Despite the best-laid plans, you’re bound to run into an occasional beauty crisis. Here are some immediate beauty prescriptions to get you through those tough moments. From Trish McEvoy: The Power of Makeup by Trish McEvoy
Dilemma: You had a bad night’s sleep.
Beauty RX: Focus on lightening any shadowy areas and add subtle touches of brightness to your complexion and lips. Start by blending concealer over dark areas, especially under the eyes and i n the nasolabial folds around your mouth. Don’t make an arc under your eyes; dab it only and exactly where needed. Add a pop of rosy blush to your cheeks and slip on a slightly brighter, translucent lip color. (Avoid opaques on tired skin.) I also like a light dusting of bronzing powder. Mascara does wonders for opening the eyes, creating the illusion of a wide-awake face.
Dilemma: It’s the morning after a late-night dinner or party.
Beauty RX: First, moisturize your skin because you’re probably a bit dehydrated. You probably look tired, too. Tempting as it is, don’t overcompensate with makeup, because it will only point up what you’re trying to hide. If you have dark circles, reach for the concealer and apply directly on the shadows. Add some bronzer or blush to perk up your sallow complexion and consider some sheer lip color.
Dilemma: You woke up to a big, fat, pink blemish.
Beauty RX: If you can get to a dermatologist for a shot of cortisone, it will reduce the inflammation. If you can’t get to a dermatologist, whatever you do, don’t pick at it. Just forget that idea. Instead put on a drying lotion or medication and be sure to use a cotton swab, and apply the treatment only on the pimple itself. Let the treatment dry. Then take your concealer and apply it with a tiny brush, right on the top of the spot. Work it around in a one-centimeter-wide radius, then take a cotton swab and buff away the edges. Set with a touch of powder. Now comes the hardest part: just forget about it. Really, a pimple is just not worth ruining your day.
Dilemma: It’s been a long, tough day, yet you still have two meetings ahead of you.
Beauty RX: Take five minutes and refresh yourself. Step into the washroom and blot down what’s left of your makeup. Cup your hands and splash cool water on your face. Pat dry. Take out your emergency kit and start to patch up for round two. Apply foundation or powder, a touch of blush, add foundation to the lips to allow a fresh lipstick application, and reapply a dressier color from your arsenal, one with a touch of depth or shimmer . . . it will give you that pick-me-up. Re-powder over eye makeup, it will even it all out and erase the day’s smudges. Now you’re ready for the rest of what today brings!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Trish McEvoy, author of Trish McEvoy: The Power of Makeup (Copyright © 2003 by Trish McEvoy), is the founder of Trish McEvoy Beauty and the cofounder of Trish McEvoy/Dr. Ronald Sherman Skincare Center in New York City. She has received numerous honors and awards for her work and has been featured in many magazines and newspapers and appears frequently on television. She also believes in helping women grow strong and is a supporter of the Girl Scouts U.S.A.
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LEARN MORE
- Read an excerpt from Trish McEvoy: The Power of Makeup
- See the book’s Table of Contents
- Browse more books about beauty
