How to survive the party season marathon? Lisa Haynes reveals the tricks to feigning eight hours beauty sleep.
ON the big night you may have been glamour personified: bouncy blow-dry, perfect party make-up and false lashes that put Cheryl Cole to shame. But fastforward to the morning-after-thenight- before and it’s a different story...
Your hair looks like it’s been stuck in a tumble dryer cycle, sparkly cosmetics have slid halfway down your face – and over your best frock – and those false lashes now resemble two spiders hanging out on your pillowcase.
A heavy night on the tiles can spell one big beauty hangover the next day.
It’s time to get your rescue routine down to a fine art, so that when that alarm goes off, you can step out of the door looking like the picture of virtue and vitality – no matter how much sleep you’ve clocked up.
Check out the post-party pick-me-ups that will fool everyone during the festive season.
SKIN STRESS
In an ideal world, we’d fling off our party heels and commence on a cleanse, tone and moisturise mission before downing a pint of water.
But let’s get real, after a few too many mulled wines and Christmas cocktails, removing shoes might be about your limit.
Keep cleansing wipes at your bedside table ready to erase your party face. You can always remove the glitter and mascara leftovers you’ve missed in the morning.
EYE SORE
If there’s one sure sign you’ve had one too many drinks and way too little sleep, it’s your eyes. Sadly, those Jackie Onassis-style sunglasses just aren’t going to cut it in the workplace.
The bloodshot look, eye bags and dark circles are all tell-tale signs that you’ve been burning the festive candle at both ends.
Leave an eye-mask in your fridge to diminish puffy eyes for five minutes while you’re coming around on your snooze button and use a refreshing eye roll-on so the cooling effects continue during your commute.
HAIR SCARE
Who knows if it’s the excessive dancefloor grooving or flirtatious hair flicking, but a night of partying appears to result in extremes of either wild or limp locks.
Tackle unruly bed-head knots and back-combing hangovers with a Tangle Teezer brush.
The beer bottle may have been your best friend last night, but if you’re too time-pushed to lather up your locks, reach for the trusty dry shampoo bottle to revive your tresses.
FIVE-MINUTE FACE
When the clock’s ticking but your reflection is still giving you nightmares on waking up, perfect a micro-second mirror routine.
Look for products containing light-diffusing technology that reflect light away from large pores, uneven skin tone and dreaded dark circles.
Drink water and hydrate your skin with a product containing calming properties such as camomile, green tea and cucumber to condition it.
Then, apply a caffeine-based eye cream to de-puff and moisturise with a product like MAC’s Strobe Cream, which reflects the light for an instant glow.
After a night of heavy make-up, let your skin breathe and cut back on cosmetics to shrink your application time.
Add a touch of colour to brighten up your complexion using a pink blusher on the apples of your cheeks, a bright lip colour, and curl lashes to open up your eyes.
Beauty bulletin...
■ Forget the grocery shopping, Sainsbury’s customers have been busy voting on their favourite cosmetics to throw into the trolley.
Hosted by Konnie Huq, Sainsbury’s first Beauty Awards crowned 14 worthy beauty winners. Top spots included John Frieda Luxurious Volume Thickening Blow Dry Lotion for Best Party Product; Nivea Soft for Best Handbag Mini Product and Best Recession-Busting Product went to Vaseline Lip Therapy.
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