Soothe Irritated Skin
All the extra facial rubbing and itching that comes along with the flu can leave your skin irritated (especially if you're like me and have dry skin anyway). Look for products loaded with anti-inflammatory ingredients like Green Tea and Willow Herb Extract to calm irritated areas and replenish the skin with antioxidants like Vitamin C, Olive Oil, and Chamomile.
Disguise Redness, Dark Circles, and Puffy Eyes
This is a tricky one. It's hard to cover up what a lingering cold can leave behind--dull, pale, and fatigued-looking skin. On top of that, redness around the nose is exacerbated each time you wipe away the sniffles or blow your nose. Adding to this pretty picture, dark circles and puffiness under the eye increase as congestion and restless sleep take their toll. Ew. Not fun.
That said, you can disguise redness, puffy eyes, and dark circles by applying a light-weight moisturizer brimming with soothing agents and hydrating ingredients around the eyes and nose area and then applying a matte-finish concealer over those areas. (A concealer with a matte finish is better able to withstand the day's wear and tear, as opposed to one that's creamy or greasy). The color should be just a shade lighter than your natural skin color to convincingly camouflage flaws, and you should follow up with a sheer layer of liquid highlighter on the cheeks and around your hairline to add a radiant glow and draw attention away from the problem areas.
Heal Chapped Lips
As un-sexy as it sounds, being stuffed up from a cold or flu tends to result in more mouth-breathing and drooling through the night, which in turn leads to dry, chapped lips. It is essential to apply an emollient-rich lip balm before you go to bed to ensure smooth, hydrated lips in the morning. Keep the balm by your bedside so you don't forget. During the day, maintain your lips with a moisturizing lip color.
Liven Up Cheeks with a Rosy Glow
Apply a bit more blush than usual to enliven your skin. Don't overdo it, but adding another layer can really make your skin look a lot less dull. It takes mere seconds to apply and will make a huge difference in your overall appearance. The trick is to apply it softly and to blend evenly so it doesn't look like a stripe.
Don't Overdo It
When you're sick, stick to the makeup basics, or you could end up looking like a hot mess by the end of the day. Forget about doing a heavy eye-makeup design and leave the red lipstick at home. Focus on the guidelines above, along with a tinted moisturizer, foundation, or powder to even out your skin tone, and a waterproof mascara if your eyes are watering.
There you have it! Now you can look great even when you're feeling horrible. Huzzah!