Everyone has their specific morning routine: multiple coffees, Instagram stalking, a heavy concealer application. But it’s the whole process of getting ready ahead of a night out where all the fun happens: multiple cocktails, Ashanti and JaRule-heavy playlists, a bold lipstick application. Because, in the morning we are basically prepping ourselves for battle (work, meetings, adult-ish responsibilities…), whereas our after-dark situation involves prepping for an evening of freedom (that may or may not involve tequila).
So after having a few of our favorite New Yorkers break down their morning-after routines (featuring all the hangover cures and skincare cover-ups), we figured it was only right to rewind a bit and spotlight everything they do before the dehydrated morning after. Scroll down for the drinks they sip on while dressing, the music they listen to while smudging on inky liner, and the snacks they pad their stomachs with before the night ahead. A.k.a. the more deluxe version of your college-era pre-game—no power hours in sight.
Kelly Connor
@kellymcdc
On what she does before a night out
“Rarely a routine, more of a mad dash after getting too involved in one of my favorite TV shows and then realizing the time! I jump into the shower and soak my bleached blond in Clairol shimmer lights. It makes your shower look like a scene from Psycho (except it's in purple), but, trust me, it does wonders for keeping my blond icy.”
On skin prep
“I will never stray from washing my face with Proactiv and then slathering on Jason Vitamin E oil from Whole Foods.”
On her go-to makeup routine
“If my skin is in good shape, I don't wear much makeup. Basically just Make Up For Ever eyebrow gel to keep my caterpillars in place and this weird green henna lipstick from Morocco that reacts with your body chemistry and turns your lips the perfect berry stain and stays on until the wee hours.”
On her dressing drink
“Tequila with ginger, soda and lime—a.k.a. a Mexican mule!”
On her pre-game playlist
“I'm obsessed with rap and luckily have friends in the industry, so anything they send my way I listen to on repeat.”
On her favorite way to fuel up
“GG's grandma pizza to order in or out to my favorite restaurant of the moment, Lucien.”
On the tricks of the trade
“OM Energy. I hate the taste so I take it in a shot glass of water. It gives you energy and, more importantly, kills a hangover!”
On her getting-ready routine
“While getting dressed, I tear apart my closet and whine about never having anything to wear. It also depends on my mood but I at least always text my best friend Emma Morrison for outfit approval. I almost always end up in my black super-high-rise stovepipe Imogene & Willie jeans, Vans sk8 sneakers or a Saint Laurent chelsea boot, a vintage tee and my favorite black leather jacket by The/End. Side note: this jacket has the best pockets so you never need a bag, which is my biggest annoyance when I just want to grab a cocktail and dance with my friends.”
Kate Foley
@real_kate_foley
On what she does before a night out
“It's normally rushed! I don't spend a long time getting ready and usually finish work late, so I either just refresh my makeup and wear what I've been wearing during the day or I do a quick change and I'm out the door!”
On skin prep
“I use Erno Laszlo hydra fluid toner and repair serum, which leaves my skin soft and hydrated. In the winter, I use a heavier moisturizer at night, like Dr. Jart Ceramidin cream. I always wear SPF during the day.”
On her go-to makeup routine
“Lipstick. I always wear lipstick when I go out. I use Nars matte lip pencils as they're so easy to apply and stay on so well. I have a range of colors, including Dragon Girl, which is a brighter pinky red, Mysterious Red, which is a more red red, and Damned, which is a deeper-purple tiny berry color. I stopped wearing mascara a few months ago and I love it. Sometimes I use eyeliner to paint on a tiny flick at the outer corner of my eyes, only really subtly though. I also recently started to use a brownish cream eyeshadow from Milk's new makeup brand, which I smudge on my lids roughly. It gives nice definition!”
On her dressing drink
“[I drink] Nothing normally—I wait until I'm at the party as I don't really drink a lot. Although If I'm feeling wild, I'll have an Aperol spritz or a super-spicy margarita!”
On her pre-game playlist
“It depends on my mood! Sometimes I go for classical music so I feel calm. Or reggae—I love Jimmy Cliff or something totally different. Recently I've recently been listening to Dr Dre's The Chronic a lot—I forgot how good it is!”
On her favorite way to fuel up
“I don't have very many ‘big nights out,' but if I go somewhere before going out, I'll do something really relaxed with friends. I love Meadowsweet or 1 OR 8 in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, or Il Buco in the city.”
On the tricks of the trade
“If I've drunk alcohol, I take a supplement called 'liver rescue!'”
On her getting-ready routine
“[I like getting ready] alone! It's too hectic to get ready in a group. There isn't a normal [dressing] process! Sometimes I have an idea ahead of time what I want to wear, especially if it's a big event. Otherwise I just figure it out on the spot.”
May Kwok
@iamamayzing
On what she does before a night out
“I make sure I eat a balanced, healthy meal and then hop in the shower. After that I spray a little Bumble & Bumble salt spray in my hair and let it air dry. Then I put my makeup on and get dressed. I'm usually ready within half an hour, believe it or not!”
On skin prep
“I make sure my face is freshly washed with Kiehl’s purifying foaming cleanser, then I use Fresh’s floral toner and hydrate/moisturize my face and neck with Kiehl’s ultra facial cream. My mom always taught me to make sure to moisturize!”
