How to Get Your Skin Ready for an Event

When it comes to looking your best at a big event, having glowing, beautiful skin probably tops your list of priorities. You can have the right dress, the most stunning shoes, and a beautiful hairstyle, but if your skin doesn’t look as radiant as you’d like, it can put a damper on your entire day. 

Whether it’s a wedding or a fancy holiday party, you may want to incorporate a few extra steps in your skin care routine in the weeks leading up to the big day to help get your complexion into shape. Below, find some skin care tips to help prep your skin leading up to any important events your schedule might hold.

1. Add an Exfoliator to Your Nighttime Beauty Routine

If your skin is looking a little on the dull side, try exfoliating the surface of your skin with an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) like glycolic acid. The L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives 5% Glycolic Acid Peeling Toner is formulated with glycolic acid to help gently yet effectively resurface a dull, uneven skin tone. The glycolic acid also increases cell turnover, while the aloe vera will soothe and moisturize the skin.

At night, apply the toner with your fingers or a cotton pad, then sweep it across the face.

To use, gently smooth a pad over cleansed skin at night. Since AHAs can increase your skin’s photosensitivity, be sure to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen in the morning. We love the L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Triple Power Day Lotion SPF 30 because it’s a moisturizer and sunscreen in one, and it also works to reduce wrinkles and brighten skin.

2. Boost Your Glow With a Vitamin C Serum

Adding a vitamin C serum to your routine will also help banish dull skin. The L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives 12% Pure Vitamin C + E + Salicylic Acid Serum uses a blend of vitamin C, vitamin E and salicylic acid to restore skin’s radiance and reduce the appearance of enlarged pores and fine lines. Apply it in the morning and evening after cleansing and before moisturizing.

3. Get Your Mask On

If you don’t have time to hit up the spa before your big event, don’t worry — there are plenty of at-home face masks to choose from. Over time, harsh environmental factors and pollution can damage skin, leaving your complexion looking dull and tired. Since that’s the last thing you want your skin to look like if you’re going to be posing for lots of pics, that’s where the L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Mask Detox & Brighten Treatment Mask comes in handy.

Formulated with three clays (kaolin, montmorillonite, and Moroccan lava) and enhanced with charcoal, it helps draw out impurities, dirt, and pollution and reduce the look of dull skin. Apply an even layer to clean, dry skin, leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes, then rinse. Use the mask three times a week for best results.

4. Fake a Golden Glow

If you want an extra glow before your event, try a faux tan. The L’Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Facial Drops, Fragrance-Free are easy to use at home, as all you need to do is cleanse, exfoliate and dry your skin skin, then mix five to ten drops of the self-tanner into your moisturizer. Smooth the mixture over your face and neck. Let your skin dry and try to avoid washing your face 6-8 hours after applying. Use the facial drops before bed a week before your event, then every day as needed to keep your tan going. 

For the rest of your body, you can use the L’Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Water Mousse. Shake well, then smooth the mousse over freshly cleansed and exfoliated skin, making sure to wash your hands immediately after use to avoid any staining or transfer. For a longer-lasting tan, you can apply it three times over a period of two days.

5. Don’t Skip Eye Cream

To banish dark circles or under-eye puffiness, incorporate an eye cream into your daily regimen. The L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Cell Renewal Anti-Aging Eye Cream Treatment is formulated with an exclusive antioxidant recovery complex to reduce the look of dark circles, visibly brighten skin around the eye area, and smoothen fine lines.

6. Extend the Love to Your Entire Body

If a plunging, backless, or short dress is part of your big day, you’ll definitely want to make sure that your skin looks as good as it can from head to toe. 

Before showering, gently scrub your skin with a dry brush or use a scrub in the shower to help exfoliate dull, dead skin cells from the surface. When you hop out of the shower, apply a body lotion and a body oil to damp skin to help lock in that hydration.

Next: 5 Easy Steps to Create Your Holiday Makeup Look

Edited by: Témi Adebowale, Photographer: Chaunte Vaughn, Art Director: Hannah Packer, Associate Creative Producer: Becca Solovay, Production Assistant: Jason Parigian, Digital Tech: Sam Kang, Photo Assistant: Hannah Lewis-Lopes, Makeup Artist: Jonet Williamson, Hair Stylist: Akihisa Yamaguchi, Wardrobe Stylist: Melina Kemph, Wardrobe Assistant: Kayla Martinez, Prop Stylist: Katrina Rozeville, Prop Assistant: Zach Molina, Model: Alexandra Cunningham