Ah the holidays. They’re really, really, REALLY here, and because all the jubilation comes with more than one kind of libation, it’s also officially hangover season too. Between all the parties, potlucks and awkward family moments, we’re all going to be imbibing a bit more than usual in the coming months, so have fun, don’t drink and drive….and try not to come out looking, smelling or feeling like the over-worn, crusty underside of a winter boot. These The Manual tested and approved grooming hangover helpers should help.
1—Aveda Peppymint
$8.50 for .2oz at aveda.com
Booze breath. It ain’t cute. And neither is chewing gum at work. This little bottle eats bad breath bacteria for lunch and fits discreetly into your pocket, briefcase or desk at work.
2—Badger Balm Lip Balm
$7.99 for a pack of three at badgerbalm.com
Peeling open the giftwrap is awesome. Peeling the skin off of your lips is not. Badger Balm’s are light, matte and all natural, using beeswax, olive oil and a slew of other antioxidant filled ingredients to keep your puckers in primo shape. The pack comes in cinnamon, peppermint and chai, all perfectly gender neutral and holiday appropriate.
3—Ursa Major Men Face Wipes
$24 for a box of 20 at ursamajormen.com
When wiping puke off your face, go with something filled with vitamins and minerals.
4—One Wipe Charlies
$4 for 40 wipes at dollarshaveclub.com
Useful, especially when oversleeping means no time to take a shower.
5—Old Spice After Hours
$4.79 for 3 oz at walgreens.com
You’re up all night to get lucky, not to smell like a ham sandwich. So use this fresh smelling, 24-hour strong, time released deodorant to make it so.
6—Triumph Gameface moisturizer
$64 for 3 oz at triumphanddisaster.com
If you can remember to drink a glass of water before passing out, you know, to stave off some of that hangover, then try to remember to put give your face a sip too so you don’t wake up with a face drier than the desert. Worthy is this stuff, which uses Ponga, a flower the Maori tribesmen used to treat wounds after battle and horopito, a plant native to New Zealand that’s full of antioxidants and conditioning agents.
7—Rohto Redness Relief Eye Drops
$6.99 for .4 oz at myrohto.com
Initially, you’ll curse these eye drops to high hell because they’re so cooling they might actually hurt. Then you’ll praise them to holy heaven because they’ll have whitewashed your bloodshot eyes and given you an instant jolt awake. Now back to work!
8—Recipe for Men Under Eye Patches
$36 for three treatments at recipeformen.com
These 20-minute eye masks are the closest thing to a reset button your eyes will ever know.
