Taking a vacation should be relaxing. But it’s all too easy to get stressed out about what to pack -- especially when it comes to your cosmetics. We asked makeup artist Elisa Tallerico, celebrity makeup artist and MTV hairstylist, for her tips for packing a beauty bag. Read on to find out what to bring to look flawless without weighing down your luggage.

 

Makeup Tip No. 1: Pack makeup palettes.  
Instead of hauling around every blush, bronzer and eye shadow that you might want to use on your trip, find your favorite shades in a quad or duo compact. "Many makeup brands offer palettes that you can build yourself," says Tallerico. "This allows you to swap out which shades you want to bring with you, and which you want to leave at home."

Makeup Tip No. 2: Simplify your brush set.  
“When traveling, pack one powder brush, one blush brush and a flat concealer brush," says Tallerico. Your blush brush can be used for contouring, and a concealer brush easily doubles as an eye shadow brush. Some makeup brands also offer travel-sized brushes, which are smaller and easier to pack. Instead of bringing sponges, you can use Puffs facial tissues to blend in your make-up.

Makeup Tip No. 3: Use multitaskers.
"Makeup doesn't have to be used for only one thing," says Tallerico. A pink, shimmery lipstick can double as a cream blush: Dab a small amount onto the apples of your cheeks and blend. To use a light, shimmery eye shadow as a highlighter, sweep it onto your cheekbones to brighten your look. Bronzer can also be used as a contouring powder for your face.

Makeup Tip No. 4: Avoid unnecessary tools.
Instead of toting your eyeliner and a sharpener, Tallerico recommends seeking out self-sharpening eyeliner, which has a sharpener built right into the cap of the liner. The right mascara will lift and curl your lashes, allowing you to leave your eyelash curler at home.

Makeup Tip No. 5: Bring travel-sized items.
One of the best ways to lighten your makeup bag is to bring your beauty products down to size. "Most brands make a travel-sized version of their products," says Tallerico. For example, instead of toting along a whole box of tissues for makeup touchups, just tuck a pack of Puffs to Go in your bag. Can’t find your favorite product in miniature? Invest in small reusable containers to fill up.

Let’s face it: Most of us prefer applying makeup to taking it off. So that may explain why many women aren’t removing their makeup correctly, which can lead to clogged pores and blemishes. To get the right technique -- and score a glowing complexion -- consider the following expert guide:

DON’T go overboard. When it comes to your skin, more isn’t always better. Beware of products that can dry out your skin, like harsh facial scrubs -- especially if you have a sensitive complexion. Dana Elise, a Beverly Hills aesthetician with a bevy of celebrity clients, advises against using baby wipes, which aren’t gentle enough for delicate faces. Instead, stick with makeup remover and tissues.

DO make it a habit. If your made-up face hits the pillow more than you’d like to admit, set up a makeup removal station at your nightstand. It should include makeup removal pads or towels, although Elise recommends using them sparingly to avoid drying out your skin. Another smart staple: witch hazel, which acts as a refreshing astringent for oily to dry skin, and tissues to apply it.

DO go in order. First things first: Remove makeup from lips and eyes. Your eye makeup remover can do double duty on your lips, although petroleum jelly or olive oil and a tissue also work. Next, use a gentle cleanser to rinse off foundation and dirt. Finish with a moisturizing serum.

DON’T choose any cleanser. Just like you pick your lip color based on your skin tone, you should match your makeup remover to your skin type. Take a cue from Elise: Opt for an oil- and alcohol-free product if you have oily or combination skin. Have a normal, sensitive or dry complexion? Pick a milk-based wash to keep your face baby soft.

DON’T wash with hot water. Experts say that it can remove protective oils, which can dry out your skin. Instead, use cool or warm water to rinse your face.

DO use a headband. Elise recommends leaving this face-washing staple on overnight: It keeps hair off of your forehead, which can minimize breakouts.

Life doesn't stop when you're feeling under the weather. That's especially true for television: Even if an anchor or reporter is battling a cold or allergy symptoms, the show must go on. As a makeup artist for “Good Morning America,” it's my job to cover up those telltale red noses and blotchy spots.

So the next time you're sick or suffering from allergies and have to face the world, try using a few of my tried-and-true tricks that’ll make you look fabulous!

