HUMMMM...well, last year my friends all came over and crashed at my house. We danced around in our costumes and did a mini photoshoot, finished up our extras, gathered our things into piles, and then my buddies crashed. I, on the other had, stayed up til like 1AM-2AM finishing my cosplay and my husband's. We went as Tetris blocks last year--incidentally, barely anybody knew what Tetris was and many thought I was a |?| block from mario. O_O I HAD NO "?".
We all got up really early, I picked up a friend who couldn't stay the night, got coffee, went back to my apartment, applied our makeup, and LEFT FO THE CON! 8D
Anyhoo, this year, my friends and I are working steadily on our costumes NOW. We've gotten quite a bit finished, in fact.
I'm about 30% finished on my Mia outfit, just need to make some purchases for contacts, hair extensions, etc.
Usually if I'm preparing for an event that I'm required to look above presentable at, I'll start off with a hot bath with fragrant oils and (sometimes) candles. I then shave my legs, wash up, and lotionize with something that moisturizes amazingly and smells nice. I'll then either blowdry my hair or put it up so that it's easy to style in the morning. I get up early, apply my makeup, do my hair, eat a small breakfast, and DO MY THANG O YEAH. xD
Also, the night before I try to eat a light meal that's not high in sodium so I don't wake up bloated the next morning. ><;