Almost every girl at university is familiar with this scenario: you’ve had a heavy night out on the town, or more realistically at this stage in the year (unless you’re a fresher), a cramming session at the library into the early hours. You finally manage to drag yourself out of bed to turn off your alarm and, head pounding, wonder groggily why you’ve set it. A frantic check of the diary leads you to realise, in horror, that you have to meet your study group at 9:15. It’s 8:45. You live a fifteen minute walk away from the Courtyard. Can you be bothered to go? Yes, yes you must go. Groaning, you muster up all your might and check the state of your face in the mirror – and it’s not a pretty sight. With fear of scaring away your course mates, you somehow need to transform your current zombie-like appearance back to your normal vibrant self and, with just a quarter of an hour, time is of the essence.
Here are five tried and tested steps you can follow each morning to ensure you’re looking less exhausted and more energised, in time for your ridiculously early commitment:
1. Right, pull yourself together and get ready to rush. After a very quick body shower to scrub off the Willow stamps up your arms (no one wants to do a presentation with a dirty, hopelessly hungover moron) run a brush through your scraggly hair and, if it’s looking greasy at the roots, apply some dry shampoo, such as the fruity and retro Batiste Cherry Dry Shampoo. Massage this gently into your roots until it can’t be seen, then brush through your hair again. Tie up in a loose bun if you’re still having issues. This should all take five minutes, if you’re speedy.
2. Brush your teeth and spray some deodorant, obviously. Make sure your skin is make-up free if you haven’t managed to take it off the night before (naughty). Clean and clear skin is ALWAYS better than crusty old make-up residue from the night before. Resembling a panda with smudged eyeliner and crumbling mascara is not a good look. Envigorate your skin with something zingy, like Burt’s Bees Orange Essence Facial Cleanser. This will remove excess make-up and clean your pores without drying out your skin. Use colder water and circular movements to get your circulation going and bring some colour back to your face, making it appear more energised and less drained.
3. After using a radiance enhancing moisturiser such as The Body Shop Vitamin C Daily Moisturiser, your skin should be feeling a lot better. It also contains SPF 30 – total bonus in this current heatwave! If you feel you need some coverage, a light tinted moisturiser such as Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser (RRP £14.99) should do the trick and gently help disguise problem skin. For further awakening of your skin, use a pink facial primer afterwards, such as Benefit “That Gal” – guaranteed to make you look like you’ve walked onto campus straight out of a Nivea advert, and fast. Though pricey on a student budget, Benefit make-up products are some of the best for brightening and generally last a long time: a while investment.
4. Your make-up needs to be simple, quick and aim to brighten your eyes, giving the impression you’ve had a good night’s sleep. Tidy your eyebrows with a brow brush, gently pat a little concealer in a V shape underneath your eyes and in problem areas, and apply a few subtle strokes of pearl pink eyeshadow underneath your eyebrows to lift them – my favourite is Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Sin. Benefit Eye Bright in the corners of each eye will further combat dark shadows for a more wide-awake look. A few lashings of mascara, a little blush to your cheeks and a slick of Rose Vaseline on your lips will help bring your face back to life again, resulting in a bright, natural look.
5. Time is beginning to run out – without risk of sounding like your mother on the school run, you really need to leave soon. Throw on a comfortable and easy outfit you know looks good – think a summer dress and sandals, or skinny jeans with a pretty top. Stuff your books, laptop and phone in a large bag. Be sure to make something easily transportable for breakfast such as toast, or at least grab a banana. Bananas are an easy, quick and healthy rush breakfast choice, giving a substantial energy boost. Alternatively, decide to be that person that eats chips at the Courtyard at 10am. Your choice. Voila!