Let’s face it, none of us want to start the New Year with a hangover, but sometimes it just happens. All that champagne adds up and after a long night of partying you can wake up to a pretty miserable situation. Not only do we feel awful with a hangover, we usually don’t look our best either. Fortunately, there are a few things we can do to make ourselves look and feel a little better, even during hangovers that are so bad we actually vow to never drink again.
Too much alcohol can result in dehydration, which can lead to headaches, nausea, and several other uncomfortable symptoms. So, it’s pretty simple, if you don’t want a terrible hangover, try to stay hydrated before and after your party, and maybe even sneak in a few glasses of water in between cocktails. Another easy tip is to eat before you start drinking since the food in your stomach will make the alcohol break down more slowly which makes life a little bit easier the next day.
Of course, this is all easier said than done. If you wake up with a pounding headache and no recollection of your last sip of water, there are still some things you can do. Gatorade, Pedialyte, or anything else with electrolytes is ideal since it will replace the electrolytes and fluids you lost while drinking. Pedialyte has caught onto its popularity among hungover adults and just released Sparkling Rush Powder Packs so you can feel a little more sophisticated while nursing a hangover. If the electrolytes don’t help with your headache, aspirin can help, but avoid acetaminophen since it could cause liver damage.
If your hangover symptoms include nausea, ginger tea could be beneficial. But if you’re craving greasy and fatty foods, it’s okay to indulge. Some people think foods like pizza and ramen help relieve hangover symptoms because the grease coats your stomach. Another indulgent tactic is to just drink again. Drinks like bloody marys may help you feel a little bit better, especially since the tomato juice could help replenish your body with some vitamins.
Alcohol, dehydration, and lack of sleep take a serious toll on our bodies, and it shows. From red, puffy eyes to sallow skin, the visible symptoms of a hangover can make you feel even worse. Since you don’t feel your best during a hangover, it’s good to treat yourself with a hydrating sheet mask or a cooling product, like the Milk Makeup Cooling Water, which uses natural sea minerals and caffeine to decrease puffiness and redness.
Another pesky symptom that occurs after a night out is waking up with tired, bloodshot eyes. It’s a good idea to use eye drops to reduce the redness and irritation, but don’t stop there. To make your eyes look brighter, use white eyeliner on your lower waterline and in the inner corners of your eye. Black liner will look too heavy on your tired eyes, and while it’s okay to skip it altogether, the white may be able to hide some of the redness.
Less is more when it comes to applying makeup while hungover. Since your skin is more dehydrated than normal, apply a moisturizer, then a hydrating BB cream like Tarte’s Amazonian Clay BB Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 20. For serious dark circles that can’t be covered with BB cream alone, Tarte’s Creaseless Concealer provides great coverage without looking too dry or cakey.
To add a little color to your face without overdoing it, the RMS LIP2CHEEK is great. The first ingredient is coconut oil, meaning it will be nourishing to your dehydrated lips and skin. Plus, its unique formula will look nice on all skin types and won’t age you the way powder blush can.
On hungover mornings when you just don’t have the energy to do your hair, dry shampoo will be your best friend. It removes oils and adds lots of volume, and can even extend the life of your blowout. This one by Drybar has a great scent too, which will probably be a good thing after a long night out.
Hopefully your New Year’s Eve celebration won’t result in a painful hangover, but these tips should help in case you have a little too much fun. Worst case scenario you’ll be starting 2019 with pizza and self-care, and who can be mad at that?
by Clare Saxton
cover photo BFA
