FESTIVE PARTY SURVIVAL KIT

So the Festive Party Season is upon us and for me that means more socialising, not to mention a busy time at work and therefore burning the candle at both ends. 

Here are my steps to looking and feeling your best over what hopefully will be a fun, but sometimes chaotic time for all of us.

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate…..did I mention hydrate?

For me, if there is anything I can guarantee at this time of year is spots, bloating, dark circles and after a night on the tiles, a beating headache.  All of these can be contributed to by not consuming enough water throughout the day. Alcohol and salty foods can dehydrate the body and in many people’s case, encourage the body to retain what fluid it does have in it, causing bloating.

There is much debate on what exactly causes dark circles under the eyes. Obviously lack of sleep won’t necessarily help, however I was taught that dehydration and also often hereditary factors contribute to dark circles.  By increasing water consumption bloating and dark circles can be reduced, if not eliminated, which is why it is essential to consume six to eight glasses of water per day, a standard tall tumbler glass is a good size. Tea can be included in this but caffeine can contribute to dehydration also, so it is a little like taking two steps forwards and one step back.

Alcohol consumption often increases at this time of year as does the chance of getting the hangover from hell if you are not careful.  In an ideal world, we would all have one soft drink after every alcoholic drink to help replenish some of our fluid. I say I will do this every time I have a big night planned and unfortunately after a glass or two of wine it all goes out the window! Therefore my best advice from experience is to make it essential to sip a pint of water when you get in after a night out and have one by the bed in case you wake in the night.

If you do end up with a sore head, I usually take a couple of painkillers as soon as I wake up whatever time it is if I am suffering and then go back to sleep. I have often eliminated a hangover headache even kicking in by following these steps.

Skincare is King

It is all too easy to flop into bed after a night on the tiles, full face of makeup on and then expect our skin won’t suffer. If you are lucky then it won’t, but most of us won’t have that privilege! Always remove makeup at night. I like Priori Idebenone Facial Cleanser

rrp. £37, which is great for the over thirties. If you are lucky enough to be younger, then they do a great AHA Facial Cleanser rrp £22. Both cleansers work in harmony with your skin and encourage a faster rate of cell turnover, which in turn helps skin look brighter, fresher and blemish free. Available at http://www.skinbrands.co.uk who can also put you in touch with your local Priori Stockists.

I have two eye products on my bathroom shelf at the moment, which I would definitely recommend to help hydrate the delicate under eye skin, anti age, reduce puffiness and dark circles.

The main one I am using at the moment is Boots No7 Protect and Perfect Intense eye cream rrp £17. This has had rave reviews in the press, so far I like it and have had no irritation. I have only been using a few weeks so it is early days.

Another eye product I recently discovered via my Glossybox subscription and it is called Golden Skin Caviar Eye Roll on which is great for the handbag when you need a pick me up.

Have A Great Hair Day!

My must have hair tools this festive season have to be Sleep in rollers http://www.sleepinrollers.com

They are obviously designed to be slept in which I think I tried a grand total of once for the reason they kept me awake and oh god what a passion killer! Jokes aside though I have found other great ways to get texture, bounce and movement into the hair with these in the space of 30 minutes! Best way I have found is to blow dry hair in roller size sections around a round brush to curl the ends under or up dependant on preference, then as the section is dry switch off the dried and put in a roller and move in each section till the hair is dry and fully rollered.

Leave in for at least 30minutes or longer if you have time then remove for bouncy hair Kate Middleton would be 

They are obviously designed to be slept in which I think I tried a grand total of once for the reason they kept me awake and oh god what a passion killer! Jokes aside though I have found other great ways to get texture, bounce and movement into the hair with these in the space of 30 minutes! Best way I have found is to blow dry hair in roller size sections around a round brush to curl the ends under or up dependant on preference, then as the section is dry switch off the dried and put in a roller and move in each section till the hair is dry and fully rollered.

Leave in for at least 30minutes or longer if you have time then remove for bouncy hair Kate Middleton would be envious of!

I will post a more in depth article coming soon on Sleep in Rollers and how I use them for a fuss free quick and easy look.

Finally there is L’oreal Casting Creme Gloss in Berry Red, my favourite shade all round, is great if you fancy some festive red tones in your hair with low commitment. This is such an easy dye to use and it fades over 24 washes. It is much less harsh on hair than permanent dyes and is no ammonia which means for me a more pleasant smell and no watery eyes!

Hope you enjoyed reading my Essentials for the festive party season. I would love to hear other readers festive party essentials too!