WE ALL want to look our best everyday. That is why we wear makeup or keep our skin blemish-free. But, we can?t help but look tired, especially after a long day at work. On days like these we would rather stay at home.

Here are ways to look fresh from day to night, and how to deal with stubborn pimples.

How do you keep your face fresh on a busy day??Tere A.

While I prefer to go out without any makeup, most of the time I have to wear makeup?sometimes from early morning to late night. Looking fresh is not an option so I have to find ways to prevent makeup from melting.

Wearing a foundation base or primer does the trick for me. It prepares the skin for makeup, creating an even surface for makeup to adhere better. It also acts as an invisible layer that protects skin against environmental aggressors, like harmful UV rays and pollution. Some even go as far as nourishing skin with vitamins and minimizing puffiness on the face. There are many kinds of primers to suit any skin type, so try the product first before buying.

Apply primer on your face after moisturizing and before putting on foundation, concentrating on areas which are prone to oiliness, like nose, forehead, chin and eyelids.

If you want to go out sans makeup, an oil blotter is your best friend. Blot on oily areas, or if you have combination to oily skin, dust a little translucent powder on your face to soak up the shine.

How do you ease the pain of having big, red pimples??Erfah C.

If your first impulse is to squeeze the life out of it, stop. Popping pimples can lead to infection and scarring. Not only that, instead of pushing out the pimple, you may end up pushing it in deeper, extending the life of the pimple.

To minimize redness and inflammation, wrap an ice cube with a clean washcloth and place it against the pimple for 10 minutes. This also eases the pain that comes with getting a pimple. The next step is to apply a pimple cream on the affected area. Products with salicylic acid and benzyl peroxide are the most effective for drying out pimples. Apply the product on the pimple itself?these products can dry skin, causing it to peel or flake.

To cover the blemish, use a rich-pigment concealer (these usually come in pencil or pot form) one shade darker than your foundation to minimize bumps. Avoid any light diffusing concealers as these can highlight your blemish even more.

E-mail the author at ask.kellymisa @gmail.com