When you are down with the flu, the last thing you want to do is get out of bed. Whilst the thought of hot soup and Netflix sound too tempting, the real world calls for meetings, interviews and brainstorming sessions. Although we can’t help you with the internal stuff (though coffee is always a cure!), we can make you feel better… by making you look better! Here are 5 steps to masking your illness like a pro.

Step One: Depuff

Swollen, itchy eyes are a pain to deal with. Calm them down by placing chilled, steeped green tea bags on your eyes for 10 minutes.

Step Two: Correct

All that sniffling and fatigue isn’t doing wonders for your complexion. Dot on a green colour-correcting pen to counteract any redness on your skin. Then, use a peach-toned corrector to minimize the appearance of your under eye circles.

Step Three: Conceal

This step is the key to faking it! Once you have colour corrected your skin, apply a thin layer of concealer over those areas to create an even, neutral canvas. Blend until seamless.

Step Four: Blush

Pink cheeks imply good health. Use a cream formula on the apples of your cheeks for a natural-looking flush. The slight sheen from your fever will give it a dewy look – possibly the only advantage of running a temperature!

Step Five: Curl

When you can’t stop sneezing, who has the time (or the patience) to draw a cat eye? Skip the liner and opt for a curl-enhancing mascara instead to look more alert.

It may be tempting to slap on some lipstick and call it a day, but these tips will actually make you look more put together! If you have any other makeup remedies, be sure to mention them in the comments below. Get well soon!