In the realm of beauty, Murphy's Law definitely applies ("anything that can go wrong, will go wrong" and probably has gone wrong), but we just happen to have remedies for you courtesy of makeup artists Kimberley Bosso and Riku Campo, expert hairstylists Anthony Cristiano and Larry Sims and pro manicurist Beth Fricke. They'll help you plan ahead to prevent beauty blunders from happening as well as show you how to improvise in the moment when one does hit. Just stock your purse with the few essential survival beauty products they suggest and you'll look put-together (or put back together) in a snap -- think of these items as your beauty spare tire -- you'll need them in case you get a flat.
And to help you feel like you're not the only woman with pit stains, static-y hair and bleeding lipstick we thought we'd share photos of celebrity makeup mishaps and celebrity hairstyles gone wrong from stars that are otherwise fairly composed like Cameron Diaz, Christina Aguilera, Drew Barrymore, Eva Mendes, Hilary Duff, Jessica and Ashlee Simpson, Kate Hudson, Rosario Dawson, Lindsay Lohan, Courtney Love and Amy Winehouse (well, maybe the last three are an exception).
The Disaster: A Surprise Zit
The scenario: You're in
your car on the way to a blind date when you glance in the mirror at a
red light and notice it -- yep, giant zit forming on your chin.
The solution: First, don't panic, because stress only makes things worse. Then, reach for your zit emergency kit (which you should always have in your purse): a spot treatment and a small tube of concealer. Apply the spot treatment first (try Intraceuticals Clarity Blemish Repair Wand, $89), then use your fingers to dab concealer on the spot. Bosso recommends MAC Studio Finish Concealer, $16.50 because it offers natural-looking coverage (so your date won't be distracted by a weird concealer blob) and is water resistant.
And if you're stuck somewhere without these items? You can always use powder (wet it for more concentrated coverage) or foundation (the part that's somewhat dried near the cap will go on thicker) instead, or if you're completely without extra makeup try blending what you are wearing over the zit for a bit of coverage (for example, if you used concealer under your eyes, try and wipe some off with your finger and use it on your blemish).
The solution: First, don't panic, because stress only makes things worse. Then, reach for your zit emergency kit (which you should always have in your purse): a spot treatment and a small tube of concealer. Apply the spot treatment first (try Intraceuticals Clarity Blemish Repair Wand, $89), then use your fingers to dab concealer on the spot. Bosso recommends MAC Studio Finish Concealer, $16.50 because it offers natural-looking coverage (so your date won't be distracted by a weird concealer blob) and is water resistant.
And if you're stuck somewhere without these items? You can always use powder (wet it for more concentrated coverage) or foundation (the part that's somewhat dried near the cap will go on thicker) instead, or if you're completely without extra makeup try blending what you are wearing over the zit for a bit of coverage (for example, if you used concealer under your eyes, try and wipe some off with your finger and use it on your blemish).
The Disaster: A Crease in Your Hair
The scenario: You hit the
snooze button a few too many times this morning, so you opted for a
ponytail rather than full-on styling. But you still want to look
put-together for post-work cocktails with friends. You take out the hair
elastic and well, you know what you're left with ...
The solution: This requires a little work, but is fixable. If you do have hot styling tools available to you (like a blow dryer or flat or curling iron) then you're set. You can use a flat iron on the creased part (for straight hair) or a curling iron (for wavy or curly hair). Or, you can wet the creased area while brushing through your hair until it disappears, then blow dry the wet section, says Cristiano.
Stuck without any styling tools? Wet your hair like Cristiano said, run your fingers through to lessen the crease, then use the hand dryer in the bathroom to dry your hair. It's not perfect, but it'll work.
The solution: This requires a little work, but is fixable. If you do have hot styling tools available to you (like a blow dryer or flat or curling iron) then you're set. You can use a flat iron on the creased part (for straight hair) or a curling iron (for wavy or curly hair). Or, you can wet the creased area while brushing through your hair until it disappears, then blow dry the wet section, says Cristiano.
