How to Look Good when You're Sick

Are you feeling sick but it isn't possible to stay at home in your pyjamas and binge watch your favourite TV show on Netflix? Do you still need to go to work or school? Do you have plans that you simply can’t cancel? Whatever situation you find yourself in, there are some simple ways you can make yourself look healthier until you feel better again.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Getting Ready for the Day

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    Splash cold water on your face. When you are sick, you look tired and weak. Splashing cold water on your face will help close your pores and make you appear less tired. It will also leave you feeling refreshed.[1]
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    Apply some tinted lipbalm or blush to give yourself a vibrant, healthy look. Peachy or warm undertones will leave you looking natural and refreshed.[2] Applying a little bronzer to your jawline, upper cheekbones, and hairline can also help give you a healthy glow.[3]
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  3. Image titled Look Good when You're Sick Step 3
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    Put some concealer on your face if it is red and blotchy. Using a concealer with a hydrating base will not only moisturize your face, but it will also help cover up the areas of your face that are red and irritated.[4] However, you should avoid applying concealer to areas that are really dry and flakey as the makeup will cling to the flakes of skin and this will only make you look worse.[5]
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    Use only tissues infused with aloe vera. If you have a runny nose, you can avoid looking like Rudolph by investing in high quality tissues. Many brands now offer tissues that include lotions, which can alleviate redness.
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    Get dressed in clothing you'd regularly wear. Although it might be difficult to fight the urge to wear your pyjamas out in public when you're feeling under the weather, you should continue to dress as if you're feeling your best. Otherwise you risk drawing attention to yourself and the fact that you're sick.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Keeping Hydrated

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    Drink lots of liquids. When you are sick, your body is often dehydrated so you want to drink lots of liquids to rehydrate. You can drink water, juice, clear broth or warm lemon water with honey. The better hydrated your body is the healthier your skin will look.[6]
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    Eat low-sodium foods. Consuming too much sodium will only dehydrate you more. Avoiding processed foods can help you moderate your sodium intake.[7] Instead, try eating whole foods or, at least, looking for low-sodium options at the grocery store. You should also try to eat foods that will help rehydrate your body. While drinking water is best, eating fruits -- and even meats -- can also help you stay hydrated.[8]
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    Avoid long, hot showers. While long, hot showers may clear your sinuses, the hot water will dry out your skin. Use warm water instead and keep your showers under 10 minutes. Using a gentle non-soap cleanser instead of regular soap will also cut down on potential skin irritation. Regular soap strips your skin of important oils, making your skin dry and flakey.[9]
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    Moisturize your skin throughout the day. Applying a rich, thick cream multiple times a day will help rehydrate your skin. The thicker and greasier the cream is, the more it will trap and hold water in your skin. You can even use simple petroleum jelly, mineral oil, shea butter, and glycerin. Moisturizing regularly will help your skin appear healthier, even when you are sick.[10]
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    Use lip balm for dry, chapped lips. If you are sick, your lips are likely to show signs of dehydration. Apply a high quality lip balm to cover up the appearance of chapped lips. Check the ingredient list for petrolatum, which locks in moisture, and dimethicone, which seals off cracks and splits in drying lips. Don’t limit yourself to products with the word balm in them. Lip ointments are also a good a choice.[11]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Hiding Your Symptoms

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    Use eye drops to relieve dry eyes and redness. You can buy these over-the-counter at local pharmacies or drug stores. If you are unsure of which product is best, be sure to ask your pharmacist for a recommendation. Be sure to follow the instructions on the package and not to over-use them. Overuse of eyedrops can actually make your symptoms worse.[12]
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    Apply an over-the-counter cream to help heal cold sores. Many people get cold sores when they are sick. While cold sores will heal on their own, medications like Viractin Gel or Zilactin Cream can help speed up the healing process.[13] Start using the cream as soon as the symptoms are visible. In the meantime, use cover-up when necessary.
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    Reduce the puffiness of your eyes with ice cubes. Get two small freezer bags and put a couple of ice cubes in each one. Cover them with washcloths or towels and lay them on your eyes for 10 minutes. This will constrict the blood vessels and reduce the flow of fluid into soft tissues. [14]
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    Avoid applying too much makeup. Your makeup will look cakey if your skin is dehydrated. Try using loose mineral powder foundations and concealers with built-in moisturizers instead. This will hydrate your skin and make you appear healthier.
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    Brighten your eyes with eyeshadow. Using light, shimmery shades in warm hues is best. Avoid using blue and purple colours as they only emphasize red, watery eyes.
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    Avoid wearing mascara or choose a waterproof version. If your eyes are watery, the last thing you need is smudged eye makeup. This will only draw attention to your symptoms.[15]
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    Brush your teeth and smile a lot! Wearing a confident smile will make you look happy and healthy, even if you aren't feeling your best.
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Warnings

  • These steps won't cure your illness. They will only help cover it up. When you get back home, rest in bed or on the couch and drink some herbal tea.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
  • If you don't usually wear make-up, don't wear it when you are sick. People will notice the change in your behaviour.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
  • Make sure you don't put on too much make up, this can irritate your face even more.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
  • Avoid wearing perfume. It can irritate your skin and could make you feel worse.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
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References

  1. ↑ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3453765/The-simple-mistake-making-day-washing-face-DESTROYING-skin.html
  2. ↑ http://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/beauty-hair/a47862/makeup-for-sick-days/
  3. ↑ https://www.hercampus.com/school/tufts/6-makeup-tricks-sick-days
  4. ↑ http://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/beauty-hair/a47862/makeup-for-sick-days.
  5. ↑ http://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/beauty-hair/a47862/makeup-for-sick-days/
  6. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/common-cold/in-depth/cold-remedies/art-20046403
  7. ↑ http://www.getreadyforflu.org/clocksstocks/getreadyflusupplies.pdf
  8. ↑ http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/top-10-ways-to-stay-hydrated
  9. ↑ http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/features/soothe-skin#1
  1. ↑ http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/features/soothe-skin#1
  2. ↑ http://www.webmd.com/beauty/why-your-lips-are-chapped#
  3. ↑ http://www.webmd.com/eye-health/eyedrops-an-ocean-of-uses#2
  4. ↑ http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/tc/creams-and-ointments-for-cold-sores-topic-overview
  5. ↑ http://www.eyehealthweb.com/puffy-eyes/
  6. ↑ http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/features/covering-up-cold-and-flu-symptoms-beauty-tips#1

About This Article

wikiHow Staff
Co-authored by:
wikiHow Staff
wikiHow Staff Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. This article has been viewed 78,470 times.
47 votes - 77%
Co-authors: 33
Updated: June 3, 2021
Views: 78,470
Categories: Coping with Illness
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