Beauty: Fix your festive beauty fails
Fuss-free solutions at your fingertips
It’s the busiest time of the year, so the last thing you need is to fuss over a chipped nail or a pimple rearing its ugly head. Luckily, there are some pretty savvy products that are designed purely to make our lives easier, so stock up and carry on partying.
1 A spot of bother A boozy diet, late nights – whatever the cause, breakouts happen to us all. Collection Cosmetics Primed & Ready Anti-Blemish 2 in 1 Concealer, £4.99, combines prevention and solution. The coloured inner core is designed to colour-correct, reducing redness, while the outer section is a normal concealer. What’s more, the stick is infused with witch hazel to tackle the blemish while it’s covered up, for smoother skin while you party.
2 See off stray greys There are some seriously good solutions for root regrowth outside the salon but, if you’re caught unawares on the go, getting an aerosol can out isn’t ideal. L’Oréal Paris Magic Retouch Precision Instant Grey Concealer Brush, £8.99, uses the colour technology behind their best-selling concealer spray, loaded on to a mascara wand that you can comb through your hair. Slim enough to fit into your handbag – and it shampoos out.
3 Chipped nails No time for another mani? Don’t pick at it! If it’s a nail break, gently file it away to a smooth finish. If your polish has flaked away, too, don’t try to fix it with the same shade, as it won’t look seamless. Instead, add a glittery finish to the offending area. Rimmel makes sparkly polishes in several shades, starting from £2.99. Then, lessen your chances of future chips by adding an extra layer of top coat every couple of days, which will strengthen and protect your colour.
4 Patchy tan Someone spill Prosecco on you? ‘If your tan has broken down and become patchy, a quick, instant fix is to use St. Moriz Advanced Pro Formula Ultra Finish, £9.99,’ says St. Moriz expert tanner Jordan Cook. It’s a ‘tancealer’, instant colour that you can dab over the affected area, essentially colouring in the pale spots. As for long-term solutions, ‘Moisturising is key,’ says Jordan, especially in the winter. This will stop your tan becoming uneven.
5 Brush on brows Overplucked, or had a too-dark tint? Draw your way out of a disaster! Benefit Brow Contour Pro 4-in-1 Defining & Highlighting Brow Pencil, £28.50, is like one of those multi-pronged pens we all used to have but, instead of coloured ballpoint nibs, you’ll find two brow shades, a highlighter and a definer. Using light strokes, bulk out patchy sections with the definer, or defuse a heavy tint job with the highlighter.