Six beauty emergencies, solved

Beauty disaster: You’ve coloured your hair and hate the result

Grant Withnell of Schwarzkopf says your action plan depends on the shade you’ve chosen. “For example, if you’ve coloured it red and it’s too intense, use an ash-brown shade to tone it down,” he advises. “But remember, when putting permanent colour on top of permanent colour, the  results are darker.”

Avoid disaster by… calling the Schwarzkopf helpline 0800 930 930 before colouring your hair.

Image: Paul Suesse/ beauersyndication.com.au

Beauty disaster: You’ve over-coloured the ends of your hair and it’s looking too dense

Grant Withnell of Schwarzkopf advises using a lightening product on the ends, then colouring again to get the desired result. This can be tricky, so as an alternative, try his homemade recipe: Mix 1 tbsp of baking soda, 1 tbsp of an anti-dandruff shampoo and 1 tbsp of water. Use this deep scrub to wash your hair. It will help remove dye but only works on just-coloured hair.

Avoid disaster by… blending the product  into the existing colour  so that you don’t over-do  your ends if you’re trying  to cover regrowth.

Image: Image: Paul Suesse/ beauersyndication.com.au

Beauty disaster: You get a blemish before a big night out

Press an ice cube on the spot to reduce inflammation for up to 10 minutes, then apply a gel treatment containing salicylic acid like Clinique anti-Blemish Solutions Spot Treatment Gel $39.

Avoid disaster by… trying not to squeeze blackheads and imperfections, don’t touch your face too much and exfoliate twice a week.

Beauty disaster: You’ve over-plucked your brows

Encourage regrowth by using a treatment like Elizabeth Arden Prevage Clinical Lash & Brow Enhancing Serum $190. In the meantime, fill in the spaces using a brow pencil by applying in short strokes – try a Shiseido natural Eyebrow Pencil $40.

Avoid disaster by… going to a salon for an expert shape that you can then maintain yourself.

Beauty disaster: Your make-up looks wrong but there’s no time to redo it

If your foundation is too dark, dab some moisturiser over the top to thin it out a little. If it’s too heavy, wet a sponge and dab in. If you’ve over-powdered your complexion, apply a light mist of water or a skin spray, then let it dry without dabbing. If your eyeliner has wobbled, then smudge the line with your finger and soften further by blending powder eyeshadow over the top. If your blusher is too intense, tone it down by smoothing on a little more foundation. If your lipstick is too bright, blot your lips and apply a nude gloss to mute it. If your mascara is heavy or gluggy, dip a cotton bud in eye make-up remover and gently take off some of the excess. If you’ve smudged your nail polish, smooth it out with a little top coat or try Orly Smudge Fixer $14.99.

Avoid disaster by… perfecting your make-up look some time when you’re not in a hurry.

Beauty disaster: Your fake tan has streaked

Soak in a bath, then rub the streaks with lemon juice and an exfoliating mitt or an old, dry towel. Follow with a body oil and continue to use the exfoliating mitt all over the body to even things out. Alternatively, use St Tropez Tan Remover $29.95 within four hours of application.

Avoid disaster by… exfoliating your body theday before you apply fake tan and using a gradual moisturising formula like Le Tan Daily Glow Gradual Tan $11.99.