If you walked into work today feeling like you weren't quite sure how you'd get through the day, left a faint whiff of shame in the lift or even attempted Christmas shopping only to have to lie down in the nearest changing room, you're not alone. As parties rage in this week before Christmas, chances are you're one of the unfortunate souls suffering with a doom-inducing hangover. Of course, it's self-inflicted. But that doesn't make it any more pleasant.
While I would obviously recommend drinking responsibly, if you have had one too many glasses of unidentifiable 'punch', your skin, hair and general person may be left in need of some old-fashioned TLC. Whether your hair is feeling a bit limp, your eyes are feeling puffy or your skin feels drier than last year's turkey, there is a beauty product to help.
I'm not suggesting that any of these will cure your hangover – if that were true, it would quite clearly be a Christmas miracle. But they may just make you feel a little bit better. At this point, that's really all we can hope for.
Best Beauty Products To Help With A Hangover
1 of 10ASOS, Bobbi Brown Supersized Vitamin Enriched Face Base, £62
This is an excellent base for makeup on any day but, when hungover, this feels like a dream. It's packed with vitamins, feels refreshing on skin when you first apply and will combat any feeling of dryness. It also smells delicious.
2 of 10Avène, Thermal Water Spray, £3.37
Wherever you are, whatever you're doing, be sure to take a little can of this with you. Just as you start to feel clammy and a bit sick, spritz your face with this magic water and you'll instantly feel refreshed. It's not magic, of course. But it feels like it.
3 of 10Westlab, Reviving Epsom Salts, £14.99
Try to have a warm bath with some Epsom salts. The whole procedure will require far less effort than actually standing upright in a shower, while the salts help to improve circulation. Just don't make the bath too hot – heat is not a hangover's friend.
4 of 10Hershesons, Almost Everything Cream, £10
I first wrote about my love for this product when it saved me from heatwave-induced frizz in the summer. Now, it's helping to restore volume and texture to my hangover hair (A Thing, trust me). You can use it to boost shine, smooth flyaways, define curls – it's an all-in-one wonder product, and it's only a tenner.
5 of 10Patchology, FlashPatch Rejuvenating Eye Gels (5 pairs), £14
Sometimes, it just feels like to put something cold on your hungover face. Even better, put something cold on your face that will also work to reduce puffiness, refresh dry skin and brighten your complexion. That's exactly what these under-eye patches will do, making you look as if you've had a very sensible night's sleep.
6 of 10Clinique,Redness Solutions Soothing Cleanser, £19
Alcohol can leave skin prone to redness and, in some cases, irritation. Wash your face with this the morning-after before you do anything else – it will clean any impurities from your skin, plus it works to combat any signs of redness, while maintaining moisture balance.
7 of 10Charlotte Tilbury, Magic Away Concealer, £24
For any dark circles or blemishes, this will be your best friend. The roll-on applicator is particularly useful for reaching the under-eye contours and nobody will ever know you've only had two hours of sleep...
8 of 10Origins, Drink Up® 10 Minute Hydrating Mask with Apricot & Swiss Glacier Water, £22
This is a bit like downing a pint of water, but make it skin. While you're trying to get ready for whatever you may have to face with your hangover, apply this mask to your skin, leave for 10 minutes and then wash off. Your face will instantly feel more hydrated, while nourishing ingredients like vitamins A and E will help you feel fresh.
9 of 10Glossier, Perfecting Skin Tint, £20
The idea of applying makeup is vaguely terrifying in a hungover state. So, instead of opting for serious foundations or anything too fiddly, Glossier's Skin Tint will make you look and feel better without the faff. It's sheer, breathable and just brightens up skin to make it look less, well, hungover.
10 of 10L'Oréal Paris Color Riche Matte Addiction Lipstick in Haute Rouge, £6.99
If all else fails, fake it 'til you make it. Whether you have to go into work, face family or simply try and pretend to be a real human, a slick of red lipstick will fool anyone into thinking you're cool, calm and collected. Just keep the rest of any other makeup to a minimum, otherwise you might look like you just haven't removed anything from the night before.