As your social life opens up a little more, you may be hungover for the first time in a while. It’s understandable – we can all get a little overexcited after not seeing our pals for such a long time. And although hangovers are rough, that doesn’t mean you have to look it. A few well-chosen skincare and makeup items can lift you out of the hangover headspace. You’ll be able to fool the world as you truly did have “just one, thanks.”
Start With a Good Cleanser
Cleansing is always important, but even more so after a heavy night. I love the Charlotte Tilbury Goddess Cleansing Ritual for a really deep clean. The balmy oil is lemon-scented for maximum refreshment. Also, the charcoal portion has a luxurious-feeling foam that deeply purifies any potentially blocked pores.
If your skin is looking a little worse for wear, I’d follow with the Tula Deep Exfoliating Blackhead Scrub. This helps lift off any dead skin cells to brighten and smooth skin. It’s also great for nipping any potential breakouts in the bud – because we all know alcohol can wreak havoc otherwise.
For mornings when you have a little extra time, an exfoliating treatment like the Frank Body Brightening Vitamin C Mask can work wonders. But if you’re on a time crunch, an acid-based toner can give a similar effect in seconds. I absolutely adore the Inkey List PHA Toner, which feels incredibly gentle but gives skin a smooth, clear, glass-like finish from the very first use.
Your Complexion Shouldn’t Be Hungover Too
Many of us suffer from a ruddy complexion after a night on the ale. So a colour-correcting moisturizer like the Skinceuticals Redness Neutralizer is perfect. It also sits really well under makeup. And if you fancy adding a little extra colour, the Tula Face Filter Blurring & Moisturising Primer is amazing. It feels like a thin, lightweight lotion, but on contact with the skin turns a beautiful golden shade which helps even out skin tone and keeps you looking glowing and healthy – in spite of how you may actually feel.
Keep It Simple
In terms of hangover makeup, keeping things simple is key. No one has time for a full routine when hands are shaky, and you just want to sit still. A lightweight base can help everything feel a little more put together. The Ilia Beauty Super Serum Skint Tint is a current favourite. It offers glow, medium coverage, and an impressive SPF of 40. I’m also loving the Nudestix Nudies Tinted Cover for a barely-there coverage that just makes skin look “naturally” perfect.
Adding a hint of colour to the cheeks can help liven up a dull, grey, tired complexion, and it doesn’t get any easier than the Milk Beauty Lip + Cheeks. The shade Werk, a mid-toned nude pink, suits pretty much every skin tone and gives just enough dimension and rosiness without looking obvious.
Groomed brows and a slick of mascara can make even the most exhausted face look neater and more polished. The West Barn Co Soap Brows is perfect for a natural, fluffy look that lasts all day, while the L’Oreal Paris Miss Baby Roll Mascara is a new favourite for giving long, fluttery lashes that never look clumpy.
How to Distract From a Hungover Face
Another helpful hint to distract from a hungover face is adding something bright and unexpected on the eye. I absolutely adore the Huda Beauty Obsessions Palettes for this. They come in a range of bright tones (Neon Green and Neon Orange are my top choices), and the pressed pigments can be slicked on with a finger for easy application.
Lips are probably feeling dry and parched, so a balm is likely the way to go. The Indeed Labs Hydraluron Volumizing Lip Treatment is a great one, offering a non-sticky but slightly shiny finish that protects and enhances all day long.
My final hangover tips are perhaps a little offbeat. First, add some oil to the hair! If you don’t have time to wash and blow-dry, ensuring flyaways are in check and hair is shining is a quick fix. I love the Boucleme Revive 5 Hair Oil, which tames and adds gloss while also nourishing hair to keep it healthy.
Last but certainly not least, put on some perfume. Fragrances can help lift your mood and keep you feeling fresh – or at least fresher. The Bjork & Berries Solstice Eau de Parfum is currently on high rotation for me – hangover or no hangover. It’s floral but still fresh with a heavy hint of rejuvenating orange blossom. But for something uber refreshing, I’d go instead for Heretic Parfum’s Dirty Lemon. This is truly mouth-watering – sour but also sweet and packed with enough citrus to blow any cobwebs away.
Shop The Edit
Charlotte Tilbury Goddess Cleansing Ritual
Tula Deep Exfoliating Blackhead Scrub
Frank Body Brightening Vitamin C Mask
Inkey List PHA Toner
Skinceuticals Redness Neutralizer
Tula Face Filter Blurring & Moisturising Primer
Ilia Beauty Super Serum Skint Tint
Nudestix Nudies Tinted Cover
Milk Beauty Lip + Cheeks
West Barn Co Soap Brows
L’Oreal Paris Miss Baby Roll Mascara
Huda Beauty Obsessions Palettes
Indeed Labs Hydraluron Volumizing Lip Treatment
Boucleme Revive 5 Hair Oil
Bjork & Berries Solstice Eau de Parfum
Heretic Parfum’s Dirty Lemon
