#ffshaving

 No matter how hard we try – and what amazing skin routine we religiously go by, we can’t avoid the dreaded acne flare-up. It happens to the best of us, but don’t worry, we have the 5 best tips on how to cover up those annoying spots.

1. Understand your skin type

To start with, reducing the amount of spots starts with a logical product approach. You should avoid using products that are highly perfumed or too oily, as they will aggravate your skin. You also need to maintain a basic skincare regime. We all know the importance of removing makeup at night (though the majority of us gals are rubbish at this!), however this is even more important if you suffer from blemish-prone skin as makeup and dirt can block pores and lead to flare-ups. Pretty obvious eh?  You can find plenty of affordable foaming face washes which are fab to get rid of traces of makeup and excess oil for quick and easy cleansing. Sorted!

 2. Choose your foundation wisely

If you suffer from blemishes & acne flare-ups, it only makes sense that wearing heavy makeup can cause your skin to fall out with you and cause a bitta’ drama. You should always start with a minimal base, as you can keep building it up from there (though obvs not too much). If you can't bear to go foundation-free (like our good selves), you should try using an oil-free formula with a mattifying powder on top. Or, if you’re out and know you’ll be getting photographed, you should look for long-wear foundations. Appaz there are a lot of long-lasting foundations on the market that are great, particularly if you suffer from oily skin.

3. Apply concealer like a pro

Most importantly, pls DON'T overload your spots with concealer, you should only use concealer where you need it! Use a concealer that’s not light reflecting, as this will draw attention to and emphasis any blemishes. And nobody wants that- do we? For best results, you should add concealer after foundation as you can really see where you need to use it. Another fab trick is to set it with a dab of powder so it stays put. When it comes to formulas look for a concealer that has spot-fighting benefits – it’s like a 2 in 1!

4. Draw attention to your eyes and lips

Don't let your spots rule gals! Remember that you can wear any makeup look, regardless of whether or not you have blemished skin. Be proud of your imperfections! But, you should just be start with where you draw attention to. A strong makeup look, such as a smoky eye or a statement lip are a great way of detracting from problematic skin. An even better excuse to rock that red lip!

5. Make your matte finish last

Getting ridda’ face shine can be as frustrating as fighting spots, so to keep your face shine-free throughout the day, use a mattifying moisturiser underneath your foundation, and finish with a little powder along your t-zone. This will keep the skin looking less oily and again, detract from imperfections. Ta-da, you’re ready to go!

So it’s half way through the week, and we’re all feeling tired and grumpy. Friday is near, and we can’t wait to have that first sip of wine come 5pm. But first, we must get through these last few days!  To help you battle through, we’ve came up with a few tips to beat the mid-week fatigue.

1.     Snack wisely

Sadly – a packet of walkers just isn’t going to cut it gals. It’ll help momentarily but then you’ll crash and want to eat the whole corner shop.  Nibbling on dried fruit, nuts or berries through the day will help balance out your hunger pangs. As boring as it may seem, it’ll be worth it and your waist line will thank you! Or, we guess you could just pop to Maccies..

2.     Get your butt to the Gym in the morning

We know we know – going to the gym isn’t the most exciting part of your day, especially on Hump Day. But, it might actually help you get through your 9-5 with higher energy levels. Actually, we know the gym sounds awful. Set your alarm for 8:30 and get ready in 5 mins and run to work. Sorted.

3. Stay hydrated throughout the day

Water helps give you all those important nutrients, so the body can repair itself and work more efficiently. Meaning your boss will be v happy as you’ll get a lot more work done! Your brain will also thank you for it, as it reduces the likelihood of headaches! You could also buy a 2 litre bottle of pop if water doesn’t tickle ya’ fancy.

4. Get an early night on Tuesday

A minimum of seven or eight hours’ sleep is essential to keep you operating at your best through the day. But we know, that getting an early night is like, the hardest thing to do in the world, right? Especially with Netflix in our lives. Ideally, make sure you’re in bed before 11, with no phones/laptops/TV (we know, it’s a struggle) to help switch off.  We also find using ear plugs and a sleep mask helps a hella’ lot. Or drinking a few glasses of wine before you hit the hay.

5. Meditate

This one might seem a bit impossible, especially if you work in a 9-5 office job. But, just pop into the toilet cubicles and have a quick 5 min meditation sesh and you’ll be good to go. Or if you don’t fancy acting like a hippy, we’d recommend punching the wall repeatedly as the perfect method of stress reduction.