Hangover beauty cures
You can still step out with glowing, fresh skin the morning after an indulgent night out. Janan Jay reports.
Abirthday party, a wedding celebration or a catch-up with a good friend over wine - it’s easy to stay up way past our bedtime (and maybe indulge more than we should have). We’ve all woken up with parched skin and fake eyelashes on the pillow, but here’s what you can do to bluff your way to looking refreshed - even if you don’t feel like it.
Wipe it off
Prevention is better than cure, as the old adage goes, and there’s a good reason why you should rest and remove all your makeup before you hit the hay.
‘‘Sleeping in your makeup doesn’t allow your skin to breathe and your pores can become clogged,’’ explains Amy Elgar, national training manager at MAC Cosmetics.
‘‘This can cause a multitude of skin issues including dryness and acne.’’
Oil-based based cleansers from Asia, like The Face Shop’s Rice Water Bright Rich Cleansing Oil ($14) are great at removing makeup.
You can also cheat with some cleansing wipes, such as 16 Brand Peach Cleansing wipes ($10).
Deep clean
Rocking that smudged nightbefore eyeliner as a smokey-eye base the next day might make you feel cool - but it’s not at all good for you. Luna Oliveira, event specialist and consultant for YSL, says a deep cleanse is essential.
‘‘Alcohol really dries everything out, especially if you wore makeup the night before. Wearing makeup for a very long time can be quite harsh on the skin, so we want to make sure that we cleanse everything really well, so that our skin isn’t feeling too tired and overworked.’’
Water and a foam cleanser will do the trick. Lush’s Ultrabland ($19.90-$31.50), which has calming rosewater, and gently removes grime. I’m also a hardcore fan of the Korean cleanse (an oil cleanser, followed by a foam cleanser) so I always use both, big night out or not.
Drink up
Now that you’re cleaner, you need to see to that thirsty skin as it will be craving hydrating products, Oliveira explains. There are plenty of ways of getting your fix. A spritz of Mario Badescu Facial Spray with aloe, herbs and rosewater ($10) goes a long way. It feels especially good if you keep it in the fridge (trust me). You can also try sheet masks loaded with a supernourishing essence (like a very thick, highly concentrated toner). Mizon does a very affordable range, including soothing lavender or green tea, starting at $3.
‘‘Staying out for longer than you’re used to and consuming alcohol all have an intense effect on our skin,’’ Oliveira says, ‘‘more than we realise, actually’’.
‘‘It’s a really good idea to take care of it the next day - and drink a lot of water.’’
Round off your restorative skincare routine with a moisturiser that is also a makeup primer, ideally one with some sun protection, she says.
About face
If you don’t have to pile it on, keep it light. Oliveira suggests reaching for YSL Top Secrets BB Cream SPF20 ($105) - or anything with SPF to protect you from the sun.
‘‘Because your skin is already feeling the effects of the night before... it’s a good idea not to put on a lot of makeup to keep that fresh hydrated feel to it, so your skin isn’t too overloaded with too many products.
‘‘BB cream is going to give you a healthy glow, but also give you the correction and uniformity to the skin that you want.’’
Eye, eye
‘‘To make your eyes look more awake, try a lash curler,’’ says Elgar. Follow this with two coats of a lash primer, like MAC
Cosmetic’s own False Lashes Maximizer ($33) and lashings of your favourite mascara.
‘‘Adding a nude or white pencil to the inner waterline of your eyes will also instantly make you look more awake,’’ she adds.
If you can manage it, false lashes are distractingly glamorous, and half-size ones are a good cheat. They don’t require as much effort and you’re less likely to mess up applying them than you would a full-length pair.
While we’re talking about your peepers, waking up with those dark circles is pretty much inevitable, which Oliveira says is down to a number of factors, including fatigue. YSL Touche Eclat ($65) is the last word in looking radiant when you feel anything but. Case in point, it’s been a flight attendant staple for over two decades (and I’m a devotee). However, 16Brand Blur Concealer ($21) makes a reliable, thrifty alternative.
Pucker up
Another tell-tale sign of a heavy night is dry lips, Oliveira says. If yours are a bit chapped, Mecca Maxima have a single-use Kiss And Tell Plumping Lip Mask ($8). I exfoliate with Mint Julips Lip Scrub ($11.50), then slather on Honey Trap Lip Balm ($14.90) - both from Lush.