Beauty Blunders

The events of Fresher’s Week and the subsequent nights out mean that this particular term’s lectures can be otherwise known as “hangover hour.” Coming out of them with shreds remaining dignity is a hard feat at the best of times, so hopefully this guide to avoiding everyone’s first impression being of you looking like a horror film extra will guide you through the first few weeks of term.

Fake tan
The perfect remedy to a few weeks without sleep in northern England, and while no one would admit that looking like an orange is their cup of tea, masses of people (and we’re talking girls and boys…) still insist on painting their bodies and ruining the clean white sheets mum and dad bought for their new university bedroom. Similar to foundation lines around your chin, make sure that your fake tan tones with your natural skin tone to avoid looking like mahogany Barbie.

Dry Skin
Alcohol dries out the skin, so remember to moisturise with products that are water-based to ensure you remain looking alive throughout campus tours and fire and healthy and safety talks (“avoid the lake”). Keep hydrated and drink 6-8 glasses of water daily, more if you’ve had a heavy night, to ensure your body stay in the perfect condition to last until the next night out.

Rave paint As fun as it is covering your face in neon paint, just make sure that it won’t irritate your skin or the resulting rash will be a much less glamorous reason for people to remember you after Freshers’ Week. Always test face paints on an area that isn’t as visible as your face, like the inside of your elbow, before embarking on a full blown neon facial style.

Underwear
Chances are you will go on a pub crawl dressed as a crazy person at some point in the term and while dressing in a sexually suggestive manner or purely in your underwear seems perfectly acceptable on such occasions, make sure that the pre-drinking spirit of frivolity doesn’t lead to crossing the line between perfectly acceptable fancy dress costume and underwear with animal ears. Unless of course you are at a Mean Girls party in which case I take that back.

Eye bags
As tempting as pizza is every night now you’re fending for yourself, water, fruit and vegetables stop puffy eyes. The skin around eyes is thinner, which is why late nights lead to eye bags. Ice cubes, cucumber and almond oil help combat the effects of late nights. Whilst Freshers’ Week is busy, the secret to student success is finding time to nap in between (or during) lectures so you’re ready for another night getting to know everyone.

Wearing pyjamas
It is a safe bet to assume that in your first week at uni, probably after your heaviest night out, the fire alarm will go off at an ungodly time in the morning. Just remember, it will be colder than you ever expected outside and pyjamas are vital and perfectly acceptable attire for such an occasion, wearing anything less is probably not. Investing in a onesie will keep you warm and saved as a back-up for those last minute fancy dress parties. Not to mention saving you flashing any unsuspecting firemen or fellow sleepy students.