It’s a boring ol' weekday, 3 p.m. rolls around, and your habitual — oh, let’s call it five-minute — Twitter break leads you to a YouTube clip of a formerly deaf woman hearing sounds for the first time.
Or, let's say you’re at an overcrowded industry soiree when a fellow partygoer steps on your baby toe with her cigarette Saint Laurent heel while reaching for a roving glass of Moët. Just a few weeks ago, you may have grabbed a couple of bottles of wine (each), made a massive batch of guacamole, and holed up with your girlfriends to watch Diane Sawyer's interview with Bruce Jenner (side note: GO, BRUCE!). Well, it's no secret that all the aforementioned scenarios could turn you into a sobbing, blubbering — shall we even say snotty — mess.
Next thing you know, your mascara is halfway down your painstakingly contoured cheeks (another consequence of YouTube? Yep). Your eyes: puffy and bloodshot. Your whole face: blotchy. And, since most of said tears shed are in the presence of others, you likely need to find easy and seriously fast ways to snap out of it. That’s why we asked two makeup artists and a psychologist to give us their beauty and mental-health tips for freshening up in under a minute.
1. Listen To Music
“Sometimes, you can uplift your mood by using the power of music. Play a very upbeat song with optimistic and fun language, and allow yourself to go crazy dancing to it.” — Elyse Goldstein, PhD, New York-based psychologist 2. De-Puff Your Eyes
“Ice, ice, and more ice. Just wrap it with a washcloth, so you don't make your skin red. Also, a great time to use your [Yves Saint Laurent] Touche Éclat under the eye area to refresh them.” — Jamie Greenberg, makeup artist (CV includes Rashida Jones and Anna Faris) 3. Deal With Red Eyes
“I love Rohto eye drops because they work instantly. But, don't get in the habit of using them. Save them for special occasions, and they will work better for you.” — Greenberg
4. Clean Up The Smudge
“BareMinerals makes on-the-spot makeup-remover swabs. They're compact — small so you can focus in on the mistake or the smudge. Easy to toss, too.” — Greenberg
5. Freshen Up Your Face
“First things first: Take a few really deep breaths. This will calm you and bring your temperature down a bit. If you have access to a sink, run the cold water over your hands and then press your fingers gently into your skin, concentrating on the cheeks and around the eye area. The coolness will decrease puffiness. Next, use a concealer like NARS Concealer (Correcting Shade) that has pale-yellow undertones, which will help cancel out redness. Blend around the nose and lips, and over the cheeks. Also, a spritz of Caudalie Beauty Elixir will refresh your skin and give your complexion an instant boost. The scent of citrus and mint will leave you feeling rejuvenated and ready to face the world.” — Nicole Walmsley, makeup artist (CV includes Katrina Bowden and Phoebe Tonkin) 6. Add Some Color
“Throw on your favorite lipstick or gloss. The color will distract from any effects of your cry and will leave you feeling fresh again. Try something cheery, like Jouer Cosmetics Moisturizing Lip Gloss in Peony.” — Walmsley
“Sometimes, you can uplift your mood by using the power of music. Play a very upbeat song with optimistic and fun language, and allow yourself to go crazy dancing to it.” — Elyse Goldstein, PhD, New York-based psychologist 2. De-Puff Your Eyes
“Ice, ice, and more ice. Just wrap it with a washcloth, so you don't make your skin red. Also, a great time to use your [Yves Saint Laurent] Touche Éclat under the eye area to refresh them.” — Jamie Greenberg, makeup artist (CV includes Rashida Jones and Anna Faris) 3. Deal With Red Eyes
“I love Rohto eye drops because they work instantly. But, don't get in the habit of using them. Save them for special occasions, and they will work better for you.” — Greenberg
4. Clean Up The Smudge
“BareMinerals makes on-the-spot makeup-remover swabs. They're compact — small so you can focus in on the mistake or the smudge. Easy to toss, too.” — Greenberg
5. Freshen Up Your Face
“First things first: Take a few really deep breaths. This will calm you and bring your temperature down a bit. If you have access to a sink, run the cold water over your hands and then press your fingers gently into your skin, concentrating on the cheeks and around the eye area. The coolness will decrease puffiness. Next, use a concealer like NARS Concealer (Correcting Shade) that has pale-yellow undertones, which will help cancel out redness. Blend around the nose and lips, and over the cheeks. Also, a spritz of Caudalie Beauty Elixir will refresh your skin and give your complexion an instant boost. The scent of citrus and mint will leave you feeling rejuvenated and ready to face the world.” — Nicole Walmsley, makeup artist (CV includes Katrina Bowden and Phoebe Tonkin) 6. Add Some Color
“Throw on your favorite lipstick or gloss. The color will distract from any effects of your cry and will leave you feeling fresh again. Try something cheery, like Jouer Cosmetics Moisturizing Lip Gloss in Peony.” — Walmsley