Recovering from a wild night of overenthusiastic alcohol consumption takes time. But if time is lacking, there are ways to look good even if you don’t feel it. With a couple of simple tricks and a few undetectable cosmetics, hiding a hangover isn’t that difficult; it’s just a question of knowing how.

Years ago, I worked as a barman in a business hotel. Most of my customers were men in suits. Usually, their only intention was to take a nightcap after returning from dinner at a local restaurant. But it didn’t always end there. For some, that was just the beginning. Getting louder and more boorish as each hour passed, they’d remain perched on their stools until dawn.

After they’d finally gone to bed, I’d clean up and do my paperwork before running into them again; this time making their way to breakfast looking like death warmed up. I didn’t dare wish them a “good morning.”

Of course, the hotel had female guests, too. They, however, seemed less inclined to spend their evenings at the bar. But if they did, they were generally more professional, turning in at a reasonable hour in order to properly function the next day.

Meeting business associates and potential customers while feeling dizzy and reeking like a brewery is never a good idea.

And even if they did occasionally get caught up in the convivial atmosphere, they had makeup to work its magic the following morning. An advantage men don’t have.

But there are things we can do.

After many years of studying grooming and cosmetics, I’ve stumbled upon a few products that will make you glow. And don’t worry, they’re suitable for men, too—nobody will ever know.

Hangover Prevention Before Bed

But before we get into that, let’s take a look at prevention in order that you don’t have a hangover to hide in the first place. Or at least one that is less severe.

Drinks to Avoid

“Beer before wine and you’ll feel fine; wine before beer and you’ll feel queer” is one widely known piece of advice. Another is “beer before wine is not fine.” So which is it? According to my experience (back in my less angelic days), order makes no difference.

But choosing drinks that contain fewer congeners can help. Simply put, these are compounds that give alcoholic beverages their color and aroma.

Therefore, avoid red wine and brown spirits such as cognac, whiskey, and rum. White wine, champagne, and clear spirits like gin and tequila will make you feel less sick if you consume one too many.

Beer and vodka have the fewest congeners. Even so, they’ll still cause a hangover if you drink too much.

Drink Water

Sadly, I met a lot of heavy drinkers and functioning alcoholics during my stint in the hospitality industry. One piece of advice they all gave was to drink plenty of water before bed—at least a pint.

When I worked as a waiter, a colleague who liked to unwind at a bar would drink one glass of water with every alcoholic beverage. She seemed to remain sober throughout and never appeared hungover.

Water counteracts the dehydrating effect of alcohol, which could be a primary cause of hangovers.

Aspirin or Ibuprofen Before Bed

Taking aspirin or ibuprofen before bed won’t prevent a hangover. The effect will have long worn off before you get up.

But they could help if taken shortly before you rise. Set your clock an hour earlier; if you feel hungover, take one and go back to sleep. When you wake up again, you should feel a little better.

Sleep With an Extra Pillow

Sleeping with your head raised promotes lymph drainage, which reduces swelling and puffiness the following morning, especially around the eyes.

Therefore, use an extra pillow or elevate the head of your bed if this is a possibility.

Source: Pixabay

How to Alleviate a Hangover

I haven’t had a hangover for decades. In fact, I enjoy a glass of wine or champagne only a couple of times a year and never touch spirits or beer, the latter being extremely moreish. But back in the day when I was less disciplined, hangovers were a regular occurrence. Maybe once every couple of months or so.

I guess it was all about being one of the boys. As a mature man, I have nothing more to prove in this respect.

Apart from the headache, nausea, and dizziness, the worst thing for me was the feeling of dryness. Not only in my mouth, but my skin, too.

The first thing to do is replenish electrolytes. I’ve never bought sports drinks, but milk can help, which most of us have at hand. A barman I met in Spain recommended iced drinking chocolate, which worked wonders for my headache.

The healthiest option is said to be coconut water.

As for food, I think it’s best to satisfy your cravings. Salted crackers and cheese sandwiches were mine. But only after the nausea had passed.

Of course, it goes without saying that regardless of what you do, you won’t feel your best for at least 24 hours.

But you can make yourself presentable.

Hiding a Hangover

Hiding the Smell of Alcohol

Appearance isn’t everything when it comes to hiding a hangover. Smell is very telling.

As I explain in my post How to Smell Good: A Guide for Men, the more alcohol you consume, the less efficiently the liver can process it. Therefore, some will be released through your sweat glands and breath, which is where the boozy “morning after” odor comes from.

Added to this, a hangover is always accompanied by a dry mouth, which only makes matters worse.

Drinking lemon water will aid your body in metabolizing remaining alcohol. It will also rid your mouth of odor-causing bacteria.

Beside that, chew xylitol gum (which is also anti-bacterial), shower with a zesty soap or body wash, and don’t forget your deodorant.

