Party season is upon us, and it’s time to upgrade our “getting ready” routines.
After years of disrupted silly seasons, this one is set to be bigger than ever, so it’s important to get our pre-party pampering just right for looks that last all day (and stay put through the night).
While we’re always willing to try out the latest eye makeup trend beloved by TikTok, or a hairstyle direct from the runway, the secret to building a flawless party look starts with the proper preparation of your skin.
We asked marie claire readers for their tips on how they’re putting their skin first for the ultimate glammed-up glow.
Start From Scratch
For Lucy, 37, it all starts with going back to basics, beginning with a clean slate.
“I try to make the time to do a proper cleanse, tone and moisturise as the first step of my party prep,” she says.
“It’s not always possible if I’m heading to back-to-back events, or going out straight from work, but when I can, I start my skincare routine from scratch by washing away other makeup, dirt and oil and then