Welcome to pollen survival 101
Ah, summer. We’d be lying if we said the warmer weather didn’t instantly put us in a great mood. But while we’re catching those lunch break rays (don’t forget your sunscreen), for some of us unlucky folks it’s also the season of sneezing, stinging eyes and streaming noses.
Itchy eyes? You’re not alone. Like us, you’ve probably already explored lots of ways to help keep your symptoms of hay fever at bay, but if your plight against pollen is taking a toll on your beauty routine, stick with us. We’re sharing our beauty hacks to help you pollen-proof your look. After all, who said make-up was off-limits during hay fever season?
How can I help soothe my dry-feeling face?
If you’re prone to pollen being your best pal, you may be more likely to have dry and sensitive skin along with your hay fever. And with all that sneezing into tissues, you’re bound to have a flaky red nose, too. Here’s a quick trick to help soothe the skin on your face. Slather on a hydrating moisturiser like bareMinerals Pureness Soothing Gel Moisturiser, it’s as simple as it comes and contains minimal ingredients to help reduce visible redness and sensitivity.
How to apply: Sweep over a cleansed face and neck morning and night, allowing time for the good stuff to sink in.
How can I give my face a burst of hydration without messing up my make-up?
If you’re not already on the hydration hype, what are you waiting for? Face mists are a must-have when it comes to giving your skin a soothing boost during a pollen-heavy day. Avène’s Soothing Thermal Spring Water Spray with its low mineral content is perfect for spraying on over your make-up, plus its gentle formula won’t irritate your skin – win, win!
How to apply: There’s nothing to it really, just spray and be on your way! Use throughout the day whenever you feel your skin needs some TLC.
How can I help soothe my eyes?
Peepers in need of a pick-me-up? As one of the symptoms of hay fever, sore eyes can instantly ruin a well-crafted eyeshadow ensemble. Your eyes naturally produce histamines when they come into contact with allergens, like pollen, which increases blood flow to the affected area, hence the redness. Don’t panic though, we might be able to help! Soap & Glory’s Puffy Eye Attack Under-Eye Brightening Patches with cucumber fruit juice and liquorice root extract can help to brighten the appearance of the skin under your eyes – and give it a boost of moisture, too.
How to use: Cleanse your skin and place the patches underneath your eye. Sit back and relax for 20-30 minutes whilst they work their magic. To remove, gently peel off and massage in any remaining jelly to help it absorb into the skin. Now, wasn’t that easy?
How can I remove make-up without irritating my eyes?
If your eyes are already pollened-out, you don’t want to be irritating them any further by using the wrong type of make-up remover. NIVEA® Daily Essentials Gentle Facial Cleansing Wipes are the perfect partners for make-up removal. Enriched with natural almond oil, they’re gentle on even the most sensitive of skin and leave your face feeling hydrated and moisturised.
How to use: Gently cleanse your face and neck, and softly swipe across your closed peepers to remove your eye make-up. Remember to re-seal the packet or the rest of the wipes will dry out.
My mascara keeps running as my eyes are so weepy, what can I do?
Whether they’re itchy, red or watery, the eyes have it the worst when it comes to hay fever. Watery eyes = streaky mascara. The best way to avoid looking like a panda during hay fever season is to use a waterproof mascara like L'Oréal Paris Paradise Mascara. It’ll make sure your lashes stay perfectly curled and dry – result!
How to apply: Swipe on lashings of mascara from root to tip. Add more layers to bring the drama.
Help! My skin looks red & irritated, what can I do?
All the sneezing, eye rubbing and nose blowing giving you a red face? We’ve got the tools to restore your glow. Using a CC cream as your base (colour correcting cream if you’re not down with the lingo), like IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream, can help to cover patches of redness caused by hay fever. Its lightweight formula gives you expert coverage – it’s a multitasking marvel!
How to apply: Using your fingers, smooth an even layer over your face and neck for complexion perfection. Focus on the parts of your face that may need most coverage, like under your eyes or around your nose and mouth.
My face is puffy! I don't want to cake on the foundation, what can I use instead?
Allergy season can make your eyes and nose swell up, making your face appear puffy from time to time. Enter the magic of make-up, here to save the day. Whilst it can’t make the swelling go away, it can go some way to helping it look less noticeable. A concealer, like Collection’s Lasting Perfection Concealer, can create the illusion of a full face of make-up and help to cover some of the tell-tale hay fever signs – how about that?
How to apply: For foundation-rivalling coverage, apply your concealer to the top of your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, your chin, and your Cupid's bow, remembering to softly blend into your skin.
Forget about irritated eyes, I want to focus on my lips…
If irritated eyes are stopping you from creating eye-catching looks, why not draw the attention away from them and to your lips instead? After all, a bold lip look never fails to make a statement. KVD Vegan Beauty Studded Kiss Crème Lipstick in shade Backstage Bambi, with its creamy texture and crazy-comfortable long-wear, is perfect for creating a luscious lip. Why not try out the look on your next virtual meeting?
How to apply: Swipe on your chosen shade for lips that don’t lie. Use a lip liner of the same shade for a more defined look or apply a lip gloss on top for extra shine and glamour. Mwah!
Should I wash my hair regularly to help remove pollen?
Yes! Did you know pollen can collect in your hair whenever you step outside? No, really it can. And because your hair is next to your face, it can make the runny nose or itchy eyes even worse – not fun.
So, washing your hair regularly is super-duper important and you can use the excuse ‘I can’t come tonight, I’m busy washing my hair’ – even better. Aussie’s Miracle Moist Shampoo and Miracle Moist Conditioner are perfect for giving your hair a deep clean, plus its formula is packed with Australian macadamia nut oil for a nourishing shine. It’s easy to turn stressed tresses into fabulously hydrated locks. Try it for yourself!
How to use: Apply your shampoo directly to your roots and massage into your scalp to loosen all that pollen. Next, take your conditioner and apply to the lengths of your hair, leaving it in for a minute or two before you wash it out. Ah, hair happiness, there’s no better feeling.
And just like that you’ve knocked pollen out of the park and mastered the art of beauty hacks in hay fever season – a virtual high-five is in order, don’t you think?
