How To: Look Better When You're Sick

How was your weekend? Mine was spent battling this nasty atypical pneumonia infection I've got, but I watched tons of movies, thanks to your suggestions! I'm usually good at resisting colds (see my How to Kick a Cold tips) but couldn't escape this time. I was too sick to drive home for my Mama's birthday or even visit my friend JeWa for her birthday. Other than for walking Charlie, I ventured out once to get my hair done. Priorities! Anyway, when I posted the pic below of Sick Me on Instagram, so many of you sweetly responded that I looked great. I thought I'd share my tips with you. Enjoy!

sickie selfie

Ooh, I can't stand when someone tells me I look sick. "Sick" is a nice way of saying "awful" so if I can avoid looking like that, I will! Unfortunately, I can't just throw on some moisturizer and call it day. I need a little (ok a ton) more help than that, so for those days when I need to look nice, this is what I do. I'm going to give a lot of options here, so use what applies to you!

before/after

the tools

wipes, bb cream

• Start off by using a wipe on your face. If your sickness is bacterial (aka not a cold), try Neutrogena Oil-free cleansing wipes in Pink Grapefruit. Your immune system is fighting your infection, and that can cause breakouts. I'm using these Radiance Wipes from Simple (review coming soon).
• If your eyes are red, make sure you aren't wearing contacts and apply some eye drops. If they're puffy, try these eye pads.
• If your lips are chapped, apply some lip balm. See my recipe here for a DIY lip scrub.
• To blur imperfections, use your favorite tinted moisturizer/BB/CC cream. I'm using Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream.

conceal/brighten/contour 

• Next, add concealer underneath the eyes to hide circles. I'm using Cover Girl + Olay concealer.
• Try a brightening concealer to help hide the redness around the nose. Note: if the redness is severe, try a green corrector. I used Maybelline Age Rewind and a Sigma E50 brush to blend.
• To add some color to my pale face, I lightly brush some bronzer (NYC in Sunny) along my temples, cheekbones, and my lower jawline. 
• Noses tend to swell when we're sick, so I lightly contour the sides of my nose with the bronzer.

blush/waterline/lips/mascara

• To help eyes look more awake, use a white or nude pencil to line to waterline of eyes. I'm using Studio Gear cosmetics pencil (see review of their products here).
• You can also help eyes look awake with a champagne-shimmery shadow, but I skipped that today.
• Curl lashes and add mascara if desired.
• To add some more color, use a cream blush, like this one from Revlon. The color looks really bright, but it goes on so naturally.
• Finish the look with color on the lips.
• For my hair, I sleep on a satin pillowcase, which prevents tangles and frizz. I literally just raked my fingers through my hair and that was it!

after!

DON'T FORGET:

• I separate the brushes I use when I'm sick from my other brushes by keeping them in a cup. Once my sickness is over, I disinfect them with rubbing alcohol. My favorite is the Sigma F80.

keepin' it real with dirty brushes

By the way, my earrings I'm wearing are from Anjolee! They're so pretty! Check them out for your jewelry needs, including Diamond Hoop Earrings and Diamond Stud Earrings.