1. Brighten sallow skin.
For a fresh complexion, wash your face with an exfoliating scrub to slough off dead, tired-looking skin cells. Don't have any scrub on hand? Try making your own by mixing coffee grounds and full-fat milk. The caffeine (which has popped up in plenty of skin care products) acts as an anti-inflammatory, tightening your pores and shrinking visible blood vessels.

2. Disguise a red nose.
Continuously blowing your nose can leave your skin dry and chapped. Be gentle on your nose by using only soft tissues, like those with lotion, and applying moisturizer regularly. Skip the petroleum jelly on your nose, though, since it can clog pores and lead to breakouts.

To mask the redness, apply a layer of foundation. A cream-based kind will give you an even skin tone, without that caked-on appearance. Using your finger or a makeup sponge, dab some concealer to cover up any remaining ruddiness on your nose.

3. Clear up tired eyes.
When the anchors come in at the crack of dawn, I often reach for eye-whitening drops, which mask tired, bloodshot eyes. One warning: Since the drops I prefer to use are tinted blue, I always make sure to have a tissue on hand to wipe up the excess moisture after use.

For dark under-eye circles, use a concealer with orange undertones. Steer clear of violet or purple eye shadow when you're sick or exhausted; the shade will draw attention to those purplish under-eye circles, making you look even more tired.

4. Moisturize chapped lips.
Slough off dead skin with an exfoliating scrub formulated for lips, or make your own by mixing sugar with a dab of olive oil. Rub the concoction on your lips, wipe it off and dab on some lip gloss or balm for a healthy-looking smile.

5. Clear your voice.
If you're meeting with clients or presenting to a group, the last thing you want is to sound congested. So try an over-the-counter decongestant, which helps temporarily clear up the gunk in your nose. Also sip some hot tea with lemon and honey, which can help soothe your throat and ease that husky voice.

6. Brighten up.
For a finishing touch, brush a little pink blush on the apples of your cheeks. Being sick can drain your face of color -- the blush will add a natural rosy glow. So even if you feel like crawling into bed, you'll still look energized.

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In the movies, chilly weather leaves starlets looking rosy and flushed. But in reality, the biting wind, harsh temperatures and dry air can take a toll, leading to an irritated, pasty complexion.

Tired of itchy, chaffed skin? We asked the experts to share their advice on safeguarding your skin from the elements. Here’s what they said.

Skin Protection Tip No. 1: Moisturize the right way.
“In the winter, you may need to swap your normal lotion for a thicker cream that’s more hydrating,” says Maggy Hazard, lead aesthetician for The Spa and Wellness Center at Stowe Mountain Lodge in Vermont. She also recommends using a facial serum. “Apply a thin layer on your neck and face before your lotion or night cream,” she says. “The serum has smaller particles, so it can better penetrate your pores.”

For the best results, rub on lotion immediately after showering. “You want your skin to be slightly damp,” says Dr. Ahmet Altiner, an assistant professor of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College and owner of UWS Dermatology & Skin Care in New York City. “The lotion helps lock in the moisture.”

Skin Protection Tip No. 2: Turn down the heat.
Steamy showers feel good, but they can leave your skin feeling parched. That’s because hot water strips the skin of natural oils, says Altiner. Opt for lukewarm showers lasting no more than 10 minutes. Also use a mild soap, like those tailored to sensitive skin.

Skin Protection Tip No. 3: Consider a humidifier.
Your home’s heating system zaps moisture from the air, resulting in Sahara-like conditions. Using a humidifier can help soothe irritated skin, reports a study in the Archives of Environmental Health. 

Bonus: You’ll also fend off colds and flu in the process. Researchers from Oregon State University showed that the flu virus thrives in dry environments. Adding humidity to the air lowers the odds that those germs will survive for longer periods of time, say the experts.

Skin Protection Tip No. 4: Don’t forget the sunscreen.
Since you’re covered from head to toe, chances are protecting your skin isn’t the first health concern that comes to mind. In fact, 98 percent of Americans neglect to use sunscreen regularly during the winter, according to experts at Ohio State University. But the reality is that the sun is equally strong as in the summer. Plus, the snow can reflect 80 percent of those damaging UV rays, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

To protect yourself, slather on a product with SPF 30 on any exposed skin (for instance, your face, neck and hands) before heading outside.

