Let’s face it – New Year’s Eve is probably the biggest drinking day of the year, which means New Year’s Day is probably the biggest day for…

Yup.

You guessed it.

HANGOVERS.

Your head is thumping, your stomach is spinning and you look (and feel) like death warmed over. While the only true remedy to avoid the migraines and body aches is to not get drunk in the first place, stuff happens – especially at New Year’s. Whether you’re seeking to get sloshed or accidentally over-imbibe, you may have to feel it the next day, but you certainly don’t have to look it. Here are a few simple things you can do to keep your drunken debauchery a secret from the world’s prying eyes.

(And, please ladies! If you are going to be drinking this New Year’s, please, please, please don’t drive! Have a designated driver, crash at a friend’s or call a cab instead! Beauty tips are wasted on the dead.)

Drink lots of water – Before, during, and after you drink.

Alcohol dehydrates the body, and the reason you have a hangover the next morning is your body is suffering from that dehydration. Drinking lots of water can not only help prevent or lessen a headache and body aches, but it can help skin look moist, fresh and rejuvenated. A simple rule is to drink 8 ounces before you start in on the screwdrivers, 8 ounces for every drink you consume while partying, and another eight ounces after all is said and done.

Take your makeup off! – No matter how tipsy you are, do yourself a favor and wash off any makeup before you hit the sack.

A package of pre-moistened towelettes next to your bed can be a lifesaver for times like this. Not only do you avoid looking like the monster out of a bad B-flick (or Courtney Love) from smeared mascara and lipstick, you avoid post party pimples, rashes, irritation and doing damage to lashes.

A frozen spoon a day, keeps puffy eyes away – Puffy eyes are another dead giveaway that you’ve had more fun than you probably should.

Pop a couple spoons in the freezer for a few minutes and place on eyes to help reduce puffiness. Cucumber slices and cold chamomile tea bags can also help. Not enough? A bit of hemorrhoid cream on under-eye bags or zits can reduce puffiness and redness.

Red, white and Ewww! – Red eyes from irritating makeup (told you to take it off before you passed out!) or from just partying hard scream SLOSHED.

Eye drops that reduce red, dry eyes should be tucked into your desk or purse for the day in case pink peepers reappear. A swipe of white eyeliner on the lower waterline and a little shimmery white/champagne/ivory (depending on your skin tone) shadow in the inner corners of eyes can help brighten them and make eyes look wide, alive and alert.  Why shimmer? The particles of mica or glitter help to reflect light which makes dark, shadowy areas look brighter.

Minty magic – A piece of gum (preferably peppermint) can work wonders on hangover hell.

Not only does the mint help freshen breath and give your jaws a workout (which helps bring the blood back to your face so you don’t look ashy and pale) but the mint flavor and chewing action can help to settle a tipsy tummy.

Conceal it – Keep makeup light and natural looking, to avoid overdoing it and making yourself look worse.

But don’t skip the concealer! A dab under eyes and in inner corners helps hide dark circles/spots that boast you boozed it up. A bit of blush, soft shadow colors, mascara and neutral lip gloss should be enough to cover any incriminating evidence.

Lively locks – Spray a bit of detangler or leave-in conditioner into hair to help comb out knots and tangles as well as battle any bar-room odors like food or smoke.

Dry shampoo can be a God-send, but if you’re in a pinch, a little baby powder or corn starch just on the roots and combed through hair can help bring tresses back from the dead. Frizzy fly-aways? Run a dryer sheet over hair to soothe static.

Fashion forward – Wear something comfy but classy – if nothing more, it keeps people guessing!

You’re going to feel like crap so you want to be as comfortable as possible. On the flip side, too comfortable and you announce to the world that you’re not looking, or feeling, your best. Go especially easy on ankles by wearing flats or (if you can) tennis shoes. Since you’re dehydrated, ankles and other body parts are likely to start swelling as soon as you start hydrating yourself again. Not to mention, the extra support will help you feel a little better than if you have to hassle with heels all day.

Start this year in fashionably festive style by avoiding the morning after Margarita blues! The queasy stomach and aches and pains will fade as the day progresses but beauty blunders can live on forever! A little post Port prevention can keep your Mojito mishaps from becoming front page news and ease you into the New Year a little more beautifully.

Happy 2009, ladies! May it be more prosperous, more passionate and more BEAUTIFUL than 2008 was!

*Photos from squidoo.com, grainprocessing.com, fastcompany.com, bigoven.com, i.ehow.com