Looking Good When You Don’t Feel So Great

“BE HAPPY, BE BRIGHT, BE YOU!”

I have a cold and I look as bad as I feel – itchy, irritated, red eyes; swollen eyelids at half-mast; a runny red nose, and dry cracked lips. But I can’t stay in bed. Responsibilities require me to get up and get going. Maybe you can relate. If so, it’s time to follow some tips on how to look like you’re on top of the world, instead of under the weather.

While you’re still in bed in the morning, fight back with a series of stretches to limber up and pump oxygen through your bloodstream to help you moving. Stretch your right leg toward the bottom of the bed while stretching your right arm up towards the headboard. Hold the stretch for a count of five, and then exhale. Likewise, stretch the left side. This should leave you feeling a little more alive.

Once you’re up, it’s a question of bath or shower. A bath can be wonderfully soothing, but if time is short and you must shower, make it comfortably hot and steamy. It’ll help clear your sinuses. Let the water run under your neck and shoulders to limber you up. After bath or shower, take time to apply our favorite moisturizing lotion as a protection against the drying effects of cold weather and central heating.

Don’t forget to apply a light film of protective cream on your face. If your nose is red and raw from continuous blowing, apply a little petroleum jelly on the area and let is soothe sore skin until time for makeup later on.

Good decongestant eye drops will soothe irritated eyes and help red eyes look less red. Compresses made from tea bags that have been steeped in ice-cold water are good for swollen eyelids. Tannic acid in the tea aids the cold in reducing swelling. For best results, place a tea bag over each eye and lie down for 10 minutes.

After a light breakfast, hot orange juice or lemonade does wonders to sooth a sore throat, be sure to brush your teeth. Fresh breath makes you feel fresh all over. Then flash a smile in the bathroom mirror, even a practice grin can perk you up.

Makeup is next, and oh, so essential to looking and feeling the best you can. Stay away from red, dark or heavy foundation makeup, if you’re fatigued, heavy foundation will only make you look even more tired and drawn. Hide red areas around your nose and under your eyes with concealing cream. Powder very lightly.

Void bright-colored eye shadows, turquoise or emerald green, that only accent red, making red eyes more noticeable. Instead, use muted colors such as soft gray or brown to minimize puffiness. Line the inner rims with a blue, blue-gray or midnight blue eye pencil to make the whites look whiter. A final coating of mascara will provide a nice frame for your eyes and detract from their redness.

Blusher does wonder to create a healthy looking glow to otherwise pale skin. Avoid lip liner on chapped lips. Lip balm followed by lipstick or lip-gloss not only adds needed color but also soothes and protects dry lips. Avoid dark, dramatic blush and lips colors in favor of a sheer, lighter peach or pink. Light colors have a perking-up effect.

Now that you’re ready to get dressed, it’s important to think in terms of boosting your ego. Now it’s not the time to wear your sloppiest, thrown together outfit simply because you don’t feel good. Instead, put on one of your favorite outfits, the one you always get compliments on. If you look great, chances are you’ll soon begin to feel more like it too.

During the day, refresh your lipstick and spritz on some perfume. Most of all think positively. Face the day with a smile, and if you’ve followed these tips, most people won’t even know that you have a cold.