Morning after beauty

C. Remedios

If you’ve been giving Paris Hilton a run for her money in the partying stakes, chances are you haven’t been adhering to the eight-hour-a-night rule. And there’s nothing worse for your skin and hair than dehydrating alcoholic beverages (yes, we’re talking about those cosmopolitans that seemed like such a good idea last night) and second hand smoke. So if you wake up the next morning feeling the effects, here are some tips on beautifying yourself for a long day at the office. 

The first step is to sort out your dry, dehydrated skin, so repeat after me, cleanse, tone and moisturise. No matter how groggy you feel or how awful that hangover is, a good
three-step regimen will restore your natural pH balance. Use a mild cleanser and gently massage it into your face and neck. This will get your circulation pumping while the toner will get rid of all traces of makeup and pore-clogging dirt.

Model Tupur Chatterjee knows the benefits of a good moisturiser. She says, “Your skin will be dry and pale after a night out, so moisturiser is a must.” A good moisturiser will sink into your skin, plumping up any fine lines that may have formed overnight and adding a glow to your otherwise pale face.

Once you’ve got a clean, fresh face don’t go overboard with the makeup. “After a big night out more is less when it comes to your makeup. Dark circles are common for those suffering from lack of sleep, so cover up any shadows with a good concealer,” says makeup artist Pooja Arora. Sticks, creams or brightening eye gels will give your eyes back its sparkle. Skip the heavy eyeliner and go for mascara to open up your eyes. “An instant quick-fix is a hint of peach blush on your cheeks. It will immediately brighten up your face,” advises makeup guru Venus Ferreira. And if your pout has lost its clout, give your lips a boost with a light lip-gloss. In addition to adding a bit of shine, it will keep your pucker hydrated and healthy.

No time to wash your hair? Just follow this simple trick most makeup artists use on runway models. Just dust in some talcum powder and massage it evenly through the roots. Make sure you brush it out well and, voila, fresh, bouncy hair is yours. To mask any lingering smoke smell, spray some perfume on your hairbrush and work your way  from roots to tips. Maybe today is the day to bring out that funky headband that is all the rage with the Tinsletown stars .

All you need to do now is drink plenty of water throughout the day, snack on fresh fruit and veggies and, most importantly, hit the sack early. They don’t call it beauty sleep for nothing, you know!