Allergies kick my butt at least twice a year, but it’s my face that looks like it took a beating. Constant sneezing, a runny nose and watery eyes take a toll on my already sensitive skin. After just a day, wearing makeup with a runny nose is an impossibility or at the very least an ugly mess. I would never report to work au natural; I have too many blemishes that I’d rather keep hidden. When going barefaced is not an option, I take extra care to keep my makeup in place.
Runny nose makeup tips
Wear a silicone-based primer. According to WebMD, silicone-based face primers resist biological liquids like mucus and tears, making this product the perfect choice for runny nose makeup. This kind of face primer also smooths away fine lines and wrinkles that can appear more exaggerated under allergy conditions. Apply green or yellow correction concealer. Allergies and flu make the skin look red and blotchy. Neutralize redness with a green or yellow concealer. Only use the product on trouble spots like red nose creases. Don’t worry about it blending in, you’ll cover the concealer. Dab on tinted moisturizer, not foundation. Foundation can wash away because it doesn’t go deep into the skin. Tinted moisturizers, on the other hand, moisturize the skin but give it a natural, flattering skin tone. Pay attention to the areas around the hair and jaw line. Focus on the brows. When you’ve got perfect skin the eyebrows are often forgotten, except when we touch them up with a bit of brow pencil. Shape the eyebrows, plucking away strays for a neat face focus. Bronze the cheeks; do not wear red blush. If your nose and face are red and runny, don’t draw more attention to these areas by wearing blush on your face. Instead sweep on bronzing powder. Touch the cheekbones, right in front of the ears and sweep forward. Don’t tap the apples and sweep back. This application draws attention to the center of the face, right where you don’t want it! Roll on tinted lip balm. Constant nose blowing will disturb lipstick. Instead, roll on a natural looking, tinted lip balm for a bit of color. Avoid bold colors that make this area stand out.
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