GVK/Bauer-Griffin/GC ImagesWe all know it's not tough for Jessica Alba to look good, even after a night of staying up with the little ones and a long flight. But when the Sin City starlet was spotted at LAX donning an Indiana Jones fedora, sky-high cheekbones and a pinky-brown nude lip, all we could think was, "wow."
Ms. Alba's skin looked hydrated and dewy. And with just a hint of mascara, a little color along her cheekbones and a swipe of lipstick, Jessica looked ready to go straight from the airport to a night out.
Yes, it helps to be born with Jessica's superhuman good looks, but there are a few simple steps you can take to ensure you look paparazzi-ready when you emerge from your next flight.
Get the Look: On the morning of your flight, after cleansing your face, gently exfoliate and give your skin a dose of glow by sweeping a facial peel pad that has both lactic and glycolic acid over your face like First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads.
Since airplane air is super drying, apply a hydrating and replenishing serum to give your moisturizer a boost like Skinceuticals Hydrating B5 Gel. Follow with a moisturizer that contains Hyaluronic Acid like Hada Labo Tokyo Replenishing Hydrator. Tip: Bring your moisturizer in your carry-on and apply as the plane begins to descend.
In order to hide any puffiness from the previous night's partying, start by tapping on a de-puffing eye gel with soothing cucumber like Fresh Lotus Eye Gel, which also has soft orange extract and ginko biloba to help reduce the appearance of puffiness and invigorate the skin.
To give eyes that bright-eyed bushy tailed "Who me? I went to bed at 9!" look, apply a brightening eye cream like Tarte Maracuja C-Brighter Eye Treatment. Tip: Make sure you never rub the skin around your delicate eye area. Always use a tapping motion for application.
To mimic Ms. Alba's ridiculously high cheekbones, without looking like you got in a mud fight, subtly contour your cheeks with a matte brown a few shades darker than your natural skin color. Swipe the powder along the hollows of your cheeks, upwards towards your temples. Makes sure you blend like crazy!
To prepare for arrival, when the captain announces your descent, reapply the eye cream for an instant brightening effect. Then, apply 2-3 coats of defining, non-clumping mascara like CoverGirl Lash Exact Mascara.
When you emerge from the flight, ensure everyone is looking at your creamy pucker rather than your red irritated eyes by applying a hydrating, long-lasting pinky-brown nude lipstick like Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in Liar. Tip: If the flight has left your lips dry and crusty, ask the flight attendant for a packet of sugar. Dip your finger in water and then in the sugar and scrub your lips. Voila! Instantly smoothed pucker.
If you really want to ensure you look red carpet ready when you emerge from a flight, bring a travel size mister of mineral water or herbal alcohol-free toner and constantly spray your face throughout the flight. Be forewarned: if you go the herbal toner route, after the third or forth spray you will quickly find out which of your seatmates are calmed by the scent or ready to throw you from the plane midflight. If it's the latter, quickly swipe on a coat of that pretty lipstick and give them your best Jessica Alba smile. How could they possibly resist??
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