Updated 12/6/24. Big events give us something to look forward to, but preparing for them can also be a source of stress. The pressure to look great on one, specific day is overwhelming at times. While most of us have a big event on the books maybe once a year, celebrities are preparing for them constantly. Between red-carpet appearances, awards shows, and performances, they’re no strangers to feeling the pressure.
I’ve had the privilege of being Demi Lovato’s and Sabrina Carpenter’s longtime esthetician, and I’ve helped prepare them prepare their skin for countless events.
Keep scrolling to learn how to get glowing before your next big event!
In the Week Leading Up To Your Event
There are a number of things you can do (and, more specifically, not do) to ensure you’re looking healthy and glowing for your special event.
Limit Certain Foods to Curb Puffiness
To be clear, no amount of green juice or “clean eating” in the week leading up to an event is going to have much of an impact on your skin. It’s always great to include nutritious foods that are high in antioxidants ahead of the big day (and in general!), but I never advocate dramatically changing your diet in preparation for one, specific day.
When it comes to foods impacting your skin in the short term, it’s more about what you don’t eat.
Dairy
For clients prone to acne, especially hormonal acne, I always recommend limiting dairy intake during this week. It’s possible for dairy to trigger cystic breakouts, so going easy here can help reduce the chances of a flare-up. Some people may also be triggered by high amounts of sugar, so keep sweets to a minimum.
Alcohol and Sodium
The other two foods to watch during this week are alcohol and sodium. Both can lead to puffiness, and excessive alcohol consumption can cause dehydration. I love making my toner ice cubes to depuff my face while providing incredible dewy hydration.
And here’s how to manage under-eye puffiness.
Get Professional Treatments Well In Advance
Seeking out professional treatments ahead of a big event can be tempting, especially if your skin isn’t quite where you want it to be. But if you’re going to do any treatments, they should be done WELL in advance. This is especially true if it’s a treatment you’ve never tried before.
Whether it’s laser, microneedling, injectables, a chemical peel, extractions, or anything in between, be sure to get your treatment at least a month out. If you want to give your skin a smoothing, retexturizing treatment at home, try my 7-day skincare challenge.
Don’t Try New Skincare Products
During the week leading up to a big event, the last thing you want to do is experiment with new skincare products. Trust me, consistency is key. By trying something new, you risk having a negative reaction that could take a while to correct.
Focus on Soothing Hydration
In general, the focus this week should be on keeping the skin hydrated and soothed. Don’t throw too many strong active ingredients at it. The goal is to have smooth, moisturized skin as a canvas for your makeup look. You don’t want to risk irritation as this can lead to bumpy, red, or textured skin.
One great way to prepare during this time is to up your use of a hydrating mask. If you’re breakout-prone and want to deliver uber hydration, try Rapid Response Detox Masque. Using this multiple times a week will increase the water content in your skin to make it nice and bouncy. If you struggle with puffiness, you can keep this in the fridge for an extra cooling effect.
Consider Cutting Back on Retinoids
Retinoids are hands-down one of the best ingredients for beautiful, glowing skin. But if you use a prescription, you know all too well that dryness and flakiness can be side effects. If this tends to happen to you, I suggest cutting your retinoid out a week ahead of your event. You can add it back in right after, but this will ensure your skin is smooth and flake-free for your important day.
Exfoliate
Speaking of keeping skin smooth and flake-free, exfoliation is key. Triple Berry Smoothing Peel two days before an event is amazing for truly giving a glow. I’m really proud of this peel because it gives professional results at home without irritating the skin. (Again, make sure you’ve used it before, and don’t try anything new right before your event.)
You can also use a physical scrub after you rinse off the peel by using Triple Berry Smoothing Scrub. It’s a two-step exfoliation method. This speeds up the exfoliation process and is a great way to quickly achieve brighter-looking skin.
