Your head is pounding, your stomach is churning, your entire body aches and you’ve got that weird taste in your mouth. It might not be the first time you’ve had to battle a hangover, but last night’s fabulous party has left you totally incapacitated and that weekend in the desert used up the last of your sick days. Fear not: Minx got the skinny from a professional makeup artist on the best ways to heal – and hide – your hangover.

We all know that hangovers are a result of alcohol’s dehydrating effects on your body. Quick fixes like coffee and greasy food might give you some temporary relief, but caffeine and excessive sodium can dry you out even more, intensifying those nasty side effects and lengthening your recovery time.

Fortunately, there’s an easy way to start getting yourself back to normal and it’s the most obvious answer. When dehydrated, rehydrate! Some swear by Gatorade, others believe in the restorative powers of Smart Water or Vitamin Water, but purists will tell you any h2o will do, provided that you drink lots of it. Top it off with a B12 vitamin, a banana (loaded with Potassium), and you’re good to go.

But, what about that pasty face?  Professional makeup artist Michelle Christman dished on the tips and tricks of the trade that can mask the ugliness of the absolute worst hangover.

• Start by washing your face with warm water to remove the remnants of last night’s makeup. Mario Badescu’s Enzyme Cleansing Gel ($12.00) is a great cleanser that won’t dry out your skin. Rinse with cool water to help reduce puffiness.
• The most important step is to replenish the moisture that has been lost, so now is the time to break out your good moisturizer. Crème de la Mer is by far the best, but just one ounce will run you $130.00. A good alternative is Chanel’s Hydramax + Active Moisture Gel Cream ($72.00) or Bioelements Really Rich Moisture ($37.50).
• Other great products include MAC’s Fast Response Eye Cream ($30.00), which is a must for the dark circles under your eyes, and Clarins’ Beauty Flash Balm ($45.00), great for a fatigued complexion.
• A better alternative to your usual foundation and powder routine is to then apply a tinted moisturizer instead. When your skin is dry, foundation and powder will settle into imperfections and give you a dull, uneven appearance.
• Using a warmer concealer will help with dark under eye circles, as well. The Laura Mercier Undercover Pot ($34.00) has two shades, one to cover blemishes and the other for the eye area, and also a light setting powder.
• A warm bronzer or a pink blush will help bring life back into your face. NARS has some of the best blushes – Orgasm ($26.00) is a great color for many different skin tones.
• A good light eye shadow with a little shimmer will brighten tired eyes, but don’t go overboard with the sparkles for a daytime look. All That Glitters is a great MAC shadow ($14.50).
• Hungover or not, always curl your eyelashes to open up your eyes! Shu Uemura makes a great one that’s fairly inexpensive ($19.00). Follow up with a couple coats of your favorite mascara.
• Chapstick, a moisturizing lipstick or moisture-rich gloss will top off the look. Try Yves Saint Laurent’s Baume Nourrissant ($25.00). It’s a great clear lip balm that you can also use as a nail balm, or even apply over your lipstick to add some shine.
• For hair, a simple sleek ponytail can be elegant, or for a super quick, tousled look, Bumble and Bumble’s Surf Spray ($22.00) can make your messy do sexy and intentional.

By now, you’ve had some time for your Smart Water and Advil to work through your system, you’ve got a face on, and you’ve made last nights loose curls work – you’re gorgeous and ready to face the day. Remember to continue pushing the fluids and eat a good breakfast, and it’ll be as if your night of drunken indiscretion never happened… until the pictures surface, that is.