Faking Fabulousness

I have acquired a little bug over the weekend and am feeling quite under the weather. My nasal congestion is horrible, my eyes are puffy, and my skin is clammy. I took a half day of work yesterday to sleep it off, but it's not 100% gone quite yet. Although my body feels miserable, I want to avoid looking like a zombie (unless my boss tells me to go home for looking so sickly which could be a good thing). I am saving up my sick days and sticking through the work day.

In order to look awake and not so ill, here are some make-up tips to fake fabulousness:

Exfoliate your face in the morning to rejuvenate those skin cells! Let your skin look lively and bright post nose blowing and eye rubbing from the night before. I use St. Ives Apricot Scrub , under $5, and then moisturize with Aveeno Active Naturals Daily Moisturizer, under $9.

Before putting on my makeup, I use a light-reflecting primer that makes for an even application and brightens your face. Benefit "That Gal", $28.

Conceal those red spots and hide the under eye circles with a creamy concealer. I use M.A.C's Studio Finish Concealer with SPF 35, $16, then pair it up with a light coat of M.A.C's Studio Fix Power plus Foundation, $26, which evens out your skin tone.

Avoid looking clammy and look sun-kissed after applying bronzer on the apples of your cheek and across your forehead, nose, and chin. NARs Bronzing Power, $30, gives a great natural glow to off set a washed out face.

Brighten your eyes by sweeping an iridescent shimmer on your brow line, tear corners, and under your lower lash line. Your eyes will look brighter and more awake, trust me! Benefit "High Beam", $24.

Finish off by curling your eyelashes and using a volumizing mascara to make your eyes pop. This Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler, $19, has been my favorite throughout high school. Givenchy Phemonen'Eyes Mascara, $28, has a small wand to separate and ad volume to minimize the puffy look of your eyes.

Hope this works out for your hangover mornings or ill sleeping nights. I did this before coming to work today, and my boss said I looked ten times better than the day before. All I forgot yesterday was to apply the ever so significant bronzer on, so I'm guessing I was a bit washed out.