You may have been up all night running tissues and cold compresses to your child, but you’ve still got to show up to that staff meeting this morning looking a little more human. In between dispensing doses of cough syrup and medical advice to the babysitter, you can pull off a sophisticated, office-appropriate look in five minutes. Bonus: You may even have time to brew yourself a cup a tea. 

Step 1: Get Glowing

Tinted moisturizer camouflages a red nose and dark circles. With your fingers, smooth an illuminating formula over any inconsistencies, patting a little extra at the under-eye area. Do the same on any stress blemishes that may have popped up overnight.

Step 2: Wake up Tired Eyes

First, line the upper lash line; use a deep brown shade for a more natural finish. Then curl lashes and apply two or three coats of volumizing mascara to the upper lashes. (Tip: To avoid clumps, circle the wand as you take it out of the tube, which removes excess formula.) Dab a light-reflecting concealer at the inner corners of your eyes for a wide-awake look.

Step 3: Add a Rosy Flush

Trust me when I say this: A peachy blush stick is every woman’s best friend. The color adds a bit of glow to any skin tone. Choose a formula with a hint of shimmer for extra radiance. Apply it to the middle of the cheekbones and at the brow bone; blend in with fingers.

Step 4: Consider Bold Lips

Deep red lips scream confidence. Slick on a lip stain for serious stay-put power. Plus, a true red with blue undertones will also brighten a dull smile.

Step 5: Get Slick

No time to fuss with your blow-dryer or curling iron? Sweep your hair in a chic chignon for instant sophistication. Part your hair down the middle, gather it at the nape of the neck and fasten with a non-slip holder. Divide the ponytail in two sections. Coil the first around the base and fasten with a bobby pin. Repeat with the second section, tucking the ends underneath the elastic. Spritz with a stronghold hairspray.

Step 6: Accessorize

Nothing says pulled-together like a well-cut jacket. Place a black or navy blazer over any top for instant polish, and add a scarf for a pop of color.

Photo by Nojan Namdar on Unsplash

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You’re in serious need of a pampering day at the spa, but you’re short on time and money. The solution? Transform your own bathroom into a sanctuary. At the Lake Austin Spa Resort, I teach classes on how to turn common kitchen and garden ingredients into luxurious skin scrubs, bath salts and more.

The key is using herbs and flowers. Certain aromas have a powerful effect on the nervous system, leaving you feeling relaxed or energized. I recommend using the following ingredients for their scents:

• Lavender
  This soothing, antimicrobial herb has been shown to help you relax and get a good night’s sleep. Wesleyan University conducted a 31-person study and found that when people sniffed lavender before bedtime, they got more slow-wave (or deep) sleep and reported feeling more energetic in the morning.
• Eucalyptus
• Developing research suggests this woodsy scent may help break up mucus and stop coughs, according to the National Institutes of Health. And a study published in the journal Respiratory Medicine shows that eucalyptol, the active ingredient, has anti-inflammatory properties.
• Mint
• Perfect for hot days, spearmint and peppermint are cooling and refreshing. And a recent study published in the International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy also found that applying menthol to the skin increases blood flow.
• Ginger
• When grated and added to a bath, the spicy root provides an invigorating sensory energy-boost. It can be mixed with coconut oil for a mildly exfoliating scrub.
• Rosemary
• This herb has a refreshing, stimulating effect.
• Rose Petals
  Pluck them from your own garden to add a sweet fragrance to any bath or body treatment.

Once you’ve chosen your herb, mix them up with one of the following recipes. With a few household ingredients, you can go from stressed and tired to relaxed and glowing:

Basic Bath Infusion

• 4 cups fresh herbs (or 2 cups dried)
• 4 cups water
• Boil water in a large pot; add herbs. Stir, cover and remove from heat. Steep for 10 minutes, strain and pour into a hot bath.

Soothing Bath Bag

• 1/4 cup powdered milk
• 1/4 cup Epsom salt
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup dried herbs
• 10 drops of essential oil

Stir together all ingredients and place in a muslin bag (or several layers of cheesecloth); secure with a rubber band. Add to hot bath and steep for several minutes. Open the bag and use the softened herbs as an exfoliating body scrub. You can also seal unused bags in a glass jar for several months.

Energizing Coffee Body Scrub

• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 4-inch sprig of fresh rosemary
• 1/4 cup coffee beans, finely ground
• 2 tablespoons bentonite clay (found in health food stores)
• 3 tablespoons oil, such as olive, grapeseed, coconut or avocado
• 3 drops each of rosemary oil and grapefruit or peppermint oil

Combine sugar and rosemary in a spice grinder and process until finely ground. Pour into a medium-sized bowl and mix with the remaining ingredients. Use the scrub on skin; shower off. Moisturize with additional body oil.

Skin-softening Bath Blend

• 1/4 cup rolled or instant oatmeal
• 1/4 cup milk powder
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup herbs of choice
• 10 to 15 drops of essential oil
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 teaspoons body oil

In a food processor, combine oatmeal, milk powder, sugar and herbs until coarsely ground. Pour in bowl and combine with essential oil, honey and body oil. Place in muslin bag and steep in a hot bath for a few minutes. Use cold tea bags (green tea or chamomile) over your eyes as you enjoy your bath.