Think twice before applying cologne. Fragrance always made me want to throw up when hungover.

Brushing your teeth with odor-neutralizing baking soda can also be of benefit.

Red and Puffy Eyes

Red and puffy eyes are a sure sign that you’re hungover.

To reduce swelling, wash your face with cold water and place cucumber slices, potato slices, or cold teabags over your eyes for 15 minutes. You’re bound to have one of these at hand, even if you’re in a hotel room.

For red eyes, try Visine or Optrex eye drops.

Contact lenses exacerbate the red-eye problem—especially if you forget to take them out before going to sleep. Eye drops suitable for contact lens wearers could be of help.

Tinted glasses are another option but will probably only raise suspicion.

Source: The Neat and Tidy Man

Cosmetics to Hide a Hangover

As a man, I would never be seen to wear makeup. But there are undetectable products that can make you appear fresher.

Skin Tone and Texture

Depending on age and skin condition, excessive alcohol can leave your face sallow, dull, blotchy, and crinkly around the eyes. It can also make pores appear larger and acne blemishes more pronounced.

Don’t make any changes to your skincare routine. Shave, cleanse, and moisturize as usual in accordance with your skin type and condition. You may need a little more moisturizer around the eyes, but don’t overdo it. You’ll otherwise look greasy.

After about 10-15 minutes, blot with a tissue to take off excess shine.

If you still look ill, consider the following tips.

Tanning Towels

Of course, you’ll need to do this the night before in anticipation of the worst.

If you’re still lucid, apply self-tanning lotion before going to bed. But not out of a bottle or tube—tanning towels are less messy and more convenient.

After washing or cleansing, rub the towel gently over your face, neck, ears, and scalp (if you’re bald). Be sure to get into every nook and crevice, and wash your hands afterward.

By morning, you should look a lot healthier than you feel.

If your tan is a little uneven, showering with a mild wash lotion will correct this.

A Serum of Pine Bark Extract

If I had to hide a hangover nowadays, which is highly unlikely, I’d use Pycnogenol® by The Ordinary instead of tanning towels.

This is a serum of French pine bark extract.

Dark, reddish-brown in color, it’s a powerful antioxidant that moisturizes while lending a warm, healthy glow.

It’s so subtle that you don’t need to put it everywhere. Spread it over your face and scalp and blend at the jaw without actually going into your neck. It will otherwise stain your collar permanently; I speak from experience.

Any product left on my palms goes on my ears, although I don’t think this is necessary.

Apply over your moisturizer for best effect.

Primer

In case you’ve never heard of primer, women apply it beneath their foundation for a smoother, longer-lasting finish.

Primers even skin tone, minimize pores and redness, blur wrinkles, moisturize, and mattify. Best of all, they appear invisible on the skin.

Try M. Asam’s Magic Finish Perfect Me Transparent, which is targeted at both sexes.

If using, apply over Pycnogenol® and blot with a tissue after about 10 minutes.

Cosmetics for Hungover Eyes

Concealer

One consequence of a night on the tiles is extreme tiredness and undereye circles. Whether you’re a man or a woman, stock advice is to wear concealer.

But any cosmetic dense enough to hide circles will be visible for all to see. This is true even of products targeted at men.

Apart from that, you need to be able to apply concealer properly in order for it to be effective—most men haven’t acquired this skill.

What could work is a so-called color-correcting concealer, which you’ll find on Amazon. For lighter skin tones, choose a yellow cream product to neutralize blue and purple undertones. Orange works for medium to dark skin tones.

To apply, dab a small amount over the affected area using your ring finger and keep patting until it’s invisible. If possible, do this at a window in daylight to be sure nobody will ever be able to detect it.

Eyelash and Eyebrow Gel

Women wear mascara to accentuate their lashes and make the whites of their eyes seem clearer.

You can do the same with tinted eyelash and eyebrow gel. The beauty of this product is that it always looks natural. Just make sure you don’t apply too much, and don’t rub your eyes, or it will smudge.

For most natural-looking results, choose brown even if your lashes are black.

Dressing to Hide a Hangover

It goes without saying that clothing plays a huge role in how good we look, so don’t underestimate it when trying to hide a hangover.

Dress more neatly than usual. And wear a color that people have complimented you on. These are hues that bring out the best in your skin tone. For me, that would be navy or aubergine.

On the other hand, lighter colors can decrease the appearance of shadows, making you look less haggard. That would be light blue for me, but not white.

To help mask the boozy stench, wear clothes that are freshly washed and still smell of detergent.

If you don’t quite look yourself, people shouldn’t think it’s because you have a hangover. Throw them off the scent by combing your hair differently, or wearing glasses instead of contact lenses, or changing the frame of your glasses. An item of clothing that is slightly out of character will also do the trick.

© 2025, J. Richardson. All rights reserved.