Ah, spring. It’s a season filled with balmy weather, budding trees and -- for allergy sufferers -- a disheveled appearance. All too often, you’ll dress up for an outdoor concert or picnic only to return home with a red nose, under-eye circles and a pocket full of tissues.

If you’re one of the 35 million Americans who battles seasonal allergies, there’s no need to become a springtime recluse. The following tips will help you ease those symptoms, so you can look fantastic all season long.

1. Cover up.
Allergies can cause dark circles to form beneath your eyes. To look awake and fresh, use a concealer that matches your skin type. Dab it on with your finger and use a facial tissue to remove any excess product. Keep an extra concealer in your purse so you can apply touch-ups on the run.

2. Look like Jackie O.
Before you head out of the house, put on a pair of wraparound shades. Not only do they cover up the dark circles, but they’ll also block pollen from entering your eyes.

3. Minimize your makeup.
During allergy season, some tears are inevitable. Make sure you use waterproof makeup, or go for a minimal look: Stick with tinted moisturizer or BB cream, concealer, blush and lipstick -- and skip the heavy eye makeup, which can run. Also keep a pack of tissues in your purse to wipe away smears and tears.

4. Pick soft tissues.
Constantly wiping and blowing your nose irritates the skin, creating a red Rudolf-like effect. Look for a soft facial tissue with lotion that’s gentle on your nose. And dab lotion on your nose throughout the day.

5. Drink up.
Being dehydrated causes blood vessels to get bigger, which can lead to an even puffier face. Drink a glass of water first thing in the morning and carry a reusable water bottle with you to make sure that you’re getting enough fluids.

Photo by Gabriel Silvério on Unsplash

Like this article? Get more by following us on Facebook at Beauty & Confidence.

There’s no better time to get flirty than on Valentine’s Day -- especially when it comes to your hair and makeup. Soft waves, dewy skin and rosy cheeks create a dreamy, romantic look that’s perfect for the evening, whether you’re planning a big night out or intimate dinner at home. Try the following tips for makeup application to score a look you’re both sure to love.

1. Make some waves.
You can’t go wrong with loose, bohemian waves. Start by working volumizing mousse onto damp hair and blow-drying completely. (If you’re short on time, sprinkle dry shampoo, such as Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo, on your roots.) Wrap small sections of your hair around a curling iron, only using the middle part of your strands; keep the iron away from your roots and ends. Repeat until you’ve curled all of your hair, then gently brush out and set with hair spray.

Want to wear your hair up? Show off your neck and shoulders with with a romantically undone ‘do. First, curl dry, unwashed hair with a large-barrel curling iron. Then pull your hair into a loose ponytail at the nape of your neck or to one side, and secure with an elastic band. Twist hair around the band until it forms and bun and secure with bobby pins.  Run your fingers through your hair for some wispy face-framing pieces and finish off with hairspray. For an extra touch, add a pretty headband.

2. Go light.
To achieve a gorgeous glow, skip heavy cream-based foundations. Instead, lighten up your look with an illuminating sheer liquid foundation, such as Stila’s Illuminating Liquid Foundation. Then dab on the concealer only where needed, and set with a translucent powder. To remove excess product, blot with a facial tissue.

3. Try a twist on the smoky eye.
Trade in your usual black or charcoal eyeliner for a pop of color, like emerald green, deep plum or navy blue. To apply, smudge the eyeliner along the top and bottom of your lashes; you want an uneven, soft look. Wrap your forefinger in a facial tissue, and swipe away any excess beneath or in the inner corner of your eye.

For an extra pop, dab a little white eye shadow in the inner corner of your eye or add a subtle gold liner just above the top lash line (apply on top of the colored liner). Keep the rest of your makeup neutral -- and all eyes will be on you!

4. Look pretty in pink.
In the beauty world, going match-matchy is usually a don’t. But the romantic look is an exception to this rule: Soft pink lips and cheeks create a super-dreamy appearance.

To avoid going overboard, apply the blush only to the apples of your cheek. Then add a touch of bronzer along the edges of your face: On each side of your forehead, a sideways “W” motion from the edge of your forehead to the cheekbone, and then from your cheekbone to the side of your jawline.

5. Get soft, dewy skin.
A simple trick for come-hither skin: Apply moisturizer before and after you put on your makeup. (You heard me right -- after!) Like to a topcoat of nail polish, lotion sets your look and adds a little glow. Pat, don’t rub, a little drop of moisturizer on your cheekbones, T-zone and chin -- and you’ll look gorgeous all evening.

Photo by Jose Martinez on Unsplash

Get more by following us on Facebook at Beauty & Confidence.