Monday's Beauty Bits: How to look alive when you feel undead

Feeling hungover?

I got the idea for this post from my absolute new favourite Makeup Guru Lisa Eldridge. I work pretty hard and as a result, for my sanity, I do tend to play pretty hard. Over time I've amassed a few ideas which help me look alive the morning after a night on the town. As proof that this works, I've had compliments on how "fresh" I look at 8am when I've tumbled into bed slightly tiddly at 3am the night before. Now if only I could find a way to FEEL as good.

Before going to sleep
This is where self-control really kicks in because if you can do ALL this before going to bed you'll look and feel much much better the next day.

1. Drink as much water as you can hold - hangovers are the result of toxins and dehydration so DRIIINK!
2. Have a shower - it gives you a few precious minutes extra the next morning and also helps sober you up.
3. Don't go to bed drunk - seriously. Eat eggs (new one I've heard recently),  shower, drink water, staying up that extra hour sobering up helps you more the next morning that going straight to bed. 
4. Take off ALL your makeup - hurrah for cleansing oils!

The next morning

1. If you didn't the night before, take a shower. For the love of God. 
2. Drink lots of water and pop some Panadol if you have a headache.
3. I like to sip a large cup of coffee with some sort of eye mask on. If I don't have one handy, depuffing eyegel with cotton pads soaked in cold water over the eyes also work great. 
4. Slap on an exfoliating mask if you have oily skin or a "refreshing hydrating" mask if you have dry skin while you're sipping that coffee too. (Edit: Be careful not to terrify aging parents)

Makeup

Hopefully your skin is less ashy and your eye bags have shrunk by now. Due to shaky hands and a pounding head I tend to like to keep this part relatively simple. 

1. Add some illuminating cream, powder or gel to your foundation and layer it on lightly with extra coverage on spots if needed. 
2. While tempting, don't lay on undereyeconcealer with a trowel. Apply as normal, and dust a matte white shadow VERY LIGHTLY over (I like Bobbi Brown's Navajo)with a fluffy blender brush. You’ll be surprised how well this works if you don’t overdo it and get the reverse racoon. 
3. Keep eyes fresh and simple. I prefer to use lighter, almost nude shades with shimmer under the brow bone but not really on the lid (in case its puffy and this magnifies things). I also use a little eyeliner, darkening it in the corners, curl my lashes and really lash on the mascara. 
4. Nothing makes you look quite as fresh as pink blush and lips. If you’re cooler choose a blue-pink if you’re warmer toned use a peachier shade. It’s good if they’re slightly shimmery. Dust on the blush maybe just a bit brighter than you normally would and pop on the matching lippy. I personally love Posietint for both eyes and lips – it’s my secret weapon. 
5. Smile, and try not to hang your head and groan – unless you want the office to know you’ve had a marvelous night out. ;)

Here's Lisa Eldridge's tips. She's got some amazing ideas that I'm gonna try out!