Party Season SOS
By Louise Emma Clarke
Founding Editor of The-Beauty-Pages.com
Party season reminds me of Fashion Week – you look forward to it all year, but come out the other side feeling exhausted and looking a little frazzled. So as the parties swing into full gear this festive season, I suggest the following remedies to keep you on your feet…
SPOTS AND BLEMISHES
The Problem: An active social life usually means an active makeup bag – and if you are piling on the makeup every evening, there’s going to be some kind of effect on your skin. The result is often blocked pores, shiny skin, blackheads, and spots – so how do you get to January without sacrificing your usually perfect complexion?
The Solution: It sounds obvious, but the key to staying blemish-free is to remove your makeup religiously every night – even the latest nights, when all you want to do is kick off your stilettos and collapse into bed. Keep a pack of Klorane Make Up Remover Wipes, £5.60, on your bedside table for those moments – and try to find the time to exfoliate at least once a week, which sloughs away dead skin and keeps pores unblocked. I like Caudalie Gentle Buffing Cream, £16.70, which is suitable for even sensitive skin.
SORE, ACHING FEET
The Problem: Wearing high-heels puts the balls of your feet under a lot of pressure, especially if you aren’t used to wearing them. And if you are a fan of dancing (and lets face it, there’s going to be no shortage of opportunities over the next few weeks), you may be hobbling home with toes pinching, ankles aching, and heels bruised too.
The Solution: I’m not suggesting that you head home early to do it, but a weekly foot soak will pamper and revive aching soles. Crabtree & Evelyn La Source Sea Foam Foot Soak, £9.60, will smooth away roughness and soften hard skin to leave feet looking smooth and conditioned. Once dry, pamper feet with an application of Clarins Foot Beauty Cream, £16, which nourishes and soothes skin. And when it’s time to strap on those stilettos once again, invest in a pair of soft gel cushions for your shoes (available in all high street chemists).
DARK UNDER-EYE CIRCLES
The Problem: Combining late nights with early mornings back at your desk is exhausting – and after a month of partying, it will start to show in your face. Under eye circles and puffiness are common, but how do you prevent them (or if all else fails, cover them up)?
The Solution: The solution to this problem is cooling eye products, which will reduce the appearance of dark circles and reduce puffiness. Best used the morning after, I like to leave the products in the fridge overnight so they are even more cooling when they are applied. Try Vichy Aqualia Antiox Anti-Fatigue Ice-Effect Stick, £14.50 – and then pick a brightening concealer to disguise remaining darkness, such as Stila Brighten and Correct Concealer, £18.
DAMAGED, OVER-STYLED HAIR
The Problem: Regularly curling, straightening, and blow-drying locks before those festive parties is liable to leave it feeling dry, with visible split ends. As the month goes on, hair becomes more difficult to control and style – until you are left with lank, dull, brittle locks as the calendar flicks over to 2012.
The Solution: Another simple solution here – always use a heat protector spray before styling your locks and you will notice a huge difference in the condition of your hair. Tigi Catwalk Sleek Mystique Haute Iron Spray, £7.25, will protect up to 232’C and has a lightweight formula that doesn’t weigh down your hair. It’s also worth making time for a weekly conditioning mask, which will ensure your hair has its usual condition and shine – Schwarzkopf Professional Essensity Repair Mask, £9.35, is ideal.
