Sick and Beautiful, Damnit!

*Disclaimer: This is not me, nor do I have a brass headboard!

I'm sick. Who cares? Well I'll tell you who cares! In these days of Ebola and flu pandemics, the general public that has to look at me would be the correct answer. 

I don't have the self esteem to deal with the stares and whispers from behind plastic masks. I also don't have the energy to do much more than lift my mug of green tea to my mouth, but my caffeine has kicked in and I decided to do a "Sick and Beautiful, Damnit!" post. Yes, this is a post on how to look beautiful when you're on deaths door. I've got that kind of time.

The Prep

When you're sick, it's even more important to take care of your skin, because if you're anything like me, your skin is probably dry as a bone. Hydration is key! 

Step 1

When you wake up in the morning, not feeling like P Diddy, cream cleansers are your friend, especially ones like Liz Earle's Hot Cloth Cleanse and Polish. The name is a mouthful but the product is the best cleanser I've ever used. The light eucalyptus oil used in this creamy cleanser wakes up your senses and quenches the skin without looking like you got caught diving, head first in the KFC bucket again. They have some great deals right now on their website and free shipping, so if you aren't feeling great, snap one up!

Andalou Naturals also has some great deals on their skincare. I use their Moroccan Beauty Oil (top rt) before I apply my Thousand Roses Day Cream. Yes it's a face oil and a cream moisturizer, but it won't make you break out and will baby your skin when it's dry and dehydrated. Oh and it's vegan and cruelty free. If you're into that kinda thing.

I usually apply my eye cream last but you can do whatever feels good to you. I've been using Origins Eye Doctor for a good 15 years and I still love how it babies my eye area! I really recommend this for any and everyone, unless you want lifting and wrinkle correction. This is straight up hydration, the best prevention. 

The Look

If you're leaving the house, use a BB Cream, like my fave from Tarte. In this case, you can skip your moisturizer if you are really oily or if you're getting ready right after your skin care. If you've been farting around all day and already put moisturizer on earlier, go ahead and put the BB Cream on top. 

Prime your eye lids with Shadow Insurance, also from Tarte. 

Using a blending shadow brush, apply Pixi's Subtly Sunlit Bronzer from lid to slightly above the crease. This will warm up dull eyes, giving them more life!

To brighten the brow bone and inner corner of the eyes, a light pearly shadow,  like Virgin from Urban Decay, is the trick. 

Another favorite trick of mine to brighten eyes is to use a navy blue or deep purple liner, like Urban Decay's 24/7 Liner in Vice. It plays off the whites of the eyes and brightens them naturally, making you appear awake or at the very least, alive. 

Just a warning: I took these pics up close with a bright flash, so you could see the color. The liner won't look like this in person unless you set it with a purple shadow or walk around with a spotlight..... and magnifying eye glasses.

Top lashes with a volumizing and lengthening mascara. I just got Urban Decay's Perversion sent to me to review and so far I'm loving it. It gives more of a natural, your lashes but better, look. I still think They're Real from Benefit is the best for full on glam, but this is nice for a more natural look.

Finish the eyes with a great brow pencil and brow gel. I like to use Chella's Brow Kit, as it has everything you need for the best brows. I am in dire need of a tweeze, but that's where I'm drawing the line in my beautifying the sick me.

The star of the sick show is truly the skin. The texture and tone is a dead giveaway that you've been under the weather.

Choosing Pixi's Subtly Sunlit Bronze bronzer you used as a shadow, apply in a 3 formation. Start at the temple, circle down beneath the cheekbone and circle down again to the jawline and blend. 

Using a true pink blush with a pearl finish, like Cupid from Clinique, on cheekbones, will brighten up your complexion and give you life. Promise.

Top your lips with a berry colored lip crayon like Tartes Flushed. It's minty, hydrating and looks so beautiful on all skin tones. Talk about "your lips but better", this is permanently in my makeup bag.

This is my favorite product to have on hand during the winter, but especially if I'm sick. Caudalies Beauty Elixir is the perfect pampering product. Is it vital to your life? I think so. You can use this to set makeup or for a quick pick me up during the day. The fragrance is light and herbal, the mist is light and refreshing,  but it really makes me feel more human and, strange as it sounds to my non beauty mavens, it truly makes me feel pretty when I'm sick...and everyone has time for that!

What are your cure all's, beauty and otherwise, for when you're sick? Kick me down an email at mo9191976@aol.com!

Bah! I forgot to blend away a mascara streak. Whatever.

XOXO MissLadyMo