Skin Deep with Samantha Altea

Post-Party Pick Ups

‘Tis the season to party, party, party… but what do all those late nights, alcohol, and rich foods have to do with your gorgeous face and body? And what’s the point of the next party when you look as if you’ve done ten rounds with Mike Tyson? Plus, how about that hot date you made for the day after a black tie, the one where you didn’t get home until 4 a.m. and dare I say it, where you might just have had one too many cocktails? How does one embrace the festivities all holiday season long and still look and feel good?

After a hard day’s night, with lots of fun, (read lots of everything that’s bad for you) it takes a little work and a couple tricks in order to look just as good as you did the night before……and the night before that. First, before falling into bed post-party, be sure to drink plenty of water to get re-hydrated. Also the day after – gobs of H20 is key to feeling and looking better.

Starting with the eyes……morning-after puffiness, redness, tired looking eyes are the worst. After all, they are the windows to your soul and who wants to go to a holiday party when you can’t see the real you because of rough looking windows?

Before going to your next shin-dig, try Bremenn research Labs Hylexin if you have serious dark circles from the nights before – it’s a unique product specifically developed for major dark under eyes, $95. For boys specifically, Eyes On The Rocks, $21 from Nickel is also a cool mask that you pop in the fridge and then place on your eyes, take five and you’re good to go. Lotus Eye gel, $48 from Fresh helps with puffiness, dark circles and signs of fatigue, too. Of course, old-fashioned remedies like cucumber and tea bags on the eyes are always worth a try as well.

Once you’ve spent the day reviving your eyes with product, you can also use a couple of tricks with make-up to make yourself look a little more bright eyed. Wear white eyeliner inside your eye to look more awake. Navy mascara has a similar effect.

After the eyes, there is general skin well being to think about. After plenty of good times, your skin can look worse for wear. Remove make-up before going to sleep to give skin time to breath and be sure to moisturize moisturize, and moisturize. Stay away from coffee and cigarettes, which will only dull the skin even more.

Guys could try a morning-after rescue shaker, $35 Nickel With, Morning After Rescue Gel, Super Clean Face, Eye Contour Lift. Gals, you can also try using Bliss Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Mask, $52 for lackluster skin. It releases oxygen into your dermis, so your complexion is instantly brighter, fresher, and younger-looking. Then, after tons of holiday foods, alcohol and the likes, many of us break out. So if you do have the famed Mario Badescu drying potion on hand at all times.

All the kissing done during the holiday season can also take its toll on your lips, from kissing great Aunt Flo for the hand knitted scarf she made you, to kissing under the mistletoe. So when you have some time off, get your smackers around some philosophy Kiss Exfoliating Lip Scrub $15. It’s ideal for renewing and reviving over-used lips and makes them supple and smooth so you can use them when called upon to do so.

Hot brushes, blow dryers, teasing etc., strips the goodness out of your hair and so look into the incredible range of Kerastase products. They have something for every hair ailment imaginable.

Finally, all the dancing, standing and shaking hands this season can play havoc with your hands and feet. First, take advantage of this year’s shoe trend and wear wedge or platform shoes. They are chic and so much more comfortable. Evening flats are even a go at the moment. But if your feet still feel like you can’t possibly stand on them for another event, then try Bliss softening sock salve for $26, and Bliss softening socks. And for tired, over-used hands, Clarins Hand and Nail Treatment cream for $28, will give your hands a treat.

This holiday season you should party hard, love, live and be happy, but remember to take care of yourself, too. Make a little bit of time for you.

Happy holidays and have a glorious, glamorous new year to come!