How to fake a healthy glow post-Christmas

Fight the effects of one too many late nights with some beauty SOS. Lisa Haynes reveals the tricks to looking sprightly in seconds

Don't let all the partying ruin your shine

The Christmas decorations may still be shining brightly but you've well and truly lost your sparkle. Sound familiar?

The party season can really take its toll on our appearance. All that rich food, endless bubbly and sleep deprivation can really set off the January blues when you peer into the mirror.

Add to that the fact that recent research by Adonia Organics revealed winter ages a woman's eyes by nearly five years, as vitamin D and happy hormones levels drop, and it's enough to warrant hiding under a duvet until spring.

Thankfully, there are numerous beauty saviours to cheat a glow to rival Rudolph's nose over the holiday season. So until that detox begins, give yourself the gift of faux festive radiance.

SANTA'S SACK EYES

The area under your eyes is ten times thinner than facial skin, so they're always the first giveaway of a particularly wild festive season.

The fat pads around the eyes will either disappear to create a hollow effect or protrude to cause bulging bags. Make-up artist Eryca Freemantle says a camouflage cream such as Keromask is your most effective route to looking bright-eyed.

"To cover dark under-eye circles, use a technique called stippling - dabbing the brush and cream on the area. The cream can also be dabbed onto the back of the hand before applying to the face to reduce the build up on the brush.

"Once the area is covered, ensure you blend the edges into the skin for a more natural application."

:: Keromask Camouflage Cream, £14.99 (01634 673 335/www.keromask.com)

FROSTY SKIN

If your complexion has the texture of sandpaper and appearance of a stale mince pie, it's likely all those festive tipples have seriously dehydrated your skin.

While it can be tempting to reach for a richer moisturiser, often a facial oil or serum absorbs into the skin quicker to nourish and hydrate.

"Make sure the skin is moist," advises Alan Pan, Estee Lauder's global make-up artist.

"I suggest using Advanced Night Repair underneath your usual moisturiser, to give skin a glow. My favourite product to use on top is Even Skintone Illuminator - it instantly creates the look of radiant, even skin tone."

:: Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair, £41; Idealist Even Skintone Illuminator, £46 (www.esteelauder.co.uk)

HUNGOVER HAIR

All those glam party dos may well have left your hair looking like dried-out pine needles. After all that heat, tugging and teasing, your tresses and scalp need a festive holiday from the rigmarole of styling.

"We tend to change our hair habits during the party season; many people wash their hair less and use styling products more," says Dr Rene Rust, head&shoulders scientist. "All this coupled with the lifestyle we lead in the run-up to New Year can take its toll, making itchiness, tightness and flaking more common at this time of year."

:: DGJ Organics Hangover Hair Shampoo, £4.99 (from Waitrose stores)

SEASONAL SPOTS

Uh oh! If relentlessly putting on your party face has resulted in breakouts, don't panic. Neat tea tree oil is great for pesky spots and pimples - it dries them out and kills off any bacteria.

"Many of my clients suffer from breakouts and dehydrated skin after the festive period, so decongesting clogged pores and replacing lost moisture is essential for rejuvenating skin to premium health," explains facialist Una Brennan.

"Many women in their 30s or 40s also have the additional concern of treating the signs of ageing, so SkinCeuticals Blemish & Age range is the ideal way to address both issues."

:: SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Solution, £27 (www.skinceuticals.co.uk)

TURKEY BLOAT

Ten too many Quality Streets? Add that to the festive gorging, when we're said to consume an extra 3,000 calories a day in the run-up to Christmas, and it's Santa bellies (and bums) ahoy.

Geraldine Howard, co-founder of Aromatherapy Associates, says: "I would recommend dry body brushing to kick-start the lymph then gently massaging our Revive Morning Bath & Shower Oil over the stomach area before stepping into the shower.

"This invigorating blend contains the essential oils of pink grapefruit which encourages the elimination of toxins, rosemary which helps to support effective digestion, and juniper berry which can help with excess fluid retention."

:: Aromatherapy Associates Revive Morning Bath & Shower Oil, £37 (020 8569 7030/www.aromatherapyassociates.com)

RUDOLPH REDNESS

Let's get this straight, red should be reserved for Santa's coat and festive jumpers - not the face.

Sadly, for some, the combination of too much make-up and too little sleep results in unsightly red patches.

"Following the endless make-up and glitter required for festive parties, skin can often flare up and become sore," says Hilery Dorrian, co-founder of Barefoot SOS.

"Try using Barefoot's SOS Face & Body Rescue cream to instantly soothe the weakened skin barrier, leaving your face looking cool and calm so your hangover goes unnoticed."

:: Barefoot SOS Rescue Face & Body Cream, from £5.95 (www.barefoot-botanicals.com)