How to Look Insanely Good After a Breakup

Recovering from a breakup involves more than chocolate ice cream and trashing your ex's things. A changed-up and improved beauty routine will take you from doom and gloom to va-va-va-voom in no time. And even if moving on and dating someone new is not on your radar just yet, looking amazing from head to toe should be (it's the best revenge!). So what do you do when you're ready to get over the breakup? Give yourself a breakup makeover — a breakover! Here's how.

By Cindy Augustine

Share

Eye Breakover

You've been crying your eyes out for a week, and now they're red and puffy. Deflate, brighten, and wake up those tired peepers to set your sights on someone new.
package of duwop igels
Courtesy of DuWop
Back Next

DuWop igels

Start by de-puffing your eyes with a DuWop igels eye mask.

$25, duwop.com

tub of origins ginzing refreshing eye cream
Courtesy of Origins
Back Next

Origins GinZing

Get rid of your dark under-eye circles with Origins GinZing brightening eye cream.

$29.50, origins.com

tube of patricia wexler md dermatology fastscription instant de puff eye gel
Courtesy of Patricia Wexler MD
Back Next

Patricia Wexler MD Dermatology Fastscription Instant De-Puff Eye Gel

Before you add any foundation or concealer, be sure to pat a pea-sized amount of Wexler Instant De-Puff Eye Gel around your eyes to help tighten the skin.

$19.50, bathandbodyworks.com

Elizabeth Griffin/Hearst Digital Media
Back Next

CoverGirl LashBlast Length Mascara

To open your eyes even more (and eventually do a little flirting), add two coats of CoverGirl LashBlast Length Mascara to show off your gorgeous lashes.

$7.79, drugstore.com

Face and Body Breakover

Skip salon facials and body treatments; instead, save your cash and use it to buy a hot outfit. You can also try some at-home treatments and save yourself time and money.

Courtesy of Juice Beauty
Back Next

Green Apple Peel

Great for sensitive skin, this Green Apple Peel will leave you feeling refreshed, hydrated, and blemish-free.

$39, juicebeauty.com

Courtesy of Suki Skin Care
Back Next

Suki Face Intensive Brightening Cream

After a week of gorging on ice cream and chocolate (and probably chicken tenders and French fries, too) you'll want to drink lots of water to flush out the extra intake of salt. Plus, you'll want to brighten, rehydrate, and reduce the redness of your skin with Intensive Brightening Cream by Suki.

$54.95, sukiskincare.com

Courtesy of Clinique
Back Next

Clinique Self Sun Face Tinted Lotion

Nothing’s better than breaking up with your beau and being out and about a week later with a healthy tan. Get a glow with Clinique's Self Sun Face Tinted Lotion. This is also great for beach getaways when you need a little color but not caked-on makeup.

$20, sephora.com

Courtest of LaLicious
Back Next

LaLicious Coffee Bean Sugar Soufflé Moisturizing Body Scrub

Feel sexy all over and get touchably soft skin (important for moving on!) with LaLicious Coffee Bean Sugar Soufflé body scrub. Use a washcloth or loofa in the shower to help slough off dry skin.

$34, lalicious.com

Courtesy of Chanel
Back Next

Chanel Le Vernis Nail Colour

Give yourself a manicure to make your hands soft, touchable, and memorable. Try painting on one of spring's hottest colors, like Chanel Inattendu, which will last and go a long way toward a better attitude.

$23, bloomingdales.com

Lip Breakover

Although the thought of kissing someone new still makes you feel nauseous, you'll want your lips in tip-top shape for when he comes crawling back, or for when you meet someone new. Get ready to pucker up again with these great products.

Courtesy of Sara Happ
Back Next

Lip Slip Lip Balm

After neglecting your lips for however long you've been moping around your apartment, you'll want to exfoliate and hydrate them. Nourished lips take lipstick and lip gloss better and will definitely score you points in the kissing department when that time comes.

$24, sarahapp.com

Courtesy of MAC
Back Next

MAC Ruby Woo Lipstick

It doesn't matter if you're grocery shopping or on a girls' night out. Swipe on some kick-ass red lipstick, like MAC Ruby Woo (it looks great on every skin tone!). This standout color will get you noticed and make you feel like a million bucks!

$14, maccosmetics.com

Hair Breakover

Everyone wants a fresh start after a breakup — just make sure that you get a great look, not simply a drastic change, so you'll end up with your hottest hair ever.

Courtesy of Pantene Pro-V
Back Next

Pantene Pro-V Deep Fortifying Ultra-Fortifiant Treatment

If you've neglected showering for a few days, at this point you'll need a deep-conditioning treatment, like Pantene Deep Fortifying Ultra-Fortifiant Treatment, to help bring your dried-out locks back to life. If you naturally have oilier hair, opt for an antiresidue shampoo like Neutrogena to thoroughly clean your follicles.

Pantene Pro-V Deep Fortifying Ultra-Fortifiant Treatment, $5.99, beautyofnewyork.com

Neutrogena, $5.59, drugstore.com

Getty Images
Back Next

Hair-Color Breakover

You're upset. We understand. Our advice? See a pro. It's oh-so-tempting to grab the scissors or a box of hair dye and embark on a DIY makeover (especially after a glass or two of wine), but makeovers are best left to a seasoned stylist who can help guide you. Another hint: Wait a week or two after your split to make an appointment for a new cut or color so you don't do anything too rash.

You can also tweak your color. Carrie Bradshaw had the right idea when she dyed her locks chocolate brown after her breakup with Big. But the trick is to transform your color in small steps rather than in one day. If you want to go lighter, ask your colorist to give you a few highlights. If you prefer a darker look, go two shades deeper than your current hue.

You can try on different hair colors in our Instant Hair Makeover tool with absolutely no commitment.

Getty Images
Back Next

Breakover Haircut

One of the best ways to get over a breakup is to switch up your hairstyle. But before you pull a Felicity and chop off all your locks, follow these tips on scoring a sexy new 'do. Just remember: The only thing worse than a broken heart is an awful haircut.

Start off simple. Take a page out of Reese Witherspoon's playbook and add a few sexy face-framing layers or side-swept bangs. It's an easy way to get a fresh look without making a dramatic change.

Get a blowout. A hair breakover doesn't have to mean a new cut or color. Just treating yourself to a professional blowout will put you in a better mood. Ask the stylist to give you some styling tips so you can update your everyday 'do on your own.

Mind Breakover

You need to get into a better mindset. Sure, it will take time to heal, but no one wants to be around someone who's constantly bummed. You are beautiful; you will get over this. Sheila Kelley (the founder of S Factor) has five ways to feel better about yourself in a hurry.

Body Breakover

There's no faster way to feel good about your body than by working out and eating healthy. Try these easy-start exercises you can do in 15 minutes!

Plus, if you've been gobbling up junk food, try these waist-slimming alternatives that will satisfy all your salt, dairy, and chocolate cravings.

Courtesy of Kim Kardashian
Back Next

Fragrance Breakover

Scent is a major sensory trigger, so change up your perfume with something new. Not sure what to pick? Take our perfume quiz and see what fragrance you should be wearing based on your personality.

Or, try our favorite picks for spring, both inspired by amazingly strong women:

Kim Kardashian by Kim Kardashian

SJP NYC by Sarah Jessica Parker

Return to Slideshow

Related Links