Lastly, don’t forget to treat the skin on your body the same way you would on your face. Use an exfoliating towel, like the Back & Body Buffing Towel, to buff away dull-looking skin and clear clogged pores (including hard-to-reach areas like the back!).
If You Get a Pimple, No Picking!!
I know it’s so stressful to get a zit in the week leading up to an event, and this makes the urge to mess with it stronger than ever. But the worst thing you can do in this situation is pick at your skin! Having a blemish is no fun, but trust me, it’s much easier to cover with makeup than a scab or a wound.
If you do have a blemish, apply Anti Bump Solution, which is non-drying. You can also use a high-frequency wand to shrink it using the “sparking” method, as demonstrated on my own chin breakout here.
If you do still have a blemish the day of, apply a non-drying cortisone cream. Once it’s dry, apply moisturizer on top. The cortisone cream will help with redness and swelling, which will make it less obvious so that it can be easily disguised with makeup.
Skin Care the Day Of Your Event
Once the big day arrives, you’ll want to keep things simple.
Stay Hydrated and Boost Your Circulation
On the day of your event, you’ll want to focus on getting plenty of hydration both inside and out! Our skin looks best when it has good circulation, so if you can, make time to go for a walk or do some yoga (or a workout of your choice) to get your breath flowing. This can also help calm any nerves you may be feeling.
If you’re pressed for time and can’t fit a workout in, try my 2-minute trick for glowing skin.
At-Home Tools
If you’re a fan of at-home devices, focus on the ones that will create a visible change for the big day.
My personal favorite is handheld microcurrent devices. They help bring a more lifted appearance to the face, and they can also help a bit with de-puffing. You’ll get the best results by starting to use your device at least ten days before an event, but most people will also see a positive change by using it day of.
Another option is gua sha or other massage tools. These are great for lymphatic drainage massage, which is great for a dewier complexion because it stimulates circulation and blood flow to bring more nutrients to the skin. That said, if you’re very prone to redness or have lots of active breakouts, I would skip this.
Keep Your Skincare Simple
The most important thing today is that your skincare is compatible with your makeup. The goal is wearability and longevity, so I prefer avoiding too many oils. These can make your makeup slip around. You also don’t want your makeup pilling, which can start to happen if you layer too many skincare products underneath. For this reason, I usually recommend that clients keep their makeup-prep skincare super simple.
After cleansing your skin, I keep it to around four products.
A Hydrating Mask
The morning of, use whichever hydrating gel mask you’ve been using to start things off on the right foot.
An Essence Toner
Once you’ve rinsed off your mask, move on to an essence. An essence is basically just an amped-up toner, and it deeply infuses your skin with hydration. Again, hydration is the name of the game because it’s key to your makeup looking seamless. My go-to is Moisture Infusion Toner.
Moisturizer
Next up, a moisturizer for your skin type.
Those with oily/combination skin should use something with a lotion texture as opposed to a heavy cream. Sheer Moisture Lotion works beautifully.
If your skin leans dry, Skin Recovery Balm restores the skin barrier and makes it feel butter-y soft and brings out your inner glow.
A Brightening Eye Cream
Last but not least, a brightening eye cream like Vitamin C Eye Brightener. It reduces dark under-eyes over time, but it also has light-reflecting properties that make this area look instantly brighter. Its lightweight texture makes it absolutely perfect under concealer.
I hope these tips helped and that they allow you to focus on the fun and excitement of your big day while making your skin the star of the show — and glow.
Celebrity Esthetician & Skincare Expert
As an esthetician trained in cosmetic chemistry, Renée Rouleau has spent 30 years researching skin, educating her audience, and building an award-winning line of products. Her hands-on experience as an esthetician and trusted skin care expert has created a real-world solution — products that are formulated for nine different types of skin so your face will get exactly what it needs to look and feel its best. Trusted by celebrities, editors, bloggers, and skincare obsessives around the globe, her vast real-world knowledge and constant research are why Marie Claire calls her “the most passionate skin practitioner we know.”
