Beauty Emergencies Quick Fix

We may live, breathe and write about beauty day-in-and-day-out, but that doesn't mean we don’t also have to put out the occasional beauty fire. It’s all a part of trying new products and experimenting with fresh techniques (which we’d NEVER stop doing). So, watch out annoying little hair, skin and makeup problems— these quick fixes are here to show you who’s boss. Take that!

The beauty emergency: A monster zit

The fix: Sometimes it’s like the pimple gods know when you have a big night out planned and wait until precisely that moment to let a big ‘ol zit appear. Not. Cute. To hide that sucker, first dab on a spot treatment and gently rub it in. In a pinch, I’ve used a tiny bit of acne fighting cleanser instead—my theory is that if it contains benzoyl peroxide, it can zap a zit. Next, dot a little BB Cream onto the pimple and pat it with your finger until it sinks in. Do another thin layer if you need to, and then set with Moodstruck Mineral Concealer.

The beauty emergency: Dark circles

The fix: When the telltale signs of a late night are there to greet you in the morning, cover them up with BB Cream. Use a small brush to blend the makeup from the darkest part of the undereye circle (usually the inner corner) outward. To avoid reverse raccoon eyes (a pale, ashy tint around your eyes), stick with a color that’s just one or two shades lighter than your skin tone. For staying power, set it with a light dusting of Moodstruck Mineral Concealer in Fresh. Another trick I use to fool people into thinking I got enough Zzzzs: rock a bright lipstick or Younique Lip Gloss (Lethal, my fave!) to keep the focus away from sleepy eyes. Sneaky, right?

The beauty emergency: Crease-y eye shadow

The fix: Whether you’re at (yet another) summer outdoor wedding or dancing at the club, you can easily repair pesky eye shadow creases with your finger. Just rub the color around your lids—very gently—to even it out. To avoid a smeary scene next time, prep your lids with foundation and a little powder or use Younique Glorious Face & Eye Primer.

The beauty emergency: No time to wash your hair

The fix: Refresh your hair with a dry shampoo. I like the ones you sprinkle on, as opposed to sprays, but both will do the trick. For a quick “wash,” separate your hair in random sections, apply the dry cleanser to your roots, massage it in and you’re done. The result: grease-free, fresh smelling strands. Nobody will ever guess you hit the snooze button four times.

The beauty emergency: Frizz (ugh!)

The fix: A cheap remedy for unruly hair might be hiding in your desk drawer: hand lotion. Rub a pea-sized amount between your palms and apply it to the ends of your hair to tame the frizzes before you head out to happy hour. Got curls? Scrunch on the lotion then leave your hair alone—finger combing will mess up your ringlets.

The beauty emergency: You’re out of shaving cream

The fix: No need to ditch your short skirt for pants—shave your legs with conditioner. Most of them are thick and creamy enough to mimic the texture of shave cream and will protect your skin against nicks and cuts. Phew!