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Take time out and find some inspiration

Not the 21st December, silly. That’s the shortest day. What I’m talking about is the day you have to spend at work after over-indulging on a Christmas night out. Now, I’m not advocating binge drinking by any means. But surely we’ve all had one of those days when, thanks to one (bottle of) Bailey’s too many the night before, looking – and feeling – respectable the next day has proved rather tricky.

I’m not preaching: I’m no stranger to a hangover. In fact, I’ve had the whole range. The type when a diet coke and a bacon sandwich sort you out for the rest of the day. The sort when you make it into work, but then have to go and lie down in the toilets. And last but not least, the ones when – and yes, this actually happened – you are found by your other half face-down on the bedroom floor in your underwear, clutching a frying pan and a broken alarm clock. In answer to your next question, I don’t know.

As a reluctant expert, I thought it was only fair to share with you some beauty tips that will help you get through any of the aforementioned types of hangover. OK, maybe not the third…

• Even in our new, smoke-free world, your hair will probably still stink. Not of smoke, more of just yuck, if you know what I mean. If you can’t wash it, try leaving it loose in the shower and letting the steam sort it. Or spray on Umberto Giannini’s Instant Beauty Makeover Spray (£4.88) or James Brown Hair Reviving Dry Shampoo (£5.99), which can make ‘three day old hair look freshly washed’.
• Spritz on something fabulous. But choose an alcohol-free formulation or you could be reliving the last tequila of the night, which is no good in a board meeting. Try Philosophy’s Inner Grace Body Spritz (£22), or good old Eau Dynamisante by Clarins (£23.98).
• Sort out your eyes – they are such a giveaway when it comes to hangovers. Optrex Red Eyes Drops (£4.10) and a coat of mascara are a good quick fix, but don’t use anything too glam or you’ll end up looking like you haven’t been home. Choose Clinique’s Naturally Glossy Mascara (£13.21) or Ruby and Millie’s Mascara (£11.50).
• You might need some extra help with your complexion, which is more likely to look grey and toxic than peachy, let’s be honest. Smooth on some Nivea Visage Sunkissed Skin Day Cream (£6.65) when you get up, and it will have started warming up your skin tone by your first meeting.
• Get out the lip gloss. I don’t mean some kind of Victoria Beckham-esque slime that gets bits of hair, food, even litter stuck to it. What I’m talking about is something you can slick on with your finger, and that will instantly make you look made-up – and prettier – even if you don’t have any other make-up on. Clinique’s new Vitamin C Lip Smoothie Antioxidant Lip Colour (£13.50) has a handy touche-éclat-style felt tip applicator and will also moisturise dehydrated mouths. Or try Jemma Kidd’s Rosy Glow Lip and Cheek Tint (£19.57 from Space NK), which you can use to put a bit of colour into your cheeks with too.

With any luck you’ll feel better after all that. If not, at least you’ll look better. Now all you need to do is order that bacon sandwich and wait until 5 o’clock…

Read more on Eleanor’s blog, Product Placement.

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