Christmas is a thing of the past and now we’re gearing up for the new year! Around this time of year I always think of the classic song – maybe it’s just too early in the game, but I thought I’d ask you just the same…What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?
I grew up in a family with a tradition that started because of me – when I was just one year old, I cried so much when my parents tried to leave for a New Year’s Eve party, that they cancelled their plans and began a new tradition. Just about every year, my family opens our home to friends and relatives and has an epic party. Some years they’ve kept it intimate. Some years it’s been big, involving live music and all. It’s now been 34 years and my parents STILL have friends and family over to toast to the new year. In Trinidad we call it Old Year’s Night. In America they call it New Year’s Eve. Either way, you know you’ll most likely be dressed up in style and ringing in a new year with high hopes on Wednesday!
Photo of woman celebrating NYE via Shutterstock
Of course not everyone drinks, but on New Year’s Eve, many of us do. My friend who was a bartender used to call it “Amateur Night,” meaning all the folks who don’t drink often typically wind up imbibing more than they can handle. Let’s just say that it’s an evening where you may wind up falling asleep without making the necessary preparations for the typical bedtime.
There’s kind of this conflict between New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day – you’re expected to stay up late, toast at midnight, and dance your cares away until the wee hours. But THEN on January 1st, it’s all about resolutions and good luck for the year to come and many believe your home is supposed to be spotless to usher in fresh, new energy. You can absolutely achieve all of your New Year’s goals – the debauchery AND the fresh newness. You can party all night AND wake up the next day to make your greens and your Hopping John. You just need to do a little prep work first. Let’s talk about your beauty and health needs for NYE. Here’s my helpful survival guide, broken down into three easy steps.
Here Are Your Helpful New Year’s Eve Beauty and Health Tips!
Step 1 – Wear makeup that’s made to last. This is the time to bust out your primers and lip stains. A few of my latest favorite long lasting makeup recs? Urban Decay All Nighter Eyeliner is AMAZING. OCC Lip Tar is MADE to last all night. I’m a fiend for L’Oreal Miracle Blur primer and Skindinavia finishing spray. They help to make my look last, despite the elements.
Step 2 – Set yourself up for success later. This is helpful for any night you’ll be out super late and all dolled up for the occasion – get your bedside table in order BEFORE getting ready for the evening. Check out my bedside table, all decked out for NYE!
What’s on my bedside table? Let me break it down!
water in a bedside water pitcher – super cute babushka water pitcher was a gift my husband bought on Amazon!
makeup remover – that’s classic Shu Uemura cleansing oil and Mario Badescu non oily eye makeup remover gel. Gentle and effective, even for the toughest eye makeup.
makeup wipes – two of my faves. Neutrogena Make-up Remover Cleansing Towelettes and Olay Fresh Effects Makeup Remover Cloths. The important thing in choosing a makeup removal wipe is durability and softness. You need a wipe that won’t rip on you, a wipe that you can use on its own or with a little makeup remover added to it, a wipe that will effectively remove ALL your makeup – eyeliner, mascara and all – without you having to stir from your bed. Make sure you take that makeup off – here’s to clear pores for 2015!
night cream – here’s hoping you can slather on something to replenish your skin after an all night party. My latest go-to is StriVectin Extreme Cream. What I REALLY love to do on nights like this, is spritz my face with rosewater and lock in that fragrant and fabulous moisture with my Extreme Cream. Of course that may not happen on NYE, but at least it’s there for you in case.
vitamins and/or aspirin – if you’ve had too much to drink, you’ve depleted your body’s fluids and you need to replenish yourself. Water and vitamins (especially ones that don’t need to be consumed with food) are good. I’m super into vitamins now that I’ve been taking them consistently and see a difference in my health. If you aren’t currently taking a daily supplement, I encourage you to find out from a doctor what your specific needs are, and add a supplement to your life AS WELL as try to eat fruits and veggies that correspondent with your body’s nutritional needs. Here you see my daily Vous Vitamin – which comes customized for your needs – alongside my Nature Made iron pills and Emergen-C (which I love, and comes in so many great varieties for your specific needs). Click here for some of my top vitamin picks!
Step 3 – be gentle with yourself. When you wake up, it will be the first day of a new year that is filled with promise and hope. Nobody wants to wake up for their first day of 2015 feeling terrible and unable. This is a good day to practice self care and set your intentions for the new year. Drink water. Eat healthy. Take it easy, while you replenish your body and your spirit. After all, you’ve got a brand new 365 days of living, opportunities and new discoveries ahead of you!
SO. What are you doing, New Year’s Eve? Whatever you do, I hope you’re happy doing it. Celebrate safely. Have fun! Happy New Year, bellas!
Happy Old Year’s Eve!
Yes, we do have family and friends over on Old Year’s night, we cook a pelau which is pigeon peas, rice, beef, pigtail, pieces of ham (some include chicken), all cooked in coconut milk with a hot pepper added and served with salads. As we usually go until wee hours of New year’s Day, we also serve either corn soup (2014) or hops (a round local bread) and ham or bake and shark.
We will have various noise makers and some form of “fireworks” and at midnight we toast each other in champagne – the little ones toast in either non-alcoholic wine or Peardrax.
It is one of the nights when your makeup may be more glam than usual and so even more to take off in the early hours after drinking and dancing. Your post is spot on with the tips.
I love your water carafe and most definitely agree that Vitmains and water are essential to fending off a case of hangover.
To you and all of your readers, Happy New Year 2015 and wishing us all a safe and enjoyable Old Year’s Night!
Fantastic tips Afrobella, makeup wipes are essential. I’m always so tired when I get back from a night out. As much as I’d like to fully cleanse, I just can’t be asked. Congrats on a successful year, can’t wait to see more 🙂
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afrobella, Thanks for the well written article, it was inspiring and powerful.
The water next to the bed is absolutely brilliant. I didn’t drink on NYE but I do get thirsty in the middle of the night and just lay there all thirsty because I don’t want to get up. Sometimes I’ll have a bottle of water but the pitcher is just so cute.