THE ACCESSORIES
Of course, there's no real shame in looking like you're coming home from a sleepover, but you also probably don't want to be cursing a pair of expensive pumps while hailing a cab or rummaging for keys. As a preventative measure, carry a pair of convertible ballet flats-preferably ones that come with their own sleek carrying clutch. A pair of black-out sunglasses hides bloodshot eyes from coffee shop cashiers, and lets you avoid eye contact and potential run-ins with one-time acquaintances (who always seem to make appearances at these opportune moments). Finally, a printed scarf allows you to cover up whatever worn tee you end up throwing on your way out, or even tie up an unruly updo.
FLARE picks: Damn Heels classic black flats, $35, damnheels.com, Illesteva round-frame sunglasses, $165, matchesfashion.com, Weston silk scarf, $325, net-a-porter.com.
TIDY TOUCH-UP
As much as you might want to slink out the door, there's a good chance your friends (or date) might drag you to breakfast. Rather than join them with matted hair and mascara-induced under eye circles (hard to pull off without French lineage), supplement the gaps in your routine with what they have in their own bathroom and make up for the rest with a little foresight.u00a0Make-up eraser sticks are loaded with eye makeup remover, which you can use with the cotton swab ends to shape last night's eyeshadow into a smoky eye. Similarly, bringing along wrapped cleansing wipes for your face beats toting around a bottle of cleanser (or not washing your face at all!).
Rather than shoving your hair into a top knot with an elastic from the bottom of your bag, wrap it up with a sleek leather hair tie. Don't forget to throw in a mini toothbrush, because in 2013, do you really want to be brushing your teeth with your finger?
FLARE picks: Almay Makeup Eraser Sticks, $6, well.ca, Philosophy Purity Made Simple One-Step Cleansing Cloths, $20, thebay.com, Asos leather hair tie, $11, asos.com, Scope Outlast MiniBrush, $3, drugstore.com
BATHROOM BEAUTY BASICS
Assuming your host doesn't have an extensive beauty stash of their own, there are still products you can use in a pinch that can be found in virtually any bathroom. Before passing out, a dab of facial moisturizer or lotion can be used as a makeup remover-be sure to lightly massage around your eye area to completely remove mascara and eyeliner without stinging.u00a0 As much as showering is the absolute last thing you want to do the morning after a long night, a bathroom-wide staple like a grainy exfoliant will help brighten up your complexion and make you feel less sluggish come morning when used in the shower alongside a zingy body wash. If you want to forgo shampoo in favour of washing your hair once you (finally) get home, a pinch of baby powder massaged into your roots will soak up overnight grease.
FLARE picks: Burt's Bees Extra Energizing Citrus and Ginger Root Body Wash, $10, burtsbees.ca, Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream, $24, St. Ives Apricot Scrub, $5, Johnson's Baby Powder, $5, at mass retailers.
SLEEPOVER STEALS
Even in the case that the host of your sleepover is (a) of a different size than you or (b) has a style completely separate from your own; there are sure to be a few universally wearable pieces when it comes time to make your way home. Look for oversized, well-worn denim shirts and button-downs or silky, slinky worn-in tees; best teamed up with a leather belt, knotted at the waist. Throw on a wide-rim ball cap and sunglasses (in the case that you don't have your own), and make one of your resolutions to return your borrowed pieces ASAP.
FLARE picks: J. Crew keeper chambray shirt, $92, jcrew.com, Kenzo x New Era fitted cap, $60, openingceremony.us, The Row leather gradient sunglasses, $550, mytheresa.com.
MEET THE MEDICINE CABINET
There's nothing quite like waking up in a somewhat-stranger's house to make you desperate for a quick-fix regimen remedy. In the case that you stumble into a bathroom empty of even the most basic beauty products, you can always turn to the medicine cabinet before heading out the door. After downing a few ibuprofen yourself, crush up a few tablets and mix with a few drops of water into a paste for the ultimate acne mask. Eye drops also instantly remove the redness from any blemishes, and you can get a head start on your resolutions and brighten teeth (red wine can do quite the number on them) by brushing up with baking soda from the fridge.
MULTI-PURPOSE MAGIC
When you pack your cosmetics for the night, don't forget to consider the items you'll need after an overnight stay. Focus on multi-purpose products that will help you look bright-eyed the fastest. When it comes to keeping your complexion from reflecting how you probably feel after your night out, bronzer is best; or alternately, try a glossy balm that can be applied to lips, cheekbones, eyelashes and even dry patches on skin. For long-lasting, low-effort impact, try a bright stain that can be applied to both lips and cheeks, and an eyelash curler to open up your eyes. Finally, an ultra-blendable concealer with a creamy consistency will help disguise both dark shadows and blemishes and is can easily be dabbed on with fingers.
FLARE picks: NARS Bronzing Powder, $39, narscosmetics.com, Smith's Rosebud Salve, $7, sephora.com, Benefit Cosmetics Fine One-One Sheer Colour, $30, benefitcosmetics.com, Tweezerman classic eyelash curler, $10, Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer, $30, murale.ca.
THE GREAT ESCAPE
When it comes time to make your morning getaway, have a few apps at the ready to help you navigate the best way home. Use Uber's app or text your address and city to UBR-CAB (827-222) for your own personal driver from Uber-they'll text you upon arrival, meaning no waiting on the cold sidewalk for a cab or car. Similarly, Hailo and Beck Taxi have recently launched apps that allow you to order a cab with instant location updates. Finally, for those planning their trek via public transit, NextBus offers instantly updated times and stops for most major transit systems. Voila-your walk of shame just became a little less literal.
REPAIR & RESTORE
After finally making your way home, you're probably ready to get around to fulfilling some of your more... indulgent New Years resolutions. Renew skin with a soothing resurfacing mask with all-natural ingredients, and while you're at it, work in a repairing hair treatment that reverses breakage and masks split ends. After actually finding your way home, you deserve to take the time to greet the new year properly, right?
FLARE picks: Tata Harper Skincare Resurfacing Mask, $55, tataharperskincare.com, Frederic Fekkai Protein Anti-Breakage Treatment Mask, $37, ebeauty.ca.
More from FLARE:
- Celebrity Hair How-To
- 10 Commandments of Winter Beauty
- The Best Celebrity Hair Makeovers of 2012
- How To Grow Out a Pixie Cut Gracefully, à la Anne Hathaway
- Beauty Decoder: The Braided Crown
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