Embracing spring would be a little easier if it didn’t come with dreaded allergies. You know the symptoms — itchy eyes, irritated skin, constant sneezing — basically looking and feeling like a hot mess. But hiding your symptoms is possible thanks to a few tried-and-true professional beauty hacks. It’s time to fight the good fight against allergy face and reclaim your love for spring and beyond. Read on for more.
The Bee’s Knees
“Maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle is my go-to motto. During allergy season, I especially take that into consideration,” shares Honey Artists celebrity makeup artist Min Min Ma. “Whenever my skin gets a rash or feels irritated, I do a honey mask and leave on the skin as long as possible. The only ingredient needed here is raw, unprocessed honey.” [Editor’s Tip: Make sure your skin is freshly cleansed before the mask.]
A Little Liner Goes a Long Way
This trick isn’t new, but there is a clever catch. Using a flesh-toned eye pencil on your waterline or inner eye can distract from excessive redness. “I can’t live without my eye waterline brightener,” shares Elizabeth Arden Global Makeup Artist Rebecca Restrepo. “It instantly makes anyone look fresh and revived. The trick is to not go too white. Stay more peachy white or beigeish white — [pure] white only works for the stage!” she advises.
De-Puff Like a Pro
According to Dr. Marina I. Peredo of Skinfluence NYC, cold compresses, cucumber slices and tea bags do work as a temporary solution for soothing the puffy undereye area. She’s also a fan of using an eye gel for a hard-working solve that will last all day long.
“My secret to calming the skin around the delicate eye area is Dickinson’s De-Puffing Eye Gel, this gel gently de-puffs the eye area using witch hazel, aloe and cucumber. It’s actually the first-ever witch hazel-based eye gel,” she says. [Editor’s Tip: Keep it in the fridge for a satisfying cooling sensation.]
Ma, who works with Hailee Steinfeld, Zosia Mamet and Debra Messing, recommends the following: first, minimize salt and alcohol intake as much as possible. “In the morning, apply a de-puffing eye cream, such as Kate Somerville Goat Milk De-Puffing Eye Balm followed by G.M. Collin eye patches. It works wonders!” she adds.
The Nose Knows
If your nose is excessively dry from constant nose blowing, you need a way to gently slough off dead skin. “Using a natural emollient like lanolin on your nose the way we would on our lips is how to treat this issue,” shares Honey Artists celebrity makeup artist Robert Greene. “A good trick is to use your lip balm (or what’s left on your fingers) on your nose where the dryness occurs. The Lanolips 101 Ointment is a favorite of mine. I pat some onto the dry areas of the nose during skin care and before any foundation.”
Founder and owner of Citrine Natural Beauty Bar Melissa Lenberg advises moisturizing around the clock to soothe/hydrate. “I love the CV Skinlabs Restorative Skin Balm as it is anti-inflammatory and will also help with redness,” she shares. “Using a face mask like May Lindstrom The Honey Mud will also help with any skin irritations.”
Revamp Your Routine
“Consider using hypoallergenic skin care products if you suffer from skin that is sensitive and prone to allergies,” advises Peredo. “It’s much better to use products with natural ingredients on your face anyway — they are a smart choice and really help minimize irritation.”
Greene suggests using a very hydrating moisturizer, like Avène Cicalfate Restorative Skin Cream. “I like to massage the face using the lymphatic drainage technique, which is effective in decompressing puffiness and at the same time I’m really working the moisturizer into the skin, deeply achieving super hydrated skin for makeup application.”
For irritation, he suggests a DIY chamomile tea toner that can be made easily at home. “Soak cotton pads in the tea and place all over the face for 10 to 15 minutes,” he shares. “This helps to combat redness and helps relieve skin issues.”
Go Bold and Bright
Feeling defeated? A few swipes of colorful lipstick can totally change that. “The best part of makeup right now is about making an impact,” explains Restrepo, who works with Ruth Negga, Carrie Coon, Kathryn Hahn, Patina Miller and Christine Baranski.
“A bright magenta, a deep russet or a lavender are all full of fun, impactful colors that help distract and look chic and sexy. My favorite of the moment is the Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Color Bold Liquid Lipstick in Seductive Magenta.”
[ Next: Hay Fever Hacks That Will Help You Survive the Summer ]
