Q & A | Concealing a Red Nose

Q: hi Rhia,
Hoping you can help...the tip of my nose and the skin right below it are really prone to turning red, and the cold weather (and cold/flu season) isn't helping! Are there any products you can recommend to help hide the redness? I have heard that using green concealer works?

A: Tell me about it - I get a case of "Rudolph" nose during this colder time of the year too! Fortunately, we have make-up on our side to help us camouflage the redness we get from irritation. :)

First off, with all the nose wiping and blowing, make sure you moisturize the tips of your nose well. Treat yourself to at least 2-ply tissue...and hey spoil yourself with 3-ply if you're blowing your nose constantly! Softer tissue will help to reduce the irritation that comes from the constant friction of you rubbing your nose.

Now in terms of using green concealer, I always advise clients to use a light hand, as it's one of those tricky colours to work with. The use of green concealer is based on colour wheel theory: green is the opposite colour of red so once applied, green helps to neutralize and reduce redness. In the past, I have used green concealer to combat redness whether it be around the nose, for a rash or for a pimple! You do have to be careful to blend it properly....otherwise the green concealer can leave a pale white-green cast on the area applied...and you may end up drawing unwanted attention to that same area you're trying to hide! An easier and more user-friendly colour to work with is a creamy yellow concealer. Apply the yellow in the same manner as you would with the green concealer (start off light because it's always easier to add more!).

How to apply:
1. Distribute the colour correcting concealer over the redness and blend.
2. Apply your skin-tone matching concealer and/or foundation atop.
3. Set the application with a dusting of powder.
4. Pack the concealer in your make-up kit, as you may need to touch up the area once you blow your nose again.

Colour Correctors to try:
Benefit You're Bluffing Concealer Wand (approx $22)
The tube applicator makes it easy to lightly apply the concealer where needed. The formula glides and disguises redness well.

Physicians Formula Gentle Cover Concealer Stick (approx $8)
Physicians Formula concealer comes in Green, Yellow or Pale Yellow. The formula glides on smooth, is non-drying and blends easily into the skin.

Marcelle Universal Concealer Palette ($16)
Use the yellow of this palette to colour correct and then blend with one (or a mix of the skin tone colours). I love this palette - see my review here (oh yeah, and enter the contest to win one!)

Thanks for the great question - especially at this time of the year!

If you have a make-up related question you'd like to ask, drop me an email: rhia[at]artistrhi[dot]com. I look forward to hearing from you!