How to look rested during the holidays even when you’re partied out
Back-to-back parties can wreak havoc on your skin. Hide your hangover with these five radiance-enhancing tips
From celebrating into the wee hours to indulging in some scrumptious food and, um, “festive” beverages, the holidays can leave us feeling a tad worn out. But that doesn’t mean our faces have to look it. With some savvy skincare and a little makeup magic, you can fake a full night’s rest right in time for the next soirée. Here’s how to do it.
START WITH A CLEAN SLATE
Washing your face before bed is pretty much the first commandment of skincare, but if you know you’re the type to sin when too tired, stash some makeup wipes in your bedside table for optimal convenience. The next morning, regardless of how thorough (or not) you were the night before, kick off your day with a good deep cleanse courtesy of an exfoliating face wash. The buffing action will slough away dead cells and dirt to reveal a fresh new glow. Top things off with a purifying toner to get rid of any last bits of debris and help your skin better drink up whatever you apply next.
CALL IN SOME BACKUP
When your face is in dire need of a pickme up, consider revving up your regimen with skincare tools. Whether you opt for a high-tech gadget or a jewel-like instrument inspired by ancient rituals, the idea is roughly the same: It’s all about massaging your face to increase blood flow and drain puffiness. As a result, skin will appear smoother and more radiant, facial tensions will be relaxed and fine lines will be reduced. Upward and outward strokes are great for lifting the face, while a gentle tapping motion works wonders on undereye bags. Whatever your target, always dot the area with a bit of serum or oil beforehand to allow your tool to glide without tugging.
MOISTURIZE TO THE HIGH HEAVENS
Alcohol and salty foods are notorious for drying you out, which makes hydration your number 1 post-party priority. On top of guzzling plenty of water, get some topical help with an arsenal of moisturizing aids. First order of business is a mask.
Give your skin ample time to soak up the nourishment and replenish its moisture reserves before you rinse. Next, keep the hydration going by swapping light lotions for something a bit heftier like a rich cream or face oil. Look for a formula laced with skin-perfecting ingredients like antioxidants (to protect) and essential amino acids (to repair).
LAYER ON THE RADIANCE
Once you’ve got the skincare down, it’s time to move on to makeup. Luckily, the beauty aisles abound with remedies designed to give you a rested, radiant look. The key is to reach for sheer, light-reflecting products rather than anything thick or glittery. To nab a natural glow, prep your complexion with a luminous primer before smoothing on a light foundation. Then, add dimension by dusting a bit of highlighter on the high points of your face, like cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, temples, Cupid’s bow and brow bones.
WAKE UP YOUR GAZE
Dark circles all around, bags underneath, redness inside… eyes are the biggest giveaway when you don’t get a proper eight-hour slumber. But it’s nothing some clever makeup hacks can’t disguise. After hydrating and massaging the delicate eye area, dab on a radiant-finish concealer to camouflage any darkness. Make sure to also cover the bluish veins that tend to show up on the inner corners when you’re tired. Then, score a wide-eyed look thanks to some beige pencil on your waterlines. It looks more natural than stark white and instantly makes eyes appear brighter. Royal watchers have even noticed that Meghan Markle has adopted the trick since announcing she is expecting.