Red nose, chapped lips, puffy face, a pale complexion – these are just a few of the beauty woes that come with a cold. Make-up may not be your top priority when you’re seriously under the weather, but once you’re over the worst it’s time to breathe some life back into your complexion. Here are a few clever tips and products to help you look better than you feel. 

Make sure you're using a rich cream

A rich, nourishing cream will soothe parched skin and restore your natural glow. If your skin is dry and irritated, add a few drops of facial oil to your everyday face cream and pat it into your skin for an extra moisture boost.

Placecol Illuminé Reviving Oil 15ml 450; Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Cream  50ml 295 SHOP NOW; Clarins Hydra-Essentiel 640 SHOP NOW

Grab a soothing balm 

The sensitive skin around your lips and nose is hit hard by a cold, and may appear red, inflamed and chapped. Protect and repair it with an intensely nourishing balm that seals in moisture and helps your skin bounce back quickly.

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant 50ml 315 SHOP NOW; Nuxe Reve de Miel Super Baume 475; Bobbi Brown Extra Soothing Balm 1050 SHOP NOW

Boost radiance with hydrating foundations

Consider hydrating foundations and tinted moisturisers your skin’s new best friends. These hardworking products revive a dull, uneven complexion, giving your skin a healthy colour boost while erasing signs of fatigue.

Inglot Beautifier Tinted Cream 399 (Exclusive to Edgars); MAC Lightful C + Coral Grass Tinted Cream SPF 30 With Radiance Booster 560 SHOP NOW; Clarins Skin Illusion SPF 15 515 SHOP NOW

Colour correct with concealer

A concealer is essential when trying to disguise the aftermath of a cold. While hydrating foundations and tinted moisturisers go a long way to conceal shadows and red blotches, colour correctors target specific skin problems. A yellow-based concealer diminishes purple or blue under-eye circles; green-based concealers neutralise redness around the nose; and an apricot-hued concealer brightens the skin for a fresh, healthy look.

Clarins SOS Primer Diminish Redness 425 SHOP NOW; Sisley Instant Correct in Just Rosy 1110 (Exclusive to Edgars) SHOP NOW; Smashbox Photo Finish Color Correcting Foundation Primer 495 SHOP NOW

Use a waterproof mascara 

Sneezes and sniffles mean watery eyes, so keep eye make-up simple with soft, brightening eyeshadow instead of eyeliner, which might smudge during the day. Use a light coat of waterproof mascara to help revive and ‘open’ your eyes.

Kelso Beauty Waterproof Mascara 159.95 (Exclusive to Edgars) SHOP NOW; Lancôme Monsieur Big Waterproof Mascara 360 SHOP NOW; Givenchy Noir Couture Volume Waterproof Mascara 610 SHOP NOW

Add a pop of colour to cheeks and lips

Nothing lifts a dull complexion more than a pop of colour. Blush is a must to give cheeks a healthy flush and bring your complexion back to life. Creamy, hydrating formulas will blend easily into your skin and give it a dewy finish, as opposed to powder blushes that may accentuate dryness. As for colour, go for peachy shades. These hues instantly perk up sallow-looking skin. Avoid red tones as these may emphasise blotchiness. Use a tinted balm or nourishing lipstick on lips for a healthy, protective glow.

Chanel Coco Rouge Flash in Furtive 645; Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Lip Protectant Stick Sheer Tint SPF15 in Blush 255 SHOP NOW; Dolce & Gabbana The Creamy Blush In Rosa Aurora 930 (Exclusive to Edgars)

SHOP BEAUTY

All items subject to availability. Prices may change.

Fragrance cocktailing, also known as scent mixing or fragrance layering, involves combining two (or more) scents to create a unique custom-blend aroma. However it’s not as easy as randomly spritzing on perfumes; you need to know which notes and fragrance families complement each other before you dive right in. 

THE IMPORTANCE OF FRAGRANCE FAMILIES

Knowledge of the fragrance categories (floral, woody, citrus, oriental and gourmand) is essential for layering. While there is no hard and fast rule, the general guideline is to mix scents that are either in the same family or in complementary ones. For example, if you are choosing to mix floral fragrances, start by layering light and fresh florals over the darker, deeper ones.

FOCUS ON SIMPLE SCENTS

The less complicated the perfume composition the easier it is to mix. Look for subtle, minimalist fragrances that feature one or two notes only for a seamless blend. Try keep within the same family for better control of the combined fragrance.

THE ORDER MATTERS

Always spray the stronger fragrance first, so that it’s present but not overwhelming. When you’re layering an EDT or EDP with a body lotion (read further for more on this), or mixing two EDTs, always apply the heavier-smelling scent, wait for it to dry or soak in, and then apply the next.

NOT JUST FOR PERFUMES

Layering scents isn't exclusive to perfumes; you can also use body care products such as creams and butters to create an intense, long-lasting, top-to-toe scent. Applying scented body oils, lotions and creams together underneath your fragrance will uplift it.

THE PERFECT COCKTAIL

These complementary blends are worth taking note of:



Getty Images, Shutterstock

What would Easter be without all the trimmings that make this holiday extra special? Find out how to take your Easter festivities to the next level with mouthwatering recipes and special offers from Piatto Restaurants. 
CLUB VIP + CLUB LIFE

Imagine a table laden with chicken-parmesan-stuffed garlic bread for starters, elegant braised lamb shank with gravy for mains, and mini-egg rocky road for a knockout dessert with a distinctly Easter feel. Sound good? See how to make these delicious dishes and more here. Don’t feel like cooking for Easter? Go out instead! Edgars Club members get 10% off meals at Piatto Restaurant from Mondays to Thursdays, so you can treat the family to authentic Mediterranean cuisine in a lively environment, and experience the pleasure of coming home to a clean kitchen afterwards. Not only that, but Edgars Club members also stand a chance to win one of two R400 vouchers from Piatto Restaurants. Winning is easy, click here to find out more. Competition closes 30 April. Ts & Cs apply.

Remember that you can join Edgars Club and choose the way you'd like to pay. Either on your Edgars Thank U account or with cash, which allows you to benefit from Edgars Club offers even if you don't have a Thank U account. Simply purchase any of the Club packages at an Edgars till near you using cash or a credit or debit card. If you would like to open an account, visit your nearest Edgars store.

Getty Images