In my How to Instantly Feel Better When Sick blog post I did a couple of years ago, I mentioned that when I’m sick, I still try my best not to “appear sick.” I’m a firm believer that if you look good, you feel good. Although you may feel like you’re dying in the inside, like I was this past week, allowing myself to “look sick” only made myself feel worse about myself.
I also mentioned in that post, that sometimes you just need a day or two to just lounge in some comfy sweatpants, hair up in a bun and wallowing away in your sickness sorrows. Today’s post, however, is all about making you physically look better when you’re sick. You may want to not look sick for a number of different reasons like you have a special occasion you need to attend, you still have to go to work, or you’re just sick of looking sick.
Whatever the case may be, below are my tips and products that I especially love using when I’m sick, to not look sick.
Hydrate
When I’m sick, I tend to get a lot of dry skin, especially around my nose, especially if I’ve been blowing it a lot. To combat the extra dry skin, especially in my nose area, I like to use my Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Hydrating Mask. I’ve mentioned this mask in the past on my blog and it’s still definitely a favorite of mine. I put this mask on after I get out of the shower and then leave it on overnight.
My skin is literally glowing the following morning, something that’s extremely rare when I’m sick.
Especially if I have to put makeup on, dry skin, especially around your nose, seems extremely noticeable when you put foundation on. Putting some of the Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Hydrating Mask on right around my nose area, instantly hydrates that area and in the morning I wake up with hardly any dry skin at all. If you struggle with dry skin around your nose, I definitely recommend trying this tip out!
Cleanse
When I’m sick, I shower, a lot. Not only is the steam from a hot shower amazing to open up your sinuses, but I just feel so gross when I’m sick. When I’m really taking care of myself, I take a shower before bed, as I normally would, and in the morning as soon as I wake up. Not only is the morning shower going to help you wake up, but using a revitalizing, eucalyptus or citrus smelling body wash, is going to help clear your sinuses as well and really wake yourself up.
The Bath & Body Works Stress Relief Body Wash with Eucalyptus Spearmint Aromatherapy is perfect when you’re feeling sick and really relaxes you, but also wakes you up with the combination of eucalyptus and spearmint.
Pamper
Something that always makes me feel better is taking time for myself and pampering myself. When you’re sick, you need to take time and give yourself a little TLC. Along with taking hot showers, I love to do skin treatments like face masks, eye masks and give my body a little TLC. Not only does pampering myself when I’m sick benefit me physically with helping my skin seem healthier and more awake, but also it helps me mentally, by cleaning my head and taking that time for myself.
Conceal
One of my favorite concealers when I’m sick, and in general, is the Tarte Shape Tape Concealer. When I’m sick, I tend to have darker than normal under eye circles. Using a thicker, full coverage concealer like the Tarte Shape Tape, is great to really conceal those undereye circles and therefore make me look more alive and awake. Using concealers, highlighters, and makeup to make yourself look more awake and your skin healthy and glowing will give the appearance of not being sick since when you’re sick, your skin tends to be dull and dry.
Tan
This tip may not apply to everyone, but if you fake tan or occasionally fake tan like I do, making sure your fake tan, while you’re sick, is a must for me. When I fake tan, I instantly feel better about myself and just more confident in the way I look. Although I don’t fake tan all the time, especially when I’m sick and feeling blah about myself and my appearance, adding some fake tan and making my skin look healthy and glowing, helps me not look as sick.
I love the Loving Tan Mouse, but I also love gradual tans like the Dove Summer Glow Gradual Self Tan Body Lotion, which is great to apply right after getting out of the shower. It’s so affordable and works really well!
Dress to Impress
When I’m sick and I have to look presentable, I like to spend a little extra time in the morning picking out my outfit. Although it’s the last thing I want to do, if I’m wearing really baggy, comfortable clothes, it’s easier to notice I’m not feeling well. As I mentioned, there are totally times where I do just wear sweatpants or a chunky sweater, but if I have an occasion or just don’t want to look sick, spending a bit of extra time and picking out a really cute outfit, really helps me not look as sick.
If you’re looking put together, people wouldn’t assume that you’re sick. I like to find clothes that are not only super cute but also comfortable. For example, jeggings- they look like jeans and there’s a lot of cute styles out there, but they’re leggings. They’re more dressed up than leggings so choosing jeggings over leggings will help you seem just a little bit more put together, but still stay comfortable.
Unfortunately, life doesn’t stop when you’re sick. I hope these easy tips and product recommendations above help you instantly look physically better when you’re sick, but also help you feel better on the inside as well. What is your go-to fix when you’re sick? Let me know in the comments down below!
