9 Pre-Event Skin-Prep Tips Loved By Beauty A-Listers
When it comes to looking your best for an event, how you prep your skin can truly transform and elevate the finished result. MALENA HARBERS discovers what the experts do to achieve a glowing complexion when it really counts
Gucci Westman, makeup artist and founder of Westman Atelier
“If I have anything important coming up, I always reach for products that I know and trust – it’s not the time to try something new. The night before, I’ll ‘baby’ my skin a bit with an extra-rich moisturizer from Augustinus Bader. When I’m getting ready on the day, I like a bit of gentle exfoliation to smooth away any dead skin cells, too – it gives a good base for makeup. My favorite step is to combine my new serum with facial massage for lymphatic drainage. The ultimate combo for me is the Westman Atelier Skin Activator, which immediately awakens my face through a blend of active ingredients, combined with a ReFa face roller, which instantly de-puffs and defines my skin.”
Sir John, makeup artist
“I love using cryo balls. When I’m doing clients’ makeup, I start by cooling the face with them. The cryo balls take the swelling away from the T-zone and help with lymphatic drainage, too. I’ll either pop them in a bucket of ice or simply keep them in the refrigerator. So I’ll prep the face with these, which is really calming, and then I’ll go in with a toner and moisturizer afterwards.”
Huda Kattan, founder of Huda Beauty
“The night before, I’ll cleanse my skin twice, then indulge in my Holy Grail product – the Huda Beauty Wishful Yo Enzyme Scrub. I use it over my entire body, so my skin is polished and ready to glow. After this, I’ll soak my skin in a moisturizing sheet mask packed with active ingredients, followed by a hyaluronic acid serum and a jelly moisturizer, taken down from my face and neck to my décolletage. Finally, to truly feel relaxed ahead of a big day, I love to drench my skin in a facial rose oil, massaging it into my skin either using a jade roller or gua sha tool. Pairing this with a good night’s sleep means I wake up ready to take on the world.”
Miranda Kerr, model and founder of Kora Organics
“When I’m getting ready to go out, I definitely use a gua sha, and I love the NuFace microcurrent device, as I see the difference in my face – plus I’ve started using the NuBody, too. My Kora Organics Noni Glow Sleeping Mask is a hydrating mask and I’ll use it for 15 minutes, wash it off, then use a serum with the NuFace tool.”
Shani Darden, aesthetician and brand founder
“I have a go-to routine for hydrated, glowing, sculpted skin that I do the night before an event. I start off by using my Cleansing Serum, then I use a chemical exfoliant such as Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare’s Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel pads or my custom professional lactic-acid peel, depending on what my skin needs. Next, I do a vibration-therapy treatment with my Shani Darden Facial Sculpting Wand for a more lifted appearance. I always rely on this tool when I need to look my best – it really helps to tone, tighten, lift and clear out any puffiness. Following that, I use a deeply hydrating serum to plump up my skin. I finish with my Weightless Oil-Free Moisturizer, which combines hyaluronic acid and hydrolyzed collagen to keep skin supple without causing any congestion.”
Charlotte Tilbury, makeup artist and brand founder
“I’m obsessed with my Charlotte Tilbury Super Radiance Resurfacing Facial: when I’m exhausted, it sloughs off dead cells and my skin looks reborn. And I love cryo; I would always do bowls of ice for my clients, as it’s amazing how much it can tighten and lift the skin. Now I keep my Cryo-recovery Face Mask in the freezer, and if I’m puffy or haven’t slept enough, it’s like an ice gym for the skin that instantly gives me a tighter jaw line and brighter eyes. I use my Magic Serum underneath – the cold makes it really penetrate – and while I have the cryo mask on, I press it up under the cheeks and then pitter-patter my fingers over it to get the circulation going.”
Sarah Chapman, facialist and founder of Skinesis
“Before an important event, I focus on brightening and plumping my skin. After cleansing with lots of massage, I combine an acid exfoliant with a 10-minute facial steam to help the exfoliating acids penetrate deeper for better results. After steaming, I sweep my Skinesis Liquid Facial Resurfacer on top for a final polish. Next, I use my Meso-Melt Infusion System. The combination of microneedling and serums really plumps my skin and boosts blood flow to make me look fresh. For extra radiance, I then apply an intensive vitamin C brightening serum to supercharge my skin’s luminosity. And to lock in moisture and nourish my skin overnight, I finish with my Skinesis Overnight Facial elixir and take a few minutes to really massage this into my skin to drain puffiness for a sculpted effect and leave my skin with a rosy glow. I believe in lashings of product before going to bed for a really glossy look the next day.”
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, model and founder of Rose Inc
“The night before an event, I love a spray tan. I find it’s important to exfoliate my skin first, so I use a clarifying toner that’s very gentle and good for acne-prone skin like mine. I also love a face mask, especially 111Skin’s Rose Gold Brightening Facial Treatment Mask, as it gives instant hydration.”
Dr. Rosemarie Ingleton, dermatologist and founder of Rose MD Skin
“I always start my event-day skin prep with a fruit-acid cleanser, which I typically leave on my skin for one to two minutes before rinsing off. This will give me a nice exfoliation without being too aggressive. Next, I apply my Rose Ingleton MD Skin Calming Booster, which uses hyaluronic acid to deeply hydrate and calm any leftover skin irritation. Finally, I use a moisturizer over the top – to help smooth my complexion and promote a dewy glow upon waking the next day.”
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