Anti-Allergy Heroes: Win the Battle Against the Puff

How to look your best despite the season

May 22, 2023

Spring allergies are one of those inescapable realities I must face every year. It’s one of my least favorite things about my particular genetic make up. While I could go on and on about each exquisitely irritating symptom, I’ll spare you—let’s just say I’ve had to alter my makeup / beauty routine to cope with this challenging time. If you too have to deal with seasonal allergies, consider my field research in your own battle with the elements.

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Mika Van Winkle shot in Central Park by Peter Rosa.

IN THE CHAIR

Behind the scenes techniques to enhance your makeup routine

Double Cleanse

I find a really great double cleanse at night helps to get everything—makeup, pollution, and most importantly during this challenging time, pollen—OFF. I love the Retrouvé Luminous Cleansing Elixir for a great double cleanse, because it acts like two products in one. What’s better than getting more while doing less? Apply this water-free cleanser to dry skin and massage it in for 20 to 30 seconds. After it “melts” into a creamy balm, wet your hands and massage again. Finally, remove all traces of makeup, city grime, etc. with a damp cloth to reveal nourished, double-cleansed skin.

Mask

Soothe tired, irritated skin with one of my favorite masks. After cleansing, apply Lilfox Cupu-Cool Hyaluronic Jelly Balm. It’s filled with yummy peptides, hyaluronic acid, and magically cooling peppermint to revitalize and most importantly chill out your complexion. Great as a quick, healing treat or as an overnight sleeping mask.

Cool and Depuff

To me, nothing feels better than cold on my puffy, itchy eyes. Over the years I’ve tried all sorts of things to soothe and depuff my allergy-ridden face, and there are a lot of cooling tools / face ice packs available. I like the Lilfox Chill Wands the most as they are nimble and stay cold! Moreover, unlike any other roller I’ve tried, they come in a high-quality, custom case that keeps them clean and visible while in your fridge or freezer (so if you, like me, are secretly grossed out by having a face product next to your food, problem solved). Genius, right?! Oh! And I saved the best for last. Running behind in the morning? We’ve all been there. Grab the wands in their case and throw them in your handbag to go! They stay cold up to TWO HOURS after they’ve been removed from your refrigerator. You’re welcome.

BTS chaos from a spring-inspired shoot this week.

Depuff Some More

I definitely need all the help I can get depuffing during allergy season. That’s where a great eye mask comes in, like the Bioeffect Imprinting Eye Masks. These biodegradable (bonus) hydrogel masks are the perfect pick-me-up for day or night. Truthfully, I often use them both day and night in an attempt to have my undereye area return to its normal size. To use, apply to clean skin for 15 minutes for a refresh whenever you need one!

Heal

Dry spots have you down? Me too. I get them around my nose (from all that nose blowing) during allergy season. Great news: You don’t have to be stuck with red flaky skin for the next month or so. Heal those spots with Henné Organics Luxury Lip Balm. Yes, it’s technically lip balm, but you can absolutely put it anywhere you may need extra moisture like your red nose, your dry cuticles, your elbows, or any other spot that could use some extra love. As an added bonus, it soaks into the skin really well, so concealer can glide right on top. Rudolph nose be gone!

Enliven

Bring extra freshness to your complexion with a healthy application of blush. I love blush when I’m feeling, say, not so fresh—it’s the perfect camouflage for less-than-sparkly eyes and rosier-than-normal noses. Sometimes, it really is best to lean into what’s already happening and make that pink pinker. Let’s call it… a monochromatic look. Try a really spring-y color like the Chantecaille Wild Meadows Blush in Apple Blossom.

Define

Anchor your look with a glamorous defined eye. Looking glam is halfway to feeling it, anyway! Choose a great waterproof formula that can stand up to anything, like the Tom Ford Emotionproof Mascara. Not only is it “emotion proof,” it’s nature proof, too. Add a couple coats on top and perhaps even one on bottom for your most glamorous pollen-proof lashes ever.

The products and trends worth knowing about now

Spring Flowers

The bloom isn’t all bad—to me, the crowning glory of spring is the arrival of the Chantecaille Rose de Mai Pure Rosewater spray, which I look forward to every year. If you know me, you know I love a mist, but this one is particularly special. It’s made solely from the entire Rose de Mai blossom harvested only once a year in a town on the French Riviera named Grasse. It smells heavenly and is really unique. I hoard it. By the way, it sells out, so do not hesitate to copy me and stock up!