Morning-after skin rescue

It might have been fun at the time, but hangovers can wreck hell on your skin. Combat the damage with Eve Cameron's great tips

If you're waking up finding Dorothy Parker's quip 'one more drink and I'd have been under the host' could have been written for you, chances are you don't look too great either. It is a sad fact of life that just as hangovers last longer when you're over 30, your face takes longer to get back to normal too. Short of totally eschewing the party season, and, accepting the likelihood of at least some late nights, if not one too many glasses of a killer cocktail, here are some tricks to pull out when you want to look better fast.

Polish and pamper

Treat morning after dullness with exfoliation says Guinot's, Lisa Padmore. Removing dead skin cells boosts radiance and it also means your skin is more receptive to active ingredients in products you apply afterwards. If you have been drinking alcohol your skin is likely to be dehydrated, so Lisa suggests giving yourself an intensive moisture boost by using a layer of hydrating serum, such as Guinot's Serum Hydra Beaute, £47.50 (you only need a few drops), under a brightening or hydrating face mask.

If you smoke or have been in a smoky atmosphere go for a serum rich in anti-oxidants, which mop up damage created by free radicals (unstable molecules) generated by and present in cigarette smoke. Or try The Superfood Antioxidant Masque, £14.99 www.skinshop.co.uk or call 0871 871 9975. Give yourself an intensive moisture boost by using a layer of hydrating serum under a brightening or hydrating face mask

Brighten up

As vitamin C is a great anti-oxidant (which minimises the damage caused not only by smoke but also by UV, stress and alcohol), she also recommends using a vitamin-C containing moisturiser which will replenish and brighten skin. Try Nivea Visage Age Reversal Intense Rejuvenating Cream, £14.99. Alternatively fake a healthier glow with Garnier's Summerface 12 hour Moisturising Cream, £5.99, which has a hint of self tan.

De-puff your eyes

As well as lack of sleep, excess alcohol and water retention, puffiness around the eyes can be due to poor circulation. Try these simple pressure point movements suggested by skincare experts Clarins, which help increase the flow of blood and oxygen to the eye area:

Place the middle fingers of both hands side by side in the dip above the bridge of the nose between the brows and apply gentle pressure for 4 to 5 seconds.
With the ring or middle fingers on the browbone (at the inner corner of the eyes just before the brow starts) apply gentle pressure for 4 to 5 seconds and then slide your fingers outwards just below the brows, repeating the pressure at four regular intervals, working to the end of the brows.
Repeat the same technique working outwards on the bone underneath each eye.

You could also try chilling two spoons in the freezer and placing them over your eyelids for a couple of minutes or gently stroking ice cubes over the area – the cold constricts the blood vessels and helps to stimulate the circulation.

Look-less-tired makeup tricks

Do try a skin-luminising base under your foundation. Light reflective particles and tiny colour pigments can brighten the skin, tone down redness or sallowness and give you a rosy glow. Yves Saint Laurent, Givenchy and By Terry (stocked at SpaceNK) have a good selection. Or just opt for radiance-boosting foundation. Bobbi Brown's new Luminous Moisturizing Foundation, £26, instantly moisturises your skin and makes you look more glowing, plus it contains hexapeptide technology to boost natural collagen production and so firm the skin with regular use.

Don't use lots of dark eyeshadow as this will only make you look more tired. Very bright colours tend to emphasise dark under-eye shadows too. Keep your eyeshadow neutral (creams, oatmeal, beige, taupe for example) and great if it has a subtle shimmer as it will play with the light, making eyes a little more sparkly. Curling your lashes before applying mascara will also work to open up the eye area, though Estee Lauder's Illusionist Intense maximum Curling Mascara, £17, does the job on its own.

Do put some colour back into your cheeks. Avoid browns as these can just make your skin look muddy. A pop of pinky or apricot blush right on the apples of your cheeks will bring your complexion to life and make your eyes look brighter too. Try Maybelline New York Dream Mousse Blush, £5.99, in four easy-to-blend shades.