Advertisement

5 Totally Solvable Beauty Disasters

And pro advice for how to resolve them. By Fiorella Valdesolo

Zit
Zit

The Unexpected Zit
We've all been there: Go to bed with a clear complexion, wake up with blemishes.

SHRINK AND DESTROY
"Gently press an ice cube over the pimple to reduce inflammation, then try a spot treatment with benzoyl peroxide to dry it out and kill bacteria," says dermatologist Dr. Sapna Westley. Or crush an aspirin tablet (it contains salicylic acid) into a paste with water and dab on.

GET HIGH TECH
The latest fix? At-home LED devices like Tanda Clear+ ($195) that use blue light and sonic vibration to kill acne-causing bacteria.

SQUEEZE IF YOU MUST Dermatologist Dr. Amy Wechsler insists that you at least avoid using your hands to do the deed. "Apply a warm compress for five to 10 minutes, then take two Q-tips and use gentle, even pressure," she says. "Then dab dry and apply a little antibiotic ointment."

Greasy Hair? Click Here For Solutions.


Derm Side Effects
Derm Side Effects

Derm Visit Side Effects
While basic cosmetic derm treatments like lasers and Botox and other injectables can be quick, easy, and, for the most part, painless, the telltale bruising and redness--which can last for a few days after--isn't exactly a pretty sight.

TAKE ARNICA Dr. Anne Chapas, director of Union Square Laser Dermatology in New York City, recommends her patients take the supplement orally (before the treatment) and apply it topically (after) to reduce bruising.

CAMOUFLAGE Use a foundation with yellow undertones to address redness or discoloration until it fades.

ZAP IT Patients who demand a quick fix can slip in for a V-Beam laser treatment. "Just two millisecond zaps breaks up the bruise in 24 hours," Chapas explains.


Blotchy Self-Tanner
Nothing takes away from a golden glow quite like a streak or splotch.

PREVENTION IS KEY Exfoliate first to create an even plane for the bronzer to adhere to; moisturize thoroughly, concentrating on dry patches like elbows and knees; apply bronzer with a mitt for the most even results; wait until it's dry; and change into loose cotton clothing.

ERASE MISTAKES Bronzing expert and aesthetician Nichola Joss recommends investing in a bottle of St. Tropez's Tan Detox to remove blotchiness. "It's a bath oil with lavender, lemon, and hazelnut oils," says Joss. "Soak in it and massage your skin in a circular motion with an exfoliating cloth to help remove buildup." Then steer clear of self-tanner for at least 12 hours.

Sweating Too Much? Visit MarieClaire.com for Easy Remedies.


Chipped nails
Chipped nails

Broken or Chipped Nail
One fallout of daily computer duty: a shortened manicure life.


DAMAGE CONTROL
At the first sign of a break, Creative Nail Design pro Roxanne Valinoti advises clipping or filing to the broken point if possible. "If it is a low tear, 'patch it' with a few coats of polish, followed by a topcoat," she says. "If you don't have polish at your disposal, anchor the nail for the time being with a clear piece of Scotch Tape."

BUFF IT If polish chips post-mani, Valinoti suggests gently buffing out the nick, then filling in with a thin coat of the same color.

STRENGTH-TRAIN Because brittle nails tend to split more easily, applying a nourishing product, like CND's SolarOil ($12), daily will add flexibility and prevent breakage. And to avoid future mishaps, beauty insiders swear by the company's Shellac gel manicure, which resists chipping for two weeks.

Under-Eye Circles? Learn How to Beat Bagginess at MarieClaire.com.

Serious Sunburn
Your fresh-from-the-island glow has morphed into a lobster-like burn.

CHILL OUT Take an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory like aspirin or ibuprofen, apply a cool compress soaked in equal parts milk and water, and dab on a 1 percent hydrocortisone cream to calm inflammation fast, advises NYC dermatologist Dr. Heidi Waldorf.

COVER UP If staying locked up for a few days isn't an option--say you've got an event to attend or, even more distressing, a job interview--celebrity makeup artist Andrew Sotomayor suggests camouflaging redness with a creamy, yellow-based liquid concealer to help minimize the look of dry, peeling skin. Just "moisturize like crazy" before you apply, says Miami-based derm Dr. Joely Kaufman-Janette, who also recommends using a green-tinted primer.

Visit MarieClaire.com to learn how to solve five more common beauty disasters.


More from MarieClaire.com

25 Must Have Beauty Products
10 Ways To Get Your Energy Up In 5 Minutes Or Less
10 Beauty Products That Will Change Your Life

7 Bedtime Habits That Are Ruining Your Sleep

To see Maire Claire's favorite beauty products, visit us on Pinterest!