 

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Photo by Sharon McCutcheon on Unsplash

 

When it comes to holiday makeup, sometimes less is more. You don’t need to pull out every trick in the book to look fabulous. Instead, consider simplifying your routine by playing up one favorite feature: Make your eyes, cheeks or lips the center of attention. Not only will you ramp up the glamour, but you’ll also cut down on your prep time – so you can get out there and enjoy the season.

So before your next fete, consider my tips for makeup application:

Tip for Makeup Application No. 1: Bold lips
Nothing says glamour like a beautiful dark lip. Whether you prefer a true red or rich merlot, start with a lip liner for precise, smudge-proof lips. Choose a matching shade and line your lips; then fill in with the lipstick. Blot with a tissue, and then swipe on another layer.

For a pretty smile, I recommend applying a teeth-whitening strip beforehand. It brightens your teeth a shade or two, creating a greater contrast with your lip color. And to avoid going overboard, keep the rest of your face minimal and clean: Think subtle eye color and neutral cheeks.

Tip for Makeup Application No. 2: Lush lashes

Fringing your eyes with long, thick lashes makes your entire face pop. I recommend picking up a strip of false lashes at the drugstore. If you’re nervous about application, consider a few single lashes. You can place these at the outer corners of your eyes for a full fringe.

For an even more dramatic look, line the inner rims of your eyelids with a black waterproof eyeliner. More fair-skinned people can use a brown shade. Then dab a light frosted eye shadow in your tear duct and right beneath the brow bone. This will illuminate your eyes, making them appear even bigger. Finish off the look with a few swipes of black mascara.

Tip for Makeup Application No. 3: Pink cheeks
Pink cheeks create a pretty party glow. The biggest mistake that I see is women tend to choose a shade that’s too dull or dusty for their complexion. Consider a bright pink: Even though it may look intimidatingly loud in the package, it swipes on sheer. So you get a beautiful flush instead of a neon stripe. I recommend heading to your local cosmetics store and experimenting with different shades.

To apply, brush onto the apples of your cheeks (the area of your cheeks that rise when you smile). If you want a shimmery look, finish by swiping some iridescent powder right on along your cheekbone in the shape of your face.

Photo by freestocks on Unsplash

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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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The path to a perfect complexion is far from one-size-fits-all: what you need to do depends on the type of skin you have. If you’re unsure what category you fall in, do this test suggested by Julie Lindh, a New York-based aesthetician and skin care consultant: “Wash your face and wait a minute before putting on any moisturizer,” she says. If it feels tight all over, you have dry skin. Only tight in a few areas, like your cheeks? You have combination skin. And if it doesn’t feel tight anywhere, you have oily skin.

Once you’ve identified complexion, use the following personalized skin care tips to get glowing.

If your face is oily…

• Use a powdered sunscreen. “You have to protect your face from the sun, but moisturizing sunscreens can make you look shiny and clog pores,” says Dr. Rebecca Kazin, the medical director of Johns Hopkins Dermatology and Cosmetic Center. A powder sunscreen, which you apply like foundation, provides coverage without adding greasiness -- and you can reapply without messing up your makeup.
• Blot, blot, blot. “You don’t want to constantly be putting on face powder to conquer shine,” says Kazin. Stash blotting paper or tissues in your purse, and dab your nose, forehead and chin throughout the day.
• Embrace acid. “Products made with acids can decrease oil production while helping with fine lines, wrinkles, brown spots and acne,” says Kazin. “Use a cleanser that includes salicylic or glycolic acid. And at night, apply a lotion with retinoic acid.”
• Exfoliate! “Dead skin and extra oil clog pores, bringing on blackheads,” says Lindh. “That’s why you need to exfoliate twice a week in the winter, and three times when it’s hot and humid out.” (But avoid scrubbing more often, which can generate more oil production.) Don’t want to invest in another product? Try this skin care tip: Dip wet fingers in baking soda and use that to scrub off the dead skin.

If your face is dry…

• Opt for creams, not lotions. “Moisturizers that come in a pump bottle have to be thinned out,” says Kazin. Instead, buy the ones that come in tubs, which are thicker and creamier.
• Get a super-moisturizing sunscreen. “Using [a moisturizing sunscreen] on top of a moisturizer in the morning will do a lot for dry skin,” says Kazin. Or try a moisturizing foundation with sunscreen.
• Go for a low dose of acid. Using a serum or lotion with retinoic acid can improve the appearance of your skin, but too much of the ingredient can irritate dry skin. Kazin recommends looking for products with 0.05 retinoid, and rubbing it on in the evening. Try exfoliating once or twice per week in the winter and up to three times in the summer.
• Pile on the products at night. “While you’re sleeping, your skin is hard at work repairing itself,” says Lindh. “So before you go to bed, put on a thick, creamy moisturizer and a moisturizing serum. And one night a week, try sleeping with a moisturizing mask on.”

If you have combination skin…

• Have a split personality. “When you have some areas that are dry, and others that are oily, you need to have two different skin regimens depending on what area you’re treating,” says Kazin. “For example, usually the T-zone is oily and the cheeks are dry, so use extra moisturizer on your cheeks and a lighter product on the oily parts.” You may need to try out a mix of the skin care tips above.

Photo by Kimia Zarifi on Unsplash

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