There is nothing more distressing than a beauty emergency. Fortunately there are a number of products at our disposal to fix almost any health or beauty problem.

Hangovers and/or late nights

Not only will a hangover and/or lack of sleep wreck havoc on your mind and body, chances are you won't be looking too pretty either. Fix yourself up in twenty minutes with the following steps:

1. SHOWER. Wash with an invigorating, gentle body wash. Give yourself a blast of cold water just before you get out to firm your skin and wake you up. Not pleasant, but it truly works wonders.

2. FACE. Remove all of last night’s make-up remnants with a gentle remover (I like to use almond oil on a damp cotton pad). A soothing spray toner will revive the face. I love Trilogy's version, keep it in the fridge for a lovely cool refresher. Follow with a brightening face product like Clarins Beauty Flash Balm. This gorgeous, silky balm rejuvenates the face and creates a great make-up base.

3. CLEAR EYES. I absolutely swear by these. A drop in each eye will have you looking normal in a few minutes. (If you wear contact lenses pop the drops in first then wait fifteen minutes before putting your lenses in).
 
 4. MAKE-UP. Go easy. A luminous tinted moisturiser, a touch of concealer, a flick of mascara and a peachy pink lip and/or cheek will do. Tie hair up in a cute high ponytail or bun for a quick but polished look.

5. REPLENISH. Berocca is a lifesaver. I usually follow this with poached eggs and a very strong coffee. Drink plenty of water. If you feel especially dehydrated and fragile then try my secret; a sachet of Gastrolyte (re-hydrating salts) sipped slowly will give you the will to live again.

Breakouts

Occasional: Treat with an anti-bacterial cream like Crystacide, or if you have any antibiotic ointment around the house, a dab of this will heal a blemish very quickly. Gentle cleansing is key, avoid the temptation to over-cleanse and scrub. Cover with a yellow based concealer the exact shade of your skin to tone down redness and hide the blemish. Powder lightly to set.

Frequent: Try over the counter options such as Benzac 5% (an antiseptic gel for acne applied thinly to affected areas). Again, gentle cleansing is VERY important, tight skin after cleansing is not an indication of "clean" skin, it simply means you have over-cleansed. Consider a salicylic acid based exfoliant instead of a mechanical scrub, and try not to exfoliate too often. Salicylic acid gets right into the pore and clears out oil and debris.

Cetaphil Cleanser for Oily Skin is a fantastic gentle cleanser for those with acne prone skin. Only moisturise where you need it; cheeks, forehead, around the eyes are areas which can be prone to dryness. Try a regime like this for a few months; with no improvement consider seeing a doctor or dermatologist for a prescription treatment.

Allergic reactions and skin irritation

Allergic reactions to skincare and make-up are extremely common, and can be very upsetting and uncomfortable. Figuring out exactly what you are allergic to is often impossible due to the myriad of ingredients in our products, and to make things even MORE complex, sometimes reactions occur due to a combination of products being used. The top irritants in cosmetics is fragrance; if you have sensitive skin, or are currently experiencing a reaction; opt for fragrance-free products where possible.

Miracle cure: 0.5% Hydrocortisone Cream (Skin Calm or Derm Aid).

A thin layer of Hydrocortisone cream twice daily for a maximum of seven days on a skin rash or reaction will calm it down very quickly. Be cautious when using on the face (never around the eyes) and do not use if the skin is broken.

Shaving/waxing rash irritation: Paraderm Plus is an excellent first-aid cream which is anti-inflammatory and numbs the skin slightly. Perfect for tender skin after shaving or waxing.

Sunburn, peeling and tan lines

Obviously prevention is better than a cure, and we all know the dangers of over-exposure to the sun. Ensure you have a broad spectrum sunscreen on hand at all times and apply it liberally every two hours, and avoid the sun between 11.00am and 3.00pm.

First 24 hours: Aloe gel or spray applied frequently will cool and moisturise the skin. Keep in the fridge for an extra cold treat for hot, tender skin. If skin is severely burnt and is blistering, seek medical advice. Avoid using creams for the first 24 hours, these can "trap" the heat in the skin.

Sunburned skin is damaged skin, and requires plenty of moisture. After the heat has gone, apply a rich moisturising cream two to three times daily, this can also help prevent peeling. Go easy on your skin in the bath or shower, use lukewarm water and avoid scrubbing. I adore the range of Body Butters from the Body Shop for after sun care.

Quick fix for peeling: A nourishing skin oil will soak up any dead skin in no time. Try not to scrub skin too hard as delicate, new skin is coming through which will be very sensitive. Focus on moisturising as often as possible.

Quick fix for tan lines: Exfoliate gently, follow with moisturiser. Once moisturiser has soaked in, strategically apply a bronzing powder or cream to the lighter areas of the skin. Thin Lizzy is brilliant for this. Despite the annoying infomercials, it is a fantastic bronzer. Another solution for mild tan lines is to get a professional spray tan to even out skin tone.

Article by Stephanie Coulter