Does the Walk of Shame Burn Calories?

It Happens to the Best of Us - And She Is A Supermodel…(image courtesy of fashionista.com)

We've all been there and done that - had to leave somewhere in less than salubrious circumstances (and attire) after a big night out. Sometimes the embarrassment is work-based rather than having had a bit of wander(lust) - it is not a hard task to destroy your desk-image with a foolish fashion faux-pas!

With NYFW currently running, and the L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival on fast approach, there are bound to be some party-heavy evenings.

So let's take a look at some of the solutions to the name of the shame - quick fixes for a stylish return from the doldrums to highly desirable! Warning: some of these images may bring back traumatic memories - approach with one possibly panda-like eye shut...

The Thinker Redux…Contemplating A
Semi-Remembered Saturday Night...

Scouts Know What They Are Talking About

The number one rule for any big occasion - be prepared. Save yourself from a fate worse than death - yes, scurrying out of an (ahem) acquaintance's apartment in the same outfit does happen, but there are some simple steps to take to ensure that you can look quietly confident in an LBD and Louboutins at 8 on a Sunday morning!  Evening bags may not hold much, but there are a few basics you can fit in for a fuss-free fix in the morning… products such as Herban Essentials Towelettes are great for wiping off icky sticky skin, and they smell fabulously fresh - ideal for a less than wholesome look.  Kosmea Roswater Hydrating Mist is a great purse-sized product to rehydrate champers-rich skin; and if you have been on the cab sauv sauce?  Wine Wipes will make your mouth look pout-friendly, not vampire-lipped vile! And simple but effective - make sure you have breath mints or chewing gum in your clutch.  OK, it's not a toothbrush (which I admit goes with me EVERYWHERE) but at least you can wake up mouth-friendly, not mouse-friendly!  Another great item to clutch onto is a pair of fold up ballet slippers - they take up very little room, and it is amazing how much more easily you can stride confidently down the street if you are in flats - without wearing Saturday night's stilettos...

Industrial Accidents

At work and things go well - pear-shaped (and I am not talking body-types here)?  Maybe you have had a fall and ripped clothing, maybe you did the dreaded lunchtime sandwich spill - or most um, seriously you have come straight to work from a rather largish celebration; remember there are a few handy items to keep in your desk drawer at all times to keep the Badly Groomed Monster at bay.  Our lithe friend in the feature photo would know that embarrassment is very easily overcome by faking a smile and throwing back your shoulders haughtily - but for us mere mortals, some great repair products don't hurt.

Try having a dry shampoo on hand - it takes all of two minutes to apply and brush out, leaving your hair smelling great and looking gorgeous.  Then lose the party pose by doing a simple pony or top knot - the amazing Twistbands are terrific for this as they don't pull or snag your hair and are stylish enough for any outfit.  Use the man-sized Michael Klim for MILK exfoliating and cleansing scrubs to refresh your face - they are a wonder-worker.  Then add some Napoléon Perdis Auto-Pilot Primer, some seriously clever Savoir Faire 3-in-1 Concealer, and last but not least MeMeMe Lip & Cheek Stain in Poppy Tint - and you will be a new woman.

Can I add again that a dedicated work toothbrush is a miracle worker?  And in winter, a spare pair of opaque tights are a total winner...

Grin and Don't Bare It

As a general rule of thumb - if you know you are going to trip the light fantastic - have a handy addition to a 'somewhat skimpier than daylight hours likes' accessory you can throw on - even if it is just a silk or, for winter, cashmere pashmina or throw.  With a newly freshened face and fashionably flung wrap - the difference in slinking and striding will become very apparent.

So there we go - some very simple, but evidently effective (admittedly from personal experience) tips on making the most of a morning after the night before.  These are not fool-proof fixers though - a bucket of Bollinger will still mean a fairly decent headache on a Sunday morning…so watch your alcohol intake, and have a fabulous Sunday!