BRITTANY MASON

Actress, activist, model and writer

I am comfortable with the amount of alcohol I consume. I would not consider myself someone who drinks a lot. I drink a lot less than I used to. I used to live in NYC and I feel like everything was surrounded by alcohol.

No matter what I was doing — a lunch meeting, dinner, or just hanging with friends — everything was surrounded by drinking. It was easy to drink everyday without even realising it, it was just part of life and culture there. New York is literally a city that never sleeps . . . and I never slept. I was also in my early twenties so I was really enjoying that time in my life. I felt like I never wanted to miss out on any events or opportunities in the city.

I would say I may have a couple of glasses of wine a week before bed, or maybe a couple of cocktails over dinner a few times a week at most. Sometimes I don’t even have a drink for a couple of weeks.

Sometimes I will drink if I am out at dinner, an event, a party, or maybe just a nice glass of wine to relax at home.

Even though I consider myself someone who does not drink often, I feel it takes a good amount for me to get drunk. I have been told I handle my liquor well. I never ever like being sloppy, so I know what my limits are and I don’t cross them. There is a difference between having fun and just being plain trashy and sloppy. It’s one of my biggest pet peeves. Don’t be that girl with filthy barefeet waiting on a cab because your feet hurt from heels and you’re too drunk to stand! No. No.

One of the feelings I hate the most is a hangover! I absolutely hate hangovers. I like waking up and feeling great the next day. If I have drinks with a lot of sugar in it I sleep terribly; I usually wake up throughout the night. This is why I do not drink as much as I used to.

Don’t get me wrong — on a very special occasion it’s nice to have a big night out, but I do everything possible to avoid a dreaded hangover the next day. I have noticed a major difference in my skin and body since I cut my alcohol intake. I feel so much better about myself. Alcohol is one of the worst factors for cellulite, plus it dehydrates you. I like taking care of myself, my body, and my skin. Dehydration is one of the major causes of wrinkles.

First, always drink a ton of water and two pain killers before bed, hangovers are caused by dehydration. Other things that work, Dioralyte for major dehydration, eat breakfast (bananas are good for potassium), sleep, also try and sweat it out in the sauna, or, my personal favourite, Bikram yoga. If all else fails: ‘hair of the dog’.

My favorite cocktails would be an old-fashioned, a spicy margarita, or a dirty martini. If I am drinking wine, my favourite is a nice cabernet sauvignon.

Alcohol is nice in a social environment or a nice way to relax; however, I could see myself giving up alcohol.