Permanently Beautiful

Scarlett Johansson has them. Jessica Simpson and Serena Williams, too. What?  Allergies.

 If your allergies are acting up, it’s natural to want to crawl back under the covers and take it easy. But that’s not an option for celebrities who want to stay on the public radar.

 Your nose is running, you’re sneezing a lot, eyes are watery and red – and the spotlight’s on you.  It’s not easy. But trying to focus on your job whether it’s in front of a movie camera, a live audience or just your computer screen can be challenging when you’re coping with allergies.

 It’s also challenging to try to look your best. Irritating allergy symptoms can affect the skin around the eyes and nose. Constantly blowing the nose and wiping eyes can lead to sore, chapped or dehydrated skin. Other allergies such as eczema can also flare up when hay fever starts.

 Here are some beauty tips for allergy season:

·        If skin is sensitive or prone to other allergies then be careful about which brands are used. Try new products before buying and seek expert advice about which brands are safe to use with allergies in mind.

·        Chapped and dehydrated skin will sting when product is applied. This is because the surface of the skin is sore, rather than being the result of an allergic reaction. Balms can help to minimize this and repair skin, especially those with naturally soothing ingredients.

·        Minimize make-up if eyes are itchy and puffy. Anything which might irritate further such as a kohl pencil or glitter eye shadow is to be avoided. Consider permanent make-up as your perfect year round solution and you’ll always look good, even when your allergies are acting up. 

Utter the magic word “Chanel” and what do you think of? Hot haute couture fashions flaunted by supermodels like Carmen Kass and Claudia Schiffer. Or you may think of Chanel’s signature quilted purses, emblematic Chanel No. 5 perfume and signature little knit suits.  

But there really was a Chanel who started it all. Her name was Coco Chanel. We have a lot to thank her for. She’s the one who put women in pants and knee length skirts. And her classy comfortable suits. Just imagine. Before Coco Chanel, all women went around dressed like extras from the cast of Mary Poppins! 

Rumor has it that because Chanel, the child of a prostitute, was sent to Catholic boarding school, clerics’ garb was the creative child’s inspiration for the famous black and white women’s suits she designed. And the little black dress.

But there is one Chanel innovation that we’d all be a lot better off without today – the chic suntan. There really is no such thing. When Chanel started hanging out on the French Riviera with the jet set, she decided that a deep tan was just the ticket to set off her white summer wear.  

What Chanel could not have known is that a tan is really your skin’s response to an injury caused by ultra-violet radiation. That means the rays of the sun. Even if you don’t look burned, the damage is done. And the damage is cumulative. It builds up. So someday you are going to be wrinkled. Seriously wrinkled. 

Tanning beds also are bad news. As bad for you as the a direct hit from the sun itself. Go instead with a self-tanning cream or brush-on bronzer. And give your face some extra pop with permanent make-up.  You’ll look fabulous even when you’re in the water!