A couple weeks ago I came down with a cold out of nowhere, and I still had lots of things to do that I couldn't cancel. Fast forward to this week, when more and more people at work are coming down with colds, so it's only a matter of time before I catch something again. I've pretty much run out of time off for the rest of the year, so if I get sick, I'm probably going to have to make myself look presentable and come in anyway (wiping everything down in my path). When I get sick my skin instantly shrivels and dries up - it makes makeup application a little difficult. In order to wear makeup while I'm sick I have to prep my skin really well - usually by layering an oil and moisturizer. I've got a post on my favorite oils for daytime, and I usually seal those in with the Glossier Priming Moisturizer Rich.
I like to keep my makeup light and dewy all the time, but especially on sick days. I'll use anything to make it look like I actually have a bit of a normal healthy sheen to my skin. I've recently fallen back in love with the bareMinerals Complexion Rescue - it's basically my favorite tinted moisturizer product of all time. It gives decent coverage, blends into the skin easily, and feels weightless. It leaves a super dewy look to the skin, but it also sets down so it doesn't feel tacky or transfer. My favorite concealer when I'm sick is the Glossier Stretch Concealer. It also has quite a dewy finish that doesn't catch on dry patches at all. I love using it with a damp BeautyBlender to cover larger areas.
For the rest of my face, I stick to cream products. I feel like I always need a little color on my cheeks because I'm so pale, so it's even more of a necessity on a sick day. I start off with a healthy dose of the Milk Makeup Matte Bronzer - still my favorite bronzer of all time - on my cheekbones, temples, jawline, and a little bit across my nose to give a more dimensional, slightly tanned look. And then I like to add a pop of blush for a healthy-looking flush. I love the Glossier Cloud Paints* of course - Puff and Haze are my go-tos, and the Milk Makeup Blush Oil in Ripe is perfect as well. I forgot how much I loved this blush - it's sheer and buildable and leaves a lovely sheen on the skin.
For highlight, I go glossy over metallic. Glossier Haloscope in either Moonstone or Quartz are obvious choices here - they're the best for a bit of dew. I also love the Nudestix Nudies All-Over Face Color in Illumi-Naughty because it's not only glossy but has a really pretty pink shift. The Ilia Illuminator in Polka Dots & Moonbeams is a favorite too - it looks just like the rmsbeauty Living Luminizer, but without the problematic marketing. Lastly (I'm sure you had to know the "glossy highlight" section of this post would be the longest) is the YSL Touche Eclat Glow Shot Liquid Highlighter in 1 Daylight. I've been using this nonstop lately - it's quite natural and can be built up, and it's the prettiest pale gold.
My eyes tend to get super watery when I'm sick, so I usually lay off the eye makeup and go bold with brows instead - I just layer on tons of the Glossier Boy Brow in Brown for a bushy/feathery look. For lips, I choose moisturizing products over full-coverage lipsticks. Usually I'll just reach for a Glossier Balm Dotcom, but if I want something with a little shimmer and color, I go for the Fresh Sugar Cream Lip Treatments* - Baby is my favorite shade at the moment.
Do you try to wear makeup when you're sick and have to go out and about? What are your picks?
If fluffy brows and dewy highlight are your go-tos too, Glossier is currently offering Boy Brow and Haloscope in a Duo that saves you $8 - and you can save even more through my rep link!
*Products mentioned have been sent to me for consideration, but all opinions are my own. Please see my disclaimer for more information. This post contains affiliate links.