On her go-to makeup routine
“My go-to foundation is Estée Lauder's Double Stay foundation—it reaaaaaallllyyyy stays on all night. I have oily skin and normally foundation slips right off my face, but not this one. I apply it evenly with M.A.C’s 190 foundation brush. If I am feeling risqué, I like the new Estée Lauder Edit's Pure Color Envy Sculpting Eyeshadow 5-Color Palette in Infamous Sky and add my infamous cat-eye eyeliner on top using Wet n Wild's liquid eyeliner (I think i've been using this eyeliner for 15 years!). For rosy, bronzed cheeks, I use Nars cheek stick in Laguna or South Beach. My favorite lip color is Nars velvet matte pencil in Bahama, and I add Lucas Papaw ointment on top for a little shine. I must admit, I’ve been VERY intrigued by contouring, so my new love is this contour palette from Nars x Steven Klein's collection.”
On her dressing drink
“A classic martini made with Absolut Elyx.”
On her pre-game playlist
“Not to toot my own horn, but I put together this mix around fashion week that's really fun to dance and listen to while getting dressed. It has all of my favorite songs right now.”
On her favorite way to fuel up
“I like to cook at home and make healthy salads or macro plates, but if I'm heading out to eat I like going to Five Leaves, Nights & Weekends or River Stixx. In the city, Dimes and Dudleys are my favorite restaurants!”
On the tricks of the trade
“I actually don't take vitamins or supplements. I am really into natural wellness and get all my necessary nutrients from all the juices, smoothies and vegetables I eat during the day.”
On her getting-ready routine
“I can sometimes be an introvert (I know, surprising, right?), so I prefer to get ready alone, but I'm always down for a cute pre-game once I’m ready. Depending on where I’m going, I like to set the mood for the tone of my night by playing the right music. And then it's always a heels or flats decision. After that, everything falls into place. My go-to outfit is a cool tank top or T-shirt and skinny jeans—so simple but it works for me!”
Chelsea Leyland
@chelsealeyland
On what she does before a night out
“It looks a little like an out-of-control tornado. I’m often fortunate enough to be sent hair and makeup for many of my DJ gigs and events, so that makes life a little easier, although when it comes to getting ready alone I tend to be all over the place. I try to keep my magic earthy oils and Diptyque candles burning in the apartment to keep it feeling calm and vibey.”
On skin prep
“I usually start by washing my face with an organic REN cleanser and then tone with Dr. Alkatis skin soothing gel followed by lathering myself with Sasha's organic facial oils followed by 37 Extreme Actives cream to lock the moisture in. Yeah, a lot of skin prep.
I never leave the house without spraying organic rose water all over my face for a refreshing hydrating magic spritz. It also helps set your makeup. After I apply the oil and cream mentioned above, I then like to use a little of Natura Bisse cream as it gives some light coverage. This cream has SPF in it and is total magic as it works on ALL skin tones—yes, that’s right, ALL skin tones. It’s magic!”
On her go-to makeup routine
“I keep things quite natural. If I do a lip, it’s normally Dragon Girl by Nars, but right now I am loving that Natura Bisse cream I mentioned before—it’s my must-have. And, again, I’m all about glossy skin, so I like all Nars sticks, especially Copacabana, this amazing creamy blush stick that works natural wonders, so my skin appears glow-y and fresh, and then I add a little eyeliner.”
On her dressing drink
“Herbal tea, always.”
On her pre-game playlist
“This totally depends on the day, my mood, where I’m going etc. If I’m stressed, I keep the music calm; if I want to get hyped up, I will play hip hop or house.”
On her favorite way to fuel up
“Nothing beats roasting your own veggies while you get ready and taking them with you to your DJ gig. Ha ha...yes, I do this.”
On tricks of the trade
“Aloe vera, a good probiotic, chlorophyll, my Chinese herbs developed for me by my Chinese doctor. I take way too many things—you don’t want the whole list, trust me.”
On her getting-ready routine
“I prefer to get ready alone or with a friend. Getting ready is like a mental tornado—I can never decide what to wear but luckily my amazing assistant, a.k.a. my fairy, helps me figure these things out. I’m a tomboy at heart and like to be casual so I tend to get worked up when figuring out what to wear. There are always clothes thrown everywhere and usually a suitcase that hasn't been unpacked and looks like a bomb has gone off inside it as there are clothes coming out and surrounding it as I desperately try to search for the right pair of shoes.
What I wear totally depends on what the night ahead has in store. Right now my go-to for a night out would be these amazing gold Gucci shoes I recently got. They are kinda loud and unique and give any look a bit of a magic touch.”
On what she does before a night out
“My night always starts with a great song to get me in the mood. Then hair, makeup and, of course, several outfit changes.”
On skin prep
“I prep my skin with La Mer moisturizer. It gets my skin super hydrated and almost works like a primer for my makeup.”
On her go-to makeup routine
“After moisturizing, I love to start with Jay Manuel's Filter Finish foundation. It comes in great shades for dark skin that looks soft and natural. Then I apply Benefit They're Real mascara. This is great for anyone with wild lashes like mine. It has a firm, spiky brush that completely lengthens and separates each lash. I'm a red lip girl, and my go-to is Nars Matte Velvet Lip Pencil in Dragon Girl. It's hands down, the best blue-based matte red lip out there.”
On her dressing drink
“I’m currently pregnant, so just water right now, but usually I love a vodka tonic with a splash of lime.”
On her pregame playlist
“Drake and J. Cole. Always.”
On her favorite way to fuel up
“I usually keep it light before a big night out because otherwise I'll get sleepy. On my way back home, I love to stop by Prince Street Pizza in Nolita for a slice of Spicy Spring (thick and covered in crispy pepperoni).”
On her getting ready routine
“I shower, brush my teeth, do my hair and makeup, then try on about five different outfits. My go-to outfit is usually a pair of jeans with a tee, a leather jacket and a great pair of heels. I prefer getting ready alone. I hate feeling rushed and I'm always late. I’d rather take my time and meet my friends out instead of rolling together.”