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Tuesday, March 02, 2010
by Skincare-news.com team
Work, home, cocktail party, a long flight…wherever we may be on a daily basis, we can always benefit from an instant skincare boost. These products will help you look and feel more awake, alert and rejuvenated. And many of these products can help mend common skincare annoyances, like blemishes that seem to pop up out of nowhere. Plus, all require just a few seconds to apply. So without further adieu, here are 10 products that can give you an on-the-spot refresher and a quick fixer-upper for any occasion.
- Blush. When skin looks tired, sallow and sad, blush serves as a radiant remedy. It takes seconds to apply and immediately boosts your complexion. What was once washed-out and weary becomes a natural, pretty flush. Consider cream blush, which goes on smoothly and gives cheeks a dewy glow, according to renowned makeup artist Bobbi Brown. For more on skin-brightening blush, see our article.
Product picks: bareMinerals Blush – Giddy Pink, DuWop Blushbooster – Apple, Stila Convertible Color - Poppy
- Bronzer. For a healthy-looking glow, bronzer is also a great quick fix. Just sweep on a smidgen of bronzer on the places that the sun naturally hits: cheeks, nose and forehead. Remember to choose a bronzer that’s one shade (or two shades tops) darker than your natural skin tone. If you’d like a subtle look, pick a bronzer that closely resembles your pressed powder, according to celebrity makeup artist Sam Fine in Elle.
Product picks: Stila Sun SPF 15, Fusion Beauty GlowFusion MicroTech Intuitive Active Bronzer Sunshine, NUXE Poudre Eclat Prodigieux Multi-Usage Compact Bronzer Powder
- Wrinkle-smoothers. With today’s high-tech skincare products, you can find various products that immediately smooth, soften and plump your skin. Though it’s important to use products that gradually reduce fine lines and wrinkles, sometimes you want a product that shows instant improvement. These products fill in your fine lines and can make skin appear more supple.
Have one too many expression lines? You can also find creams that temporarily relax muscular contractions, successfully giving skin a “subtle smoothing,” cosmetic dermatologist Frederic Brandt, M.D., tells Redbook. The components to look for? Find formulas with GABA (gamma amino butyric acid) and argireline, both muscle-relaxing ingredients.
Product picks: StriVectin-WF Instant Deep Wrinkle Filler, AminoGenesis Gone in Sixty Seconds Instant Wrinkle Eraser, Cosmedicine Instant Wrinkle Write Off Line Filler, Dr. Brandt Crease Release with GABA
- Eye creams. Did you wake up this morning with puffy eyes, dark circles or dryness? Applying an eye cream can instantly brighten the eyes and fix pesky puffiness and other peeper problems. Eye creams can depuff, hydrate and illuminate the eye area. Many eye creams contain caffeine, which helps to tighten capillaries and shrink dilated blood vessels short term, according to Dr. Brandt. If you’re at home with puffy eyes, try applying cucumber slices or tea bags to reduce swelling temporarily.
Product picks: RoC Firming Complete Lift Eye Cream, skyn ICELAND Icelandic Relief Eye Pen, Dr. Brandt Flaws No More r3p Eye Cream, NUXE Contour des Yeux Prodigieux Anti-Aging Eye Cream
- Face mists. Does your skin look dry or dull during the day? Does regular airline travel create a lackluster complexion? Face mists are a great way to boost the look and feel of your skin, whether you’re constantly on the go, at home or in the air. Many mists are filled with good-for-you ingredients that brighten the skin, protect it with antioxidants and give it much-needed moisture.
Product picks: Kinerase Hydrating Antioxidant Mist, Juice Beauty Hydrating Mist, Philosophy Hope Springs Eternal Mist
- Skin tighteners. These products give skin a tighter, firmer look. Though you obviously won’t see the same results as an in-office procedure, skin will appear more lifted and rejuvenated. Some skin tighteners even feature antioxidants and hydrating ingredients, so skin becomes healthier and looks smoother.
Product picks: Dr. Brandt Timer Arrest Laser Tight, PRIORI CoffeeBerry Tightening Serum, Dermelect Self Esteem Neck Firming Lift
- Lip-plumpers. Pout plumpers help to temporarily create the look of fuller lips. Some include ingredients – such as menthol – that irritate the skin, making lips swell (and feel that telltale tingly sensation). Other products use ingredients that stimulate collagen synthesis. But if you go in thinking you’ll get a dramatic change, you may be disappointed. Lip plumpers typically produce a slight and subtle effect.
Still, the majority of lip plumpers also moisturize your lips, so your mouth looks healthier in general. You can find plumpers in every color. Many are available in clear formulas, which means you can wear them with your favorite lip products. For extra plumping action, try this quick tip: Apply lipliner a bit above the bow of your top lip and a bit below the fuller part of your bottom lip.
Product picks: Fusion Beauty LipFusion XL Micro Injected Collagen Lip Plump, Two Faced Lip Injection Extreme, Freeze 24/7 Plump lips Lip Plumper Clear
- Exfoliants. Put all the products you want on your face but if your skin is overrun with dead skin cells, none of your formulas will improve your complexion and work effectively. Exfoliating sloughs off dead skin cells, revealing a newer, healthier and more radiant complexion. And it helps products penetrate the skin. For more on finding the best exfoliant for your skin, see our article here.
Product picks: Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion, Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Plump Perfect Gentle Line Smoothing Exfoliator, Philosophy Never Let Them See You Shine Scrub
- Mascara. Got a few seconds and need to look recharged and polished? A swipe of mascara instantly perks up weary peepers. To create stand-out, luscious lashes, About’s beauty expert Julyne Derrick suggests the following: First apply one coat of lengthening mascara; then, apply a thickening formula and remove any extra product with a spoolie (simply a disposable mascara wand). To add extra pop, use an eyelash curler, after the mascara has dried. According to Derrick, it’s a common misconception that you must use a curler before mascara.
Product picks: blinc Mascara Black, Too Faced Lash Injection – Pitch Black , bareMinerals Flawless Definition Espresso
- Concealer. Has a pimple just popped up? Are your eyes dark and exhausted? Is your skin looking spotty? Stash concealer in your beauty bag for any skin-related emergencies. Concealer masks any imperfections in a flash. But you have to make sure to pick the right color.
To cover up under-eye concerns like darkness that has a purplish or green tone, choose a concealer with a peach or pink tone, writes Bobbi Brown in Prevention. For circles, creamy concealers are best. But you can use both creamy and stick formulas for disguising blemishes. Look for a yellow-based concealer that matches your skin tone. When masking acne, apply concealer after foundation. However, when covering up circles, use foundation first.
For more on concealer, see our comprehensive article here.
Product picks: Amazing Cosmetics Amazing Concealer, Stila Perfecting Concealer, Dermablend Quick Fix Concealer SPF 30
Whatever your skincare dilemma, the above products can fix it right up. From blush and bronzer to eye creams and concealer, you have a wide array of effective formulas to choose from that help boost your skin in a flash.
See also:
Running Late? Top 10 Tips for Speedy Skincare
Top 10 Anti-Aging Tips
Effective Eye Creams for Every Need
The Minimalist’s Makeup Routine
The Beauty Blues: 5 Tips to Recover
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