Banish that holiday beauty hangover
by Carolyn Brundage

From too much turkey to one too many merry martinis, holidays brim with temptations to overindulge. And while the lucky amongst us may listen to the angels of moderation, for many of us, devilish desires triumph. Meaning that by Monday, we’ve got some detoxification to do.

Holiday hangovers are caused by a myriad of sins, from overeating to overdrinking to general overindulging. We’re not suggesting that a girl can’t have any fun, but there’s a difference between living the good life and just plain living hard. Mix an ounce of prevention with a dash of common sense and you can celebrate the season and still look fabulous.

Manage the risk of holiday beauty hangovers daily by loading up on water and sticking to your exercise routine. These two simple steps will assure that whether you hit the buffet table with too much gusto or ring in “last call,” salvation is always just a day away.

Some women think that because alcohol doesn’t have any fat, it isn’t fattening. Not so, dolls. Alcohol is metabolized as fat meaning not only will overconsumption lead to weight gain; it will also increase your appetite.  So practice moderation, and when you do drink, opt for wine over mixed drinks. (The average Green Apple Martini is said to weigh in at a whopping 600 calories!)

Drinking and dining is also a must. Opt for a low fat protein paired with greens, think broccoli, leafy salad, or asparagus. The antioxidants in the greens protect cells from free-radical damage while the lean protein helps create a feeling of fullness. 

When you’ve simply gone too far, slap yourself on the wrist and move on. Everyone make mistakes and while you’re sure to spend the next 24 hours paying for yours, the world doesn’t have to share your pain.

The key to looking great, despite feeling awful, is avoiding heavy foundations and concealers- they’ll only call attention to under eye bags and puffiness.  Too much of a good thing is what got you into this predicament in the first place! 

Apply a light diffusing powder such as Lola Cosmetics PearlLUMINOUS Brightening & Light Diffusing Powder; $35 at Makeup.com. This mineral based makeup is crafted partially of real crushed pearls that help even out skin tones and bring life to dull skin.

Tone down redness in eyes that haven’t seen enough sleep with Visine followed by an application of BeneFit Eye Bright, a pink toned pick-me-up liner for eyes that brighten eyes and gives the appearance of well-rested peepers; $18 at Benefitcosmetics.com

And when your partying ways take you right from partying hard to hardly working, Bed Head’s After-Party Smoothing Cream controls fly-aways and smoothes those tangled tresses, meaning your hair will never give away your wild ways. Now if only your best friend was as discreet.