Party Season Survival Guide

REMOVE YOUR MAKEUP BEFORE GOING TO SLEEP

“After a night of partying, the last thing you may want to do is clean your face before you hit the sheets. But this is so important to avoid clogged pores and excessive dryness. Plus, many makeup items contain a sugar-type molecule that breeds yeast overnight, resulting in skin ‘dandruff’. Don’t forget to remove your eye makeup too; otherwise you’ll experience bumpy rashes around your eyes or small white bumps called milia cysts – not a good look.”
– Dr Low Chai Ling, medical director, Sloane Clinic

WATCH YOUR BEVERAGE INTAKE AT PARTIES

“Soft drinks, alcohol, eggnog… the more you drink, the more calories you’ll consume, so it’s best to set some rules for yourself. I would stick to low-calorie drinks like sparkling water or diet cola with plenty of ice. Ice all your drinks – it dilutes them and makes them last longer. If you’re having red wine, have just one glass per party and sip it slowly. White wine and champagne are often served cold, which might make you drink them faster, encouraging top-ups. If you like liquor, say, rum, mix it with diet cola instead of regular cola, which is full of sugar. Soda water makes a good mixer too because it’s calorie free. Don’t confuse it with tonic water, though. Tonic water is high in calories, mainly from sugar.”
– Jaclyn Reutens, clinical dietician, Aptima Nutrition & Sports Consultants

 

USE MAKEUP PRODUCTS THAT STAY PUT

“Who wants to be reapplying her makeup a hundred times during a fun party? Not you! The solution is to use makeup products with staying power. Look out for words like ‘long wearing’, ‘melt proof’, ‘sweat proof’, and anything else that indicates it will stay put. Another tip is to use as little moisturiser on your face as possible – too much will just make your makeup slide off, especially if the weather is warm and humid. If you need hydration, apply toner and serum, and dab a little moisturiser onto the driest parts of your face before smoothing a mattifying primer on the oiler areas. And finally, don’t contour too much if you’re going to be partying all night. The humidity and sweat will just ruin it, making you look like a contestant in a mud-wrestling match.”
– Larry Yeo, makeup artist

 

DON’T SKIMP ON WATER OR SLEEP

“It’s easy to forget to drink enough water during the party season, especially if you’re going to functions where the alcohol is flowing. After an alcoholic drink, I drink tea and water to counteract the drying effects on the alcohol and prevent water retention. I’ve found that this reduces that ‘morning after’ skin puffiness. Sleep is also vital to help your skin recharge. A lack of sleep increases the production of stress hormones in the blood, causing acne breakouts and making the complexion look dull.”
– Dr Georgia Lee, founder, TLC Lifestyle Practice and DrGL skincare range

 

STAND OUT WITH A UNIQUE HOSTESS GIFT

“If you’ve been invited to a few parties and want to gift the hosts something more special than a bottle of wine, here are a few ideas that will make an impression: Gourmet chocolates, the latest electronic gadget or appliance, homemade cookies or jam in a pretty mason jar, or a personalised gift. Avoid items that are too personal or meaningless, like perfume or cologne, clothing, cosmetics, and photo frames or key-chains.”
– Yvonne Anjelina, director and chief etiquette coach, The Etiquette School Singapore

 

DON’T TAKE ANYTHING TOO SERIOUSLY

“This is probably the craziest time of the year. To keep your stress levels in check, remember to live in the moment and enjoy every second of it. Remind yourself that you’re in control of the way you feel, so make it a priority to be positive and to take everything in your stride, no matter what happens.”
– Sally Forrest, holistic expert and managing director, Soul Centre

 

EAT SLOWLY AND MINDFULLY

“Don’t rush your meal, no matter how hungry you are. Be conscious of every mouthful. That way, you will notice when your tummy is satisfied and you’ll stop eating. One trick to prevent hunger pangs is to eat something light but substantial before going to a party. A low-calorie snack, like yogurt, a piece of fruit or a wholemeal sandwich, will fill you up so you’re less likely to overeat.”
– Bibi Chia, principal dietitian, Raffles Diabetes & Endocrine Centre

 

KEEP YOUR SMILE LOOKING FABULOUS

“If you’re moving from party to party, carry few items that will keep your breath fresh and help you deal with minor dental emergencies, like spinach in-between your teeth. Sugar-free breath mints and dental floss, for instance, won’t take up much room in your party clutch. To keep your smile looking bright, don’t go overboard with the red wine, which can stain your teeth.”
– Dr Sherina Daryanani, dentist, and founder of TEETH @ Tiong Bahru, Dental Clinic

 

DON’T SKIP YOUR WORKOUTS

“Just because it’s Christmas and New Year’s, it doesn’t mean you should give yourself a break from exercising. The trick is to make your workouts accessible. If you can’t get to the gym, for example, go for a 30-minute run around your estate. If you exercise first thing in the morning you’ll free yourself up for the rest of the day, so make it a point to wake up a little earlier so that you can fit a workout in. If you need extra motivation to get up early, schedule your exercise session with a buddy or make an advance appointment with your trainer.”
– Joan Liew, personal trainer, Fitness Factory

 

TAKE EXTRA CARE OF YOUR HAIR

“Frequent hairstyling during the party season can stress your locks. My tip to keep them in good condition is to remove as much product as possible before shampooing – otherwise, your hair will get very tangled up and be susceptible to hair fall. And at least twice a week, treat your hair to a hydrating treatment to build strength and restore shine.”
– Leonica Kei, director and senior trichologist, Philip Kingsley Trichological Centre

 

SOOTHE SORE FEET WITH A MASSAGE

“Standing and dancing in heels all night can lead to sore, painful feet. Try this easy self-massage using a tennis ball: Simply place your foot on a tennis ball and roll the ball along your foot while putting some body weight on it. Do this for five to 10 minutes. If there is no swelling, redness or warmth in the sole of your foot and ankles, soak your foot in warm water for 10 to 15 minutes.”
– Samuel Ong, physiotherapist, Core Concepts

 

MAKE HEALTHY CHOICES AT THE BUFFET

“I personally avoid carbohydrates like rice, noodles and baked potatoes, so that I can have my share of rich Christmas sweets, like pannetone, stollen and pudding. If I’m having a lot of meat, I opt for the leaner cuts. The sauces and condiments that come with many dishes tend to be full of empty calories, so I place them on the side of my plate rather than pour them over my food.  And when it comes to dressing my salads, I prefer vinaigrette or olive oil to the heavier creamy or cheesy dressings.”
– Dr Lim Ing Haan, interventional cardiologist, Mount Elizabeth Hospital