Very Important Party: how to prepare your face for makeup if you have an important event

These tips will help you look your best – if you want, use them every day, not just for the really big events.

“I tell all my clients to drink water before an important event,” says New York makeup artist Alexandra Gilleo. “Plus, eating foods high in antioxidants will help you glow from within the next day.”

If possible, sleep well before an important event. “Sleep and rest are the best preparation for the skin,” says cosmetic chemist Charlene Valledor. Before going to bed, apply a hydrating face mask. Charlene recommends choosing one that contains ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, aloe vera, shea butter, squalene, and marula.

Try to avoid using potentially irritating products like retinol and strong chemical peels the night before the party. Even if no problems have arisen before, the risk is not worth it: the active ingredients can cause irritation, redness or even dermatitis.

Use ice before applying skin care products. It’s up to you how you do it: you can roll scoops of ice cream on your face, dip them in a bowl of ice water, or dip a towel in them and press the cloth against your skin. This hack has been around for years, but recently it’s been buzzing again thanks to TikTok, where it’s been called the “model thing”. With this trick, you can get rid of puffiness and tighten the skin, creating a clean canvas for makeup. If a cold bath is not for you, use gua sha massage to stimulate lymphatic drainage.

The first thing that should come to the skin after cleansing is a hyaluronic acid serum. Apply it to a damp face – the substance will literally suck water into the dermis, giving it shine and elasticity and protecting it from dryness and flaking under makeup.

After the serum, apply a rich moisturizer — look for one that contains glycerin, aloe vera, or shea butter. “If you’re hosting an outdoor event, use a product with a low SPF – a high SPF is more likely to cause glare in photos,” says celebrity makeup artist Jamie Greenberg.

“Makeup containing oils will make the face look smoother and more hydrated,” says Greenberg. He advises looking for thinner priming oils (like squalene) and avoiding thick ones like coconut oil. Do not use products with oils for those with oily skin. It’s a bad idea to experiment right before a party – check on a typical day first to see if the oil will make the makeup “taste off”.

Read also: Butter oil: why we are afraid of facial oils and do not use them, but in vain

“It takes five to ten minutes to do it,” says Greenberg. “It will prevent streaks and blemishes and keep your skincare products working.”

When choosing a primer, pay attention to the type of foundation base – oil or silicone. As cosmetic chemist Javon Ford explains on his TikTok page, “If oil and silicone can be applied to water, then the reverse should not be done.”