't sleep, which is completely understandable. Big events can have that effect. Unfortunately, those puffy eyes and dark circles aren't going to keep your secret. To ensure your sleepless night stays between you and your pillow, caffeine will be your go-to—and not just for drinking. You'll want to make sure it's one of the ingredients in your eye cream, too. "Caffeine tightens the fine blood vessels underneath the skin, which over time can improve the look of dark circles," explains Rouzan. She recommends a product like Mac Fast Response Eye Cream, which contains caffeine and also de-puffs the eye area. And have some Visine on hand to clear up any eye redness as well, she suggests.
All Smiles
A "dull smile" tends to be one of the most frequent beauty dilemmas Rouzan notices, and because of it, she's quick to offer a more permanent solution to her clients who have a week to spare before a big event. Her recommendation? Try teeth whitening trays, such ones by Smile Brilliant, which can be purchased without a visit to the dentist and promise whiter teeth within four to seven days (for those with mildly stained enamel). If you're in a pinch and can't do a whitening treatment, opt for a lipstick in a bright red hue, suggests Rouzan, such as Dirty Shirley by Sharon Renee Cosmetics or Sephora's Cream Lip Stain in Always Red.
