Words: Izzie Price
One surprising benefit of lockdown? It hides all manner of hangover-related sins. Bad breath? Not a problem. Bags under your eyes? Zoom can work wonders. Want to stay in bed all morning? Pass me my laptop.
But with the end of lockdown in sight, those hangovers — and all of their accompanying sins — will be back in full force. And, as pubs and bars move to reopen, it’s time to start some pre-emptive damage control. That way, you’ll be able to have that big night out you’ve been dreaming about for months, while ensuring no one suspects a thing the next day.
And the best part is, that damage control is easily done: with a tactical overhaul of your bathroom cabinet, you can ensure that any hangover is quickly and effectively disguised. From swilling some top minty mouthwash to putting a little colour back in those cheeks, these are the products you should be buying so you’ll look as good the morning after as you felt the night before…
Prevention is better than cure: La Mer Treatment Lotion Hydrating Mask
We know the heaviest nights often tend to be the ones you didn’t see coming: so if you’ve got a party on the post-lockdown horizon which pretty much comes with the proviso of a heavy hangover, then it’s time to get ahead of the game while you still can.
La Mer is the undisputed champion of heavy-duty skincare, and a staple name in a host of the best-looking celebrities’ cabinet. A day or two before that long-awaited Big Night Out, apply this mask and wait for your future skin to thank you later.
Open your eyes: Perricone MD Essential FX Smoothing and Brightening Eye Cream
The eyes are the window to the soul: and by default, they are also the window to the soulless recognition of all the mistakes you made last night. Enter this best-selling eye cream from Dr. Goldfaden, designed to help reduce the appearance of darkness, puffiness, and fine lines.
(Sadly, it won’t keep your eyelids open for you as you trawl through emails, but we can recommend the best coffee on the market to help you out there, too…)
Scrub the night away: Acqua di Parma Pumice Face Scrub
There’s something cathartic about scrubbing the remnants of a rough night from your tell-tale pores. We hope that exfoliation is already a part of your grooming routine, but it really is of utmost importance when it comes to hangover damage limitation.
Remove all those dead skin cells and give your skin a chance to repair and rejuvenate with Acqua di Parma’s non-foaming Pumice Face Scrub. And, for an extra refreshing burst, back it up with the brand’s Refreshing Face Wash…
Embrace the Man Tan: Tom Ford Bronzing Gel
It’s time to loosen up when it comes to fake tan. Forget what you thought you knew about streaky lines, sponge mitts and stained bedsheets. Fake tan can be a total lifesaver when it comes to disguising a multitude of alcohol-induced sins.
This Tom Ford Bronzing Gel gets our vote for being easy to apply, natural-looking, and smelling bloody amazing. Fake it till you make it.
Banish bad breath: Aesop Mouthwash
If you’ve followed all of the above rules, and take your skincare seriously, then we applaud you. But sadly, these tips alone will not make you immune to the desperately embarrassing bad breath that has you reeking of a brewery the day after the night before.
Australian-based brand Aesop recommends you “swig generously and gargle prior to all public appearances” and, of course, after brushing to maintain optimal oral hygiene.
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate: Rosemary Water
Never, ever investigate the powers of ‘hair of the dog’. The only thing that can save you now is proper hydration. And, while water is great, some hangovers call for a bit more than just H2O.
Rosemary was actually revered by the Ancient Greeks as a medicine to improve circulation and enhance memory — two things that could certainly do with a boost after a night on the post-lockdown town. Time to rely on the same alchemy that worked wonders on the shores of the Mediterranean all those centuries ago: and to top it off, this cure-all goodness is bottled up in incredibly aesthetically pleasing packaging. Bottoms up!
Have we got you started on a track to self-improvement? These are the best luxury workout machines to invest in for your home gym…
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