The dreaded all-nighter season is upon us as finals approach. Out of solidarity with you, I’ve pulled half a dozen all nighters this semester in order to fine-tune my late night beauty regimen. I’m a professional procrastinator, so I get a lot of opportunities to test out what you need for your next midnight study session.
My streamlined “All Nighter Beauty Buster” (patent pending) is my grab-and-go mini duffle with all the products you need to leave the library at 7am still fresh as a daisy.
My duffle consists of energy bars, a water bottle, and these three products that you will regret not bringing to your next all nighter!
Thermal Spring Water
While you already know to drink plenty of aqua – put down that Red Bull – sometimes you forget that your skin gets dehydrated, too. The winter chills calls for the library to crank up the heat, which unfortunately sucks your skin dry. I always bring my travel sized bottle (1.76oz) of Avène Thermal Spring Water, and at least once an hour, I give my skin a spritz. The spring water helps soothe and soften skin while helping it maintain it’s natural balance against the dry heat. I get some weird looks sometimes, but people are seriously missing out! Plus, when you spray it on, the cooling mist wakes you up – back to work!
Other options:
La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water 5.2 oz, $13, walgreens.com
Evian Mineral Water Spray Duo To Go 2×1.7 oz, $14, sephora.com
Avène Thermal Spring Water 10.58oz, $18, dermstore.com (Best bang-for-buck!)
Multi Purpose Cream
I pack a multi purpose cream/balm for my sleepovers at Bobst. I always choose a product that not only can be used to moisturize my lips or act as a hand cream but also be used for all sorts of little problems. I use my trusty Josie Maran Argan Infinity Cream, and the favorite use I get out of this super-tube is using it as an under-eye cream. I squeeze out literally half a pea size and apply in a light circular/dabbing motion with my ring fingers (they give the lightest touch) to my tired eyes. This helps prevent the oncoming puffiness from not sleeping all night!
Other options:
Lush Ultrabalm, $13.95, lushusa.com
Dr. Lipp’s Original Nipple Balm for Lips, $14.50, birchbox.com (International following!)
Cleansing Facial Wipes
It’s common knowledge that sleeping with your makeup on is bad. Same rule applies for all nighters! And seriously, if I see you, and you have makeup on at 4 a.m? No. You are already depriving your skin of major rejuvenation time (a.k.a. beauty sleep), so do yourself a favor and let it breath by taking off your makeup. I always have cleansing wipes on hand since some study sessions weren’t intended to last past midnight, but they ultimately do. Bonus: give yourself a little refresher wipe down before you take off into the wee hours of the morning – this counts as a semi-shower right?
Options:
Pacifica Purify Coconut Water Cleansing Wipes, $6, pacificaperfume.com (Best smell!)
Aveeno Ultra-Calming Makeup Removing Wipes, $6.99, aveeno.com
Yes to Cucumbers On-the-Go Soothing Facial Towelettes, $2.99, yestocarrots.com