Saving face on the 2nd of January

It’s already written: the 2nd of January could easily be the worst Monday of the year. All the more reason to prepare that fateful morning, in order to be the brightest when everybody looks tired, their skin dry and their eyes swollen. Here are a few tips to save face and appearances. Academics are positive: we do look better with sunglasses on. But the morning after New Year’s Eve, when the sun is still in hiding and all your colleagues rushed on the easy solution, the only possibility is to look better than everybody. It’s not that difficult. It will just take some planning.

Stay hydrated

Alcohol shuts off the hormone responsible for telling your kidneys to retain water. So, to answer that old question: it’s not your bladder, it’s the beer. That’s why hangover mornings come with dry mouth. Your body lacks water, vitamins and nutrients: your first stop on the way to grooming heaven is a multi-vitamin cocktail. Fruits are your best allies in order to rebuild your stock. Don’t leave anything to chance and start ahead as soon as you get back from the party and drink as much as you can. Water, that is. Keep a full bottle on your nightstand. Bookies know you’ll wake up thirsty in the middle of the night.

Take care of that pretty face

We know you don’t care much for your morning routine when you get out of that 4 AM uber. But taking the time to cleanse and moisturise will go a long way to make your morning easier. Moreover, your pores are more receptive when not busy fighting off environmental microaggressions.

Take a hot shower upon waking up. Steam will open up your pores and make your scrub more efficient. Wash your hair: they concentrate the worst smells from the night before. Moisturise, again, to stay fresh. If needed, put two spoons or two teabags in the freezer for five minutes and apply on your eyes to deflate them. Comb your hair and look after your beard: apply oil if it’s long, shave closely if you do, or just shave your stubble short. Don’t have unruly hair and a disheveled state of mind.

Eat lightly

We won’t convince fans of a morning Bloody Mary to do without it. But they should know that other ways exist. Avoid eating too much fat food: they are appealing but disturb the process of alcohol elimination. If you need a pleasurable moment, go for Benedict Eggs, distinguished as the best cure for hangover by Newcastle University. Created at a legendary Manhattan Palace, the Waldorf Astoria, they combine English Muffin, bacon, poached eggs and Hollandaise sauce, and bring you the perfect combination of carbohydrates and proteins. A banana, full of potassium, will help with the headache. If you need coffee, have a cup, but don’t overdo it. As it is diuretic, it will dehydrate your body. Even if rehydratation takes a few days, drinking water throughout the morning will reduce risks of sweating.

Be careful with your breath

Hungover breath needs special care. Bacteria responsible for bad breath thrive in dry mouths: brush your tongue as well, and use mouthwash. It might even be possible to deal with bad breath by eating unsweetened yogurt. According to the Director of Alternative Medicine at Michigan University Medical Center, probiotics contained in yogurt can neutralize the stomach bacteria that cause bad breath.

The last step: choose light and airy clothes, to limit sweating and body odor, but especially to be the most handsome man in the office. So New Year’s Eve can be nothing but a good memory.