So You’ve Got a Big Event Coming Up…everything you need to know about event skin prep

Listen up, party people- if you've got a wedding, reunion, vacation, graduation , birthday, date night or any other excuse to get dressed up and take approximately 437 photos, this one's for you. 

When a big event pops up on the calendar, it's only a matter of time before someone starts searching for "how to get glowing skin fast." While there are definitely a few tricks to help your skin look refreshed in a pinch, truly radiant skin doesn't happen overnight. Like most good things in life, it takes a little planning, consistency, and a little help from your favorite esthetician. So whether you've been planning ahead like the organized queen you are or you've just realized your event is next weekend, there are things you can do to help your skin look and feel its best.

Here's the skinny.

Real Talk: Skin prep takes time

The goal for all treatments on my menu is to help your skin and body work better long term. That typically takes some consistency with both in-studio treatments and at home skincare. That's because skin doesn't completely transform overnight. Most skin concerns happen over time, and they improve over time too. Your skin cells are constantly renewing themselves and treatments work by supporting that natural process. That's why one facial can leave you glowing, but a series of treatments can create lasting change. To see glowing results, getting in at least 3-6 facials is ideal- especially before a big event.

Best Practices:

Begin skincare treatments and homecare products 3-6 months before a big event.

Starting early gives your esthetician time to get to know your skin and adjust your products and treatments accordingly. If your goal is simply healthy, glowing skin, we may only need a few strategic treatments and some homecare tweaks. If you're dealing with acne, pos-acne marks/scars, sensitivity, or deeper expression lines, we need enough runway to make adjustments along the way. 

Out of Time?

Maybe you've been planning a wedding for a year, but forgot about your own skin. Maybe the reunion invitation showed up unexpectedly. Maybe you realized two weeks before vacation that your skincare routine consists of washing your face with whatever happened to be in the shower. Regardless of the reason, if time is not on your side- never fear. Your skin can look event ready even if it's not to the degree that you'd prefer. 

Fast Fixes:

A hydrating facial a few days before an event can work wonders. Dehydrated skin often exaggerates every little thing we'd rather not see. Fine lines can look deeper, texture appears rougher and makeup doesn't sit as smoothly. When skin is properly hydrated, everything tends to look softer, smoother and more radiant. Also, Ask your esthetician about taking home a serum with a peptide or an undereye cream with a little caffeine for a quick boost that's noticeable right away.

I Did The Work: Now it's time for icing on the cake

Finishing Touches:

So you've completed 3-6 treatments with your esthie...you little overachiever, you. Your skin is glowing, your acne is gone, your fine lines have basically disappeared. Now you're ready to see your moldy, old classmates of 30 years, get revenge on your ex, galivant across the French Riviera or walk down the aisle to the love of your life. But, hold the dream sequence babe... there's still a few finishing touches that you'll want to complete (and a few things to avoid)  to make sure you glow like the enchanted goddess you are.

-Limit inflammatory foods and drinks. Sugar and any substance that turns into sugar (i.e., alcohol, white breads, starchy foods) can cause inflammation that can lead to puffiness, dull skin and an overall sluggish feeling. To look and feel your best, limit them at least a couple weeks before an event.

-Stay consistent with your homecare products.  You're almost at the finish line and now is not the time to give up! I know it's tempting to skip your nightly face wash, or conveniently "forget" to put on that corrective serum because you're running late one morning. But consistently applying your skincare at home is one of the most beneficial things you can do. Even if you see your esthetician every 30 days, you have 60 chances to use good skincare products for every one time that she touches your face. 60 applications of product can lead to A LOT of improvement.

- Hydrate. And I don't just mean drink water. Use those electrolytes. Natural ones work best. Add a pinch of Himalayan salt and a squeeze of citrus to some water. Drink bone broth, or make yourself a smoothie with cucumbers and celery.

-Skip the coffee (if you can). Caffeine is a natural diuretic and can dehydrate you if you aren't careful. If you must have coffee, be sure to follow it up with some hydration as mentioned above.

-Prioritize Sleep. We all know how essential sleep is to your body's repair process. 8-10 hours of sleep consistently in the weeks leading up to an event will boost your glow and your mood. Limit screen time before bed and try wearing a sleep mask to optimize your REM Cycle time. 

- 3-7 days before your big event, go see your esthetician for one final treatment and a sprinkle of fairy dust. 

Last- Minute Mistakes to Avoid: We call these the "Big No-No's"

Nothing says "I have a wedding on Saturday" quite like panic-buying three new products on Thursday and then begging your esthetician for an after-hours, "damage control" appointment Friday night- after the new regimen blew up your face.

 So without further adieu, please avoid the following scenarios...your esthetician will thank you.

-Trying a new product right before an event (especially if it contains a high level of active ingredient). This is the equivalent of a science experiment. It may go well but it may also go very, very badly.

-Picking at a breakout. Oops! Stress did it again. Please don't pick- this makes breakouts worse 100% of the time. If there is an unsightly white head atop a blemish and you absolutely must get rid of it, here's what you need to do: Warm the area with a wash cloth for a few minutes, then wrap your index fingers in a folded tissue. Gently mound the blemish between the sides of your wrapped index fingers and begin to lightly squeeze and wiggle the skin below the blemish until it excretes the white fluid. Immediately apply a blemish gel or masque to the spot to sit overnight. 

-Scheduling an aggressive treatment or facial if you've never had it before. I get it, sometimes we think more is better. But trying a new treatment right before an event is a huge risk, no matter how promising it sounds. It's best to stick to what you know, so you know how your skin will respond. 

The Event Countdown: Two weeks, One week, 3 days

Two Weeks:

-Begin Limiting foods and drinks that leave you feeling puffy.

-Prioritize sleep

-Stay consistent with homecare

One Week Out:

-Go in for your final facial

-Focus on hydration

-Resist the urge to try anything new

Three Days Before:

-Keep things simple

-Hydrate

-Go to bed on time

So there you have it, party people. The secret to event-ready skin isn't a miracle product, a trendy TikTok hack, or a last-minute panic purchase. It's a combination of consistency, a little planning, and giving your skin the support it needs to do what it was designed to do.

Whether you've got six months or six days, don't underestimate the power of hydration, good sleep, a solid skincare routine and a skilled esthie in your corner.

Now go forth and be fabulous. Turn heads at the reunion. Dance all night at the wedding. Stun your ex with your inexplicable glow. Whatever adventure awaits, may your skin be radiant, your confidence be high and your camera roll be full of photos you actually want to post.