I have the flu as I am typing this. When I woke up this morning, my face was white as a sheet (I’m somehow even more pale that I am already), I needed to have the bags under my eyes checked and my lips were almost transparent. Yep, I’m looking pretty good right now. But thanks to my makeup bag, I look less deathly ill than I did this morning. I mean, just because you feel like Death doesn’t mean you have to look like Death, right? Here are 5 tips that will help stop the dreaded “wow, you look sick” comments… because we all love those. 

I love almost everything about cold weather, but I am not down with cold and flu season. Although I take vitamins and go out of my way to make sure I’m being as healthy as I can, getting sick happens. And even worse, many of us have jobs where you can’t just call in and spend the day getting better. When I waited tables, I had to find someone to cover my shift, and if I was able to perform that miracle, then I had to find a manager to sign off on the shift change. It didn’t take me long to realize that if I was sick, I was going to work and there wasn’t much that I could do about it. I mean, come on, I was working around food. And I was sick. Oh hey, health code. And people love to tip sick people that are serving them food.

So, with that being said, if you have the flu or some major illness or infection that is contagious, do whatever you can to stay at home, away from people, if possible. For those unavoidable situations where you can’t stay at home and be a hermit, read on!

1. Use a brightening pencil to brighten up those tired eyes. Benefit’s Eye Bright has saved my poor peepers on many occasions, and in my opinion, it’s worth every penny. There are also a few more inexpensive options… Sephora makes a jumbo eye pencil in pink (I believe it’s 507Y) and NYX has a cheaper option as well.

2. Avoid wearing purple-ish eyeshadows or anything brighter than your eye color. Purple colors will only make your red eyes look worse, and anything bright on your eyelids will make your eyes look tired. Opt instead for a softer, muted colors. Clinique has a really good two-in-one, as well as Too Faced, NYX and Physician’s Formula.

3. If you’re white as a sheet (like I am right now), bronzer is your friend. Sweep some bronzer on your cheekbones and forehead (skip your nose if it’s red and irritated) for a healthy-looking glow. Top that with a creamy blush (it will look a bit more dewy and less powdery than a powder blush.) Don’t use a ton though, just dab a makeup sponge onto some peachy-pink cream blush and apply to the apples of your cheeks. For bronzer, try e.l.f. or Wet n’ Wild or MAC. For blush suggestions, keep reading. :)

4. Never skip blush if you’re sick. Or ever, really. This makes a world of difference. As tired and lazy as I get whenever I’m sick, I always remember to apply some (pinky peachy) blush, and it makes a world of difference. MAC creme blush in posey is my favorite, but for some more inexpensive options, try Maybelline or Almay.

5. Keep your lips hydrated with a pop of lip color. My lips always either seem to disappear when I’m sick, or they’re so red and chapped that it looks like I have lipstick on. Horrible. If your lips are invisible, apply a sheer gloss. The gloss will make your lips feel hydrated, and it’s easier to reapply after drinking a ton of fluids. I never wear anything other than gloss because my lips are chapped, and it always makes my lips look even more dry and gross. I love Revlon glosses, as well as MAC and Bath & Body Works (the tinted mentha lip shine is great.)

I hope some of these tips help! Do any of you under-the-weather Lovelies have any tips for looking better than you feel?

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