Even if you’re not a party person, or don’t care to admit it, we all have those late nights and the mornings after where we wake up feeling less than our best. The key to looking polished and put together after a night out is skin care. No matter how much makeup you put on, if your skin is uneven and dehydrated, it will only make you look worse.
The first thing you need to do is ensure that you have all of your makeup off from the night before. No matter how hard I try, I am terrible at the late night removal of heavy eye makeup and almost always leave some residue around my eyes. You should take this opportunity to wash your face thoroughly and splash it with cool water. The temperature will immediately help calm the puffiness in your skin caused by dehydration. People have come up with so many treatments for puffy skin, from spoons in the fridge to tea bags, but a cool face cloth will do the same thing. You’ll need to treat your skin from the inside and the outside, so don’t forget to drink lots of water over the course of the day. If you make a habit of mistreating your skin, which I don’t suggest, you might want to invest in more specialized eye creams and facial serums that are specifically formulated for ragged skin.
Try to use makeup that will not only cover any imperfections but will also help treat your skin. BB creams, otherwise known as Blemish Balms or Beauty Balms, such as Dr. Jart+’s Water Fuse Beauty Balm $32, were originally formulated for people who had undergone laser treatments and are specifically tailored to rejuvenate damaged skin. They are a moisturizer, a treatment, and a sunscreen in one and perfect for helping to revive tired skin. The less makeup you have on your face, the less suffocated your skin will feel, but a light reflecting concealer such as Clinique’s Airbrush Concealer Illuminates, Perfects $19.50 for under the eyes can work wonders to lift and open up the face. If you find that your skin has taken on some sallow undertones, a lavender tinted concealer can help combat them.
You want to stand by the same rules as ‘no makeup’ makeup for the rest of your face (cream blush/lip tint, subtle eyeliner) but with a few additions. A swipe of a pearl shaded eye shadow such as Bare Escentuals’ bareMinerals Eyecolor in Soul $13 can open up your eyes and make you appear more awake and a shimmery bronzer such as Stila’s All Over Shimmer Duo $22 can do wonders to make your skin appear more alive and well. Finish off your look with a translucent powder such as Make Up For Ever’s HD Microfinish Powder $30 that will conceal any enlarged pores and make the skin appear even and flawless. This look is especially great for after work events when you know everyone around you will feel just as rough. It will be an automatic confidence booster to look fresh and rested while your coffee clutching comrades are still looking the way you feel.
Photos: IMAXtree