Skin Protection Tip No. 5: Reach for the right tissues.
On average, adults come down with two to four colds each year, more often during the winter months than any other time of year. All of those sniffles and sneezes can do a number on your skin, resulting in a red, chapped nose. “That’s why it’s important to invest in soft tissues with lotion,” says Hazard. “They’re gentler.” She also recommends dabbing your nose with a protective ointment, lotion or oil.

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Photo: Corbis Images

Between work and household responsibilities, chances are you’re in need of some relaxation and TLC. A day at the spa might do the trick. In fact, one study in the journal Complementary Therapies in Medicine found that spa visits were linked to better physical and mental health.

But finding the kind of time and money required for a spa day could cause more stress rather than put you at ease. So instead, set aside an afternoon in your own home and treat yourself to these DIY beauty treatments.

DIY Spa Day Step No. 1: Set the mood.

Your bathroom might be the most practical room for an at-home spa experience, but it also may be the least tranquil. Take a few minutes to get rid of anything that reminds you of household chores, like dirty laundry or stacks of toilet paper.

Then, change into comfortable clothes, light a scented candle and cue up some soothing tunes. According to Australian research, music and nature sounds can help reduce anxiety while increasing relaxation.

DIY Spa Day Step No. 2: Kiss chapped lips goodbye.

What we put on our bodies should be as safe as what we put in our bodies -- especially when it comes to the face, says Lori Conte, a New York City–based beauty expert. “Spa treatments made from food-based ingredients -- like sugar and salt scrubs -- are popular because they’re healthy and all-natural,” she says. “And they’re great for the skin.”

To make an exfoliating (and edible!) sugar scrub for dry lips, try Conte’s recipe: Mix 1 teaspoon of fine castor sugar with 1 teaspoon of sweet almond oil. Gently rub the mixture around the contours of your lips for 30 seconds, then wash off with water and wipe away excess with tissues, which are soft and won’t irritate delicate lip skin.

DIY Spa Day Step No. 3: Go green.

Avocados have antibacterial and antimicrobial properties; when applied to your face, the fruit can help reduce inflammation and clean pores. Plus, it can stimulate the growth of collagen and elastin -- proteins that keep your skin looking young, shows a study in the journal Phytotherapy Research.

To reap the skin-soothing benefits of avocado, try Conte’s favorite exfoliating mask: Mash together one avocado (cut into pieces), the juice from half a fresh orange, 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil. Spread evenly on your face and neck, leave on for 30 minutes, and then wash off with cold water.

After all traces of your mask are removed, a toner can help hydrate your skin and seal in moisture. To make sure you don’t overdo it, apply toner to a tissue folded into quarters, and then wipe the tissue across your face for an even application.

DIY Spa Day Step No. 4: Make a full-body exfoliant.

“When my skin is feeling dry or rough, I like to scrub it with a mixture of almond oil, sea salt and a drop of lemon oil,” says Conte. Make sure to use sea salt (not iodized salt) with small granules so it doesn’t scratch your skin, and mix with oil until you get a grainy, spreadable consistency.

Don’t have lemon oil at home? Cut a lemon in half and use it as your loofah: The citrus acts as a natural exfoliant to help slough away dead skin cells. Apply to arms and legs while you’re standing in or sitting on the edge of the bathtub; afterward, rinse off with warm water.

DIY Spa Day Step No. 5: Put your best foot forward. A professional pedicure involves more than just painting your nails, but that doesn’t mean you can’t duplicate the process at home. Fill your bathtub with warm water and a soothing bath salt, and let your feet soak as you remove any polish that’s currently on your toenails.

Cut or file your nails straight across, rounding the corners only slightly to avoid ingrown toenails, says Conte. Then apply cuticle oil to your toes and use a cuticle stick or a nail file to gently push back your cuticles. “Be careful here, because you’re not a professional,” she says. “Pushing too deep, or cutting or peeling off skin, is how you can end up with scabs or an infection.”

Next, exfoliate the bottoms of your feet with a pumice stone or a loofah, allowing the other foot to soak. Then, drain the tub and apply a thick lotion to your feet. Leave the lotion on for at least five minutes, then rinse your feet with fresh water and dry them off. Now for the color: To help separate your toes, twist up several tissues and wrap them around your toes, creating space between them. With a steady hand, apply two coats of color followed by a quick-drying top coat.

Leave the tissues between your toes for as long as possible to prevent your nails from rubbing against each other; try to remain still for at least 10 minutes. Use this time to read a magazine, call and catch up with an old friend, or just sit back and enjoy the peace and quiet.

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