As the holiday party circuit grows more and more hectic with every passing day, like some sort of demented advent calendar soaked in mulled wine, so many things suffer: wallets, schedules, waistlines, emotional stability, and yes, your skin. It’s times like these that your grooming routine is more important than ever.

There are two categories: pre-party and morning after. Both are equally important. The only thing worse than being the guy with bad breath no one wants to talk to is looking like you overstayed your welcome the night before. And you don't want to be either of them.

Pre-Party

At a holiday party, as with a job interview, first impressions are important. Chances are you’re not wearing your ratty dog-walking sweats to any of these parties (maybe you even picked out a velvet blazer for the occasion), so approach your pre-party grooming routine with the same care. But that doesn’t mean you need to set aside hours to preen. Keep these handy gadgets in your desk drawer or bag to make sure you can freshen up at a moment’s notice.

Colgate WispsSure, you can carry around a toothbrush and toothpaste, but if you don’t have a sink available, these pre-pasted disposable toothbrushes do the trick. Use them in the back of a cab, in the elevator or in your car (just not as you’re driving).$10, Buy at Amazon

Dipytique Solid CologneFor the love of god, don’t be that guy spraying cologne in public. Solid cologne is literally made for semi-public freshening, and this elegant scent from Diptyque is perfect for black tie events.$50, Buy at Amazon

Vertly Lip ButterHow can you keep your lips from drying out and manage your crippling anxiety over making hours of small talk with strangers? The answer is weed! Well, CBD at least, which is now being used in a variety of grooming and wellness products. While the science might still be murky, CBD-enhanced lip balm certainly feels great.$22, Buy at Vertly

Oribe Foundation MistIf you, like most of us, don’t carry around your hair products on the daily, keep some of this foundation mist in your desk drawer. Before leaving the office, spray a bit on your hair to reactivate the product you put in that morning. It’s the difference between “I came from the office” and “I look like I came from the office.”$29, Buy at Amazon

Morning After

When it comes to hangovers, your skin is your greatest betrayer. Even if you were out all night, and feel sufficiently crappy because of it, you can reinvigorate sullen, puffy or dry skin so you look like you behaved yourself. Rolling into the morning meeting with sunglasses still on and breakfast sandwich in hand isn’t going to fly, even after that all-company rager.

Chantecaille Gold Eye MaskThese magical eye masks come with a hefty price tag, but are completely worth it. They almost immediately erase dark circles and fine lines (from lack of sleep) and lift sagging skin so you look like you got a full 8 hours. Bonus points if you keep them in the refrigerator: the cold will instantly cut puffiness.$195, Buy at Nordstrom

Dr. Jart Rubber MaskDry skin is obviously due to a lack of moisture but so is a sullen, dull, and generally sad skin tone. During the holidays, when your skin is put through a perfect storm of stress, environmental changes, and bad diet, you need something a little more than just your daily moisturizer. Rubber masks are like sheet masks on steroids—and since they’re not breathable like paper, you can be sure all the good stuff is going into your skin, not the air.$12, Buy at Sephora

Eye DropsSometimes the classic fix is the best. When you have red eyes (again, a moisture problem), keep eye drops handy to erase all traces of sleep deprivation.$6, Buy at Amazon

Pimple PatchesYes, summer bodies are built in the winter, but that whole thing usually gets put on hold during the holidays. When your diet goes off the rails, your skin rebels, which for most of us means breakouts. Thankfully, some kind genius invented pimple patches, which are essentially stickers with medicine that completely kills zits overnight. Sounds like science fiction, but works IRL.$19, Buy at Sephora

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