Partying until daybreak, flying the red eye, cramming all night for an exam — these are just a few reasons for skimping on beauty sleep. And rarely in these circumstances is there the luxury of taking the next day off to nurse oneself back to happy, radiant wellness. No, life often requires suiting up for work, school or something as nerve-racking as the first meeting with the significant other's family.
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All-nighter fix-it
To liven up your look after a night of travel or revelry, try these.
After dancing the night away, restoration tools aid the complexion. (Ethan Miller / Getty Images )
But there are ways to minimize the pain. Or at the very least, to fake it by looking fabulous through the magic of makeup or by having a restorative treatment.
Minimize damage
If your all-nighter involves alcoholic beverages, try drinking water alongside your cocktails. Order clear liquor, such as vodka or gin, rather than red wine, whisky, bourbon or anything too sugary. And eat before you drink. These steps can all reduce your chance of a hangover, sleep experts say. If the damage is already done, drink water or electrolyte drinks the morning after and eat eggs (they break down acetaldehyde, the toxin released by the liver during a hangover).
Dr. Daniel Norman, a Harvard-trained sleep expert who is on staff at the California Health and Longevity Institute in Westwood, says if you're on a red-eye or have jet lag, don't drink alcohol, which will interrupt sleep. He recommends using a sleep eye mask, trying jet-lag bright light therapy and adjusting to local time by staying active if it's daytime in your arrival time zone. Drink water and be generous with moisturizer.
Restore and energize
The Hangover Helper, $75; Hangover Makeover, $85, and After Party Detoxifying Facial, $120 at Nite Spa
1301 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice
nitespa.com, (310) 396-5122
This cozy, eclectic bungalow of a beauty spot is pure hippie-chic Venice on a strip known for its night life. It's open until midnight, so you don't have to wait until morning to start the recovery process. The Hangover Helper features massage and reflexology, pressure point detox for feet and scalp, a neck and shoulder rub replete with relaxing lavender essential oil and other soothing, detoxifying and antioxidant-packed ingredients. The Hangover Makeover repairs morning-after problem areas via a facial or makeup application. The After Party for jet lag and late-night revelers releases toxins and rejuvenates.
Sonya Dakar Hangover Facial, $250
9975 Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills
sonyadakarskinclinic.com (310) 553-7344
This skin-care rehab works to erase signs of a distressed (and alcohol-saturated) complexion by brightening, detoxing and depuffing skin to restore glow and evenness. "If you're throwing up the morning after, your skin is going through the same trauma too," Dakar says.
Jet Lag Recovery: Long Haul at the Peninsula Beverly Hills, $325
9882 S. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills
peninsula.com/beverlyhills (310) 975-2854
A facial and eye treatment using holistic products followed by a face, neck and shoulder massage is designed to reverse the ravages of "travel trauma," improve circulation and lymphatic flow, soothe a stressed nervous system and reenergize.
The Punta Mita Tequila Massage at the Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills, $170
300 S. Doheny Drive, Los Angeles
fourseasons.com/losangeles (310) 273-2222
Although it seems counterintuitive, this massage was specially designed to relieve jet lag. The tequila and sage are said to have antiseptic, cleansing properties to improve circulation and relieve fatigue.
Dtoxygen Facial at Detox Spa, $225
3206 Los Feliz Blvd., Los Angeles
dtoxdayspa.com (323) 665-3869
Oxygen facials can bring to life lackluster, dehydrated skin. This one uses a serum that combines complexion-friendly hyaluronic acid with the antioxidant vitamins A, C and E and green tea.
Kinara Detox Body Wrap, $125
656 N. Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles kinaraspa.com (310) 657-9188
Dry-brushing, detoxifying topicals and a Vichy shower help purge last night's bacchanalian transgressions.
Use at home
Some products to stock up on for an at-home treatment include:
USDA Certified Organic Badger Sleep Balm, $7.85, Magellan's Travel Supplies
Ren Glycolactic Skin Renewal Peel Mask, $55, sephora.com
Bliss Glow-Ho-Ho Radiance-Revving Triple Oxygen Trio, $75, sephora.com
Murad Vitalic Energizing Pomegranate Cleanser, $26, beauty.com
Jack Black Turbo Wash Energizing Cleanser for Hair & Body, $50,
shop.nordstrom.com
USPA Coffee and Sea Kelp Contour Scrub, $54, at Four Seasons Westlake
Ila Body Scrub for Energizing & Detoxifying, $60, spiritbeautylounge.com
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