Stuck without any styling tools? Wet your hair like Cristiano said, run your fingers through to lessen the crease, then use the hand dryer in the bathroom to dry your hair. It's not perfect, but it'll work.
The Disaster: Blotchy Self-Tanner
The scenario: Your family pool party is tomorrow so you use self-tanner, but realize hours before the party that you're a streaky mess.
The solution: Bosso says there's a couple things you can do to avoid looking like a self-tanning amateur. "First, exfoliate the area with a damp loofah or scrub cleanser to lift the tanner. If that doesn't work, soak in a warm bath, and after, try rubbing a lemon on the [uneven] area. The citric acid will loosen and lift it fairly easily." If there's no time to do all this, you can try using bronzer to even things out as well. Check out more tricks to self-tanning your bod like a pro.
If the blotchiness is on your face, Campo recommends exfoliating, then using a foundation with a yellow tone to it to balance out the orange-y streaks.
The solution: Bosso says there's a couple things you can do to avoid looking like a self-tanning amateur. "First, exfoliate the area with a damp loofah or scrub cleanser to lift the tanner. If that doesn't work, soak in a warm bath, and after, try rubbing a lemon on the [uneven] area. The citric acid will loosen and lift it fairly easily." If there's no time to do all this, you can try using bronzer to even things out as well. Check out more tricks to self-tanning your bod like a pro.
If the blotchiness is on your face, Campo recommends exfoliating, then using a foundation with a yellow tone to it to balance out the orange-y streaks.
The Disaster: Too Short and Uneven Bangs
The scenario: You're way overdue for a haircut, but your schedule and budget won't exactly let that happen, so you take matters into your own hands and trim your bangs. Too bad you have no idea what you're doing.The solution: Sims says to try "braiding them to the side or slicking them back with a strong gel." He recommends something like Got2b Glued Styling Gel, $5.49. You can also build up an arsenal of headbands and barrettes to keep them out of sight.
If you simply must have your forehead covered, he says wearing your bangs messy instead of straight and precise will make any unevenness less noticeable.
The Disaster: A Bruise in a Noticeable Place
The scenario: Being the graceful woman that you are, you ran into the coffee table and nailed your shin.The solution: Bosso says you can cover just about any bruise once you understand color correcting. She suggests picking up a palette like Make Up For Ever Palette #5, $36, it has a range of colors that'll hide any shade of bruise. Next, she says to figure out the dominant shade of your shiner and neutralize it with the opposite shade. So if it's red, use green, blue use yellow, etc. Then top that with a concealer that matches your skin tone and finish with powder. And next time, watch where you're walking, okay?
The Disaster: Oily Hair with No Time to Shower
The scenario: A string of late nights and early mornings means you've had zero time to wash your hair, and like Jessica over there, it's starting to go beyond "grunge" and into plain ol' "greasy."The solution: Meet your new best hair friend: dry shampoo. Sprinkle or spray some on your roots, massage it in and watch the grease disappear (try Klorane ECO Gentle Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk, $18). If you're out of dry shampoo or don't own any, use baby powder, just make sure to really work it in so you don't have dusty-looking white roots.
And if you're out of both those things? Then make the grease look intentional by slicking all of your hair back into a sleek ponytail -- and maybe spritz some perfume over it to cover the smell. Or just add a hat like Ashlee Simpson (maybe she should have loaned it to Jessica).
The Disaster: A Hair Color Mishap
The scenario: You're bored and decide to try that box of dye you've had under your sink for months. Unfortunately, you're left with a scary-looking mess.The solution: If you absolutely hate your new color, wash it out asap with a clarifying shampoo or even dish soap. This should help fade it somewhat (shampoo multiple times if needed), but it needs to happen fast, before the color fully sets into your hair. If that doesn't work, then you'll have to head to a professional, because unfortunately, trying to repair bad color yourself will likely make matters worse.
In the future, heed this color advice:
1. Never go more than two shades lighter or darker than your current color at home, trust us, it will not end well.
2. Follow the directions on the box exactly, paying close attention to the time.
3. Have a friend help you apply the color so you get even coverage and apply the color in a timely manner.
The Disaster: Chipped or Smudged Nails
The scenario: You splurge
on a spa manicure and your nails look fab -- until you smudge them while
putting on your seatbelt to drive home. Or maybe you make it past the
smudge-window, but then get a chip like two days later.
The solution: Manicurist Fricke says the best solution is to have the polish with you (so BYO bottle to the nail salon next time). That way you can place a dot of polish on the smudged or chipped area, let it dry, then apply another coat over the entire nail to even it out.
If you don't have your polish but you do have a nail file, you can make a chip slightly less noticeable by filing away the chipped part of your nail (or at least some of it) and then even out the rest of your fingers.
The solution: Manicurist Fricke says the best solution is to have the polish with you (so BYO bottle to the nail salon next time). That way you can place a dot of polish on the smudged or chipped area, let it dry, then apply another coat over the entire nail to even it out.
If you don't have your polish but you do have a nail file, you can make a chip slightly less noticeable by filing away the chipped part of your nail (or at least some of it) and then even out the rest of your fingers.
The Disaster: A Hangover that Has You Looking Like Death
The scenario: Your friend
invites you out to happy hour, which turns into dinner, which turns into
after-dinner cocktails and the next thing you know you're stumbling
home late night -- oh, and you have an early work meeting the next day.
The solution: Bosso and Campo have a foolproof morning routine to make everyone think you got a full eight hours last night and didn't empty one too many glasses of Pinot Noir. Here's what to do:
Step 1: Take a warm shower or bath and use a citrus-based body wash like Bath & Body Works True Blue Spa Need a Margarita Citrus Body Scrub, $13.50 (irony not intended) and use a face scrub such as Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant, $50. It'll get your circulation going to put some glow back into your skin, Campo says.
Step 2: Drink two glasses of water and apply a moisturizing facial mask like Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Hydrating Treatment Mask, $14.95. Wear the mask while you make breakfast. Campo suggests an omelet with coffee or tea and orange juice, while Bosso swears by juice made with a handful of raw spinach, four carrots and an apple (no guarantees on the taste though). Wash your mask off and eat breakfast.
Step 3: Apply a rich moisturizer (Bosso loves Dermalogica Age Smart Super Rich Repair Moisturizer, $77) and put in some eye drops.
Step 4: Now that your skin is somewhat back in shape, it's time for makeup. Both Campo and Bosso say less is more when you're hungover -- too much and you just emphasize the fact that you didn't sleep much last night. So use a little concealer and sheer foundation (Bosso recommends Nars Sheer Glow Foundation, $42 applied with Sigma Duo Fibre F50 brush, $16). Next apply blush to put a little life in your face, curl your lashes to open your eyes and do a quick swipe of lip gloss. Those drinks will feel or at least look like a distant memory ...
The solution: Bosso and Campo have a foolproof morning routine to make everyone think you got a full eight hours last night and didn't empty one too many glasses of Pinot Noir. Here's what to do:
Step 1: Take a warm shower or bath and use a citrus-based body wash like Bath & Body Works True Blue Spa Need a Margarita Citrus Body Scrub, $13.50 (irony not intended) and use a face scrub such as Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant, $50. It'll get your circulation going to put some glow back into your skin, Campo says.
Step 2: Drink two glasses of water and apply a moisturizing facial mask like Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Hydrating Treatment Mask, $14.95. Wear the mask while you make breakfast. Campo suggests an omelet with coffee or tea and orange juice, while Bosso swears by juice made with a handful of raw spinach, four carrots and an apple (no guarantees on the taste though). Wash your mask off and eat breakfast.
Step 3: Apply a rich moisturizer (Bosso loves Dermalogica Age Smart Super Rich Repair Moisturizer, $77) and put in some eye drops.
Step 4: Now that your skin is somewhat back in shape, it's time for makeup. Both Campo and Bosso say less is more when you're hungover -- too much and you just emphasize the fact that you didn't sleep much last night. So use a little concealer and sheer foundation (Bosso recommends Nars Sheer Glow Foundation, $42 applied with Sigma Duo Fibre F50 brush, $16). Next apply blush to put a little life in your face, curl your lashes to open your eyes and do a quick swipe of lip gloss. Those drinks will feel or at least look like a distant memory ...
The Disaster: Pit Stains
The scenario: Despite your liberal deodorant application, the hot weather (or nerves) is making you sweat right through your shirt.
What to do: A little prep work can prevent this from happening, or at least lessen the damage. First, apply deodorant the night before -- this will give it time to soak into your skin (even if you shower the next morning). And when you shower, use an anti-bacterial body wash like Dial Body Wash, $7.89 with a gentle body scrub such as Origins Modern Friction for the Body Nature's Gentle Dermabrasion, $34 to get rid of dead skin cells -- it's these two factors that contribute to smelly pits.
Apply deodorant again in the morning when your skin is completely dry so it can absorb fully. If you know you're going to get sweaty, try wearing light, breathable fabrics in colors that won't show as much of a change when they're wet (like black or navy). If you're still showing pit stains, head to the bathroom to dry your shirt off with the hand dryers or paper towels and reapply deodorant if you can. If all else fails, try not to do much waving or hugging.
What to do: A little prep work can prevent this from happening, or at least lessen the damage. First, apply deodorant the night before -- this will give it time to soak into your skin (even if you shower the next morning). And when you shower, use an anti-bacterial body wash like Dial Body Wash, $7.89 with a gentle body scrub such as Origins Modern Friction for the Body Nature's Gentle Dermabrasion, $34 to get rid of dead skin cells -- it's these two factors that contribute to smelly pits.
Apply deodorant again in the morning when your skin is completely dry so it can absorb fully. If you know you're going to get sweaty, try wearing light, breathable fabrics in colors that won't show as much of a change when they're wet (like black or navy). If you're still showing pit stains, head to the bathroom to dry your shirt off with the hand dryers or paper towels and reapply deodorant if you can. If all else fails, try not to do much waving or hugging.
The Disaster: Static-y Hair
The scenario: Your hair
looked polished in the bathroom this morning, but now that you're
outside you look like someone rubbed a balloon on your head.
What to do: You have a few options here. If you get static a lot, then you'll want to start carrying a dryer sheet in your purse. Sounds weird, but it works wonders at smoothing out your hair without killing volume. If you're sans a dryer sheet you can rub a tiny amount of lotion on your hands and smooth it over your hair. Or if you're completely without product, then embrace the static. Tousle your hair a bit and call it a "look."
What to do: You have a few options here. If you get static a lot, then you'll want to start carrying a dryer sheet in your purse. Sounds weird, but it works wonders at smoothing out your hair without killing volume. If you're sans a dryer sheet you can rub a tiny amount of lotion on your hands and smooth it over your hair. Or if you're completely without product, then embrace the static. Tousle your hair a bit and call it a "look."
The Disaster: Bleeding Lipstick
The scenario: You went with
a red lip for your dinner date, but as you're eating you get paranoid
that it's bleeding and creeping into the fine lines around your mouth.
What to do: A little prep work can minimize the damage. When you line your lips, make sure to fill in your entire lips with pencil too. This will help your color last longer and will also prevent the "outline only" look. But if you're still worried that your lipstick is bleeding, one is to excuse yourself and head to the bathroom to reapply. But if you feel that would be rude, you could opt to wipe off what's left with your napkin (subtly, of course) so you're left with a bare lip. Hey, it's better than bleeding lip color, right? Plus, you can just reapply after dinner.
What to do: A little prep work can minimize the damage. When you line your lips, make sure to fill in your entire lips with pencil too. This will help your color last longer and will also prevent the "outline only" look. But if you're still worried that your lipstick is bleeding, one is to excuse yourself and head to the bathroom to reapply. But if you feel that would be rude, you could opt to wipe off what's left with your napkin (subtly, of course) so you're left with a bare lip. Hey, it's better than bleeding lip color, right? Plus, you can just reapply after dinner.
