Whether it’s a birthday, gala, major holiday, or other special event, I’ve come to perfect the way that I like to prep my skin the night before, the morning of, and right before I do my makeup. This may be slightly different from my usual skincare routine because I place a particular emphasis on texture, hydration and glow, as makeup will cover up any dark spots. Here’s how I prep my skin for special events and some of my favorite products for doing so.
The NIGHT BEFORE:
1. Cleanse with Indie Lee Brightening Cleanser
This has been a consistent product in my routine for a while now. I like to cleanse with this product in particular because it is not too drying and, when left on for a few minutes, has exfoliating effects.
2. Exfoliate with Peach & Lily Super Reboot Resurfacing Mask
The goal is to glow and that’s what this product does. It may not happen immediately, but certainly the next day I can tell it’s worked its magic. It’s a mask that goes on like a polish. The product tingles at first but after a few seconds that subsides and after 20 minutes you wash it off! (Another product that’s especially good for giving you a next day glow is the Farmacy Beauty Honeymoon Glow serum. If you use this instead, use during the serum step of your routine.) Since AHA is an ingredient you shouldn’t really be using every single day, I time my use of them to align with any special events I may have.
3. Toner & Essence: Primera Miracle Seed Essence and Indie Lee CoQ-10 Toner
This is where the hydrating products come in. After I wash off the mask, I use an essence and a toner to prep my skin for serums and give an initial boost of hydration. Another toner I may use instead of Indie Lee’s is the Be the Skin Botanical Nutrition Power Toner.
4. Ampoule: Mizon Snail Repair Intensive Ampoule
If you’ve read about my experience with a 10 step Korean Beauty Routine, you’ll know just how much I love this product and need it in my routine. On a long term basis, it helps reduce the appearance of acne scars, on a short term (think daily) basis it improves the texture of my skin.
5. Serum 1: Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum
I started using this product back when I testing out a K-beauty 10 step routine, along with the Mizon Ampoule. When I took a break from it, my skin definitely revolted. This product does give that glass skin effect almost immediately. I generally feel like it helps smooth texture and enhance hydration.
6. Serum 2: Indie Lee Daily Vitamin Infusion
This is a regular in my routine and for the most part I don’t like going without it. It’s an oil but it dries of fairly quickly and is not too heavy. Honestly, its one of my all time favorite serums.
7. Moisturizer: Sunday Riley Tidal Brightening Enzyme Water Cream
This moisturizer is a staple in my routine, as I started using it in November of 2018 when I first got it as a part of my HelloAva Beauty Box. It has hyaluronic acid as a main ingredient which is key for retaining moisture.
8. Sleeping Mask: Glow Recipe Watermelon + AHA Sleeping Mask
I told you hydration was the name of the game. So yes, after my moisturizer, or immediately before I go to sleep–whichever comes later–I’ll use this sleeping mask. I genuinely feel like THIS is what sealed the deal in terms of a next morning glow. It makes sense that this is the case because it has hyaluronic acid and AHA which are great for adding moisture and glow. My only suggestion would be to pat and not rub this product into your skin because it starts to roll if you roll it in.
THE DAY OF:
It’s the day of the event. I wake up with glowing and bright skin because of the routine I followed the night before. All is well and I am ready to start preparing for my event but I once again have to do a little bit more to get my skin extra ready. I follow the routine from the night before with a few omissions and additions.
I still follow steps 1 and 3 with the brightening cleanser, essence and toner. After toner I go in with the Peach Slices Travel mask. If you follow me on Instagram, you know how much I’ve raved about this mask in the past. For some reason I stopped using it as often (probably because you have to leave it on for 20 minutes so if you don’t have the time to spare it can be easy to leave out.) Still, I know 100% that when I use this mask it makes ALL the difference after. It’s a must for any event where I want my skin to look amazing and my makeup to sit on top of my skin nicely.
After I remove the mask, the rest of the routine is pretty straight forward. I jump straight to the Indie Lee Daily Vitamin Infusion and then follow up with the Sunday Riley Water Cream. I don’t use as many serums or products on the day of. As a last step for moisture, but also to prep my skin for makeup, I’ll use the YSL Top Secret Instant Moisture Glow. It doubles as a moisturizer and primer. Then my skin is ready for my makeup routine! If you’re wondering where SPF is in my routine, I usually use a primer that has SPF. But for the most part these my special events occur at night so I can place less emphasis on SPF.
Be sure to be on the look out for a video on how I typically do my makeup for big events and let me know: what are some of your favorite ways to prep your skin for big or special events?
“You clothed me with skin and flesh, and you knit my bones and sinews together.” Job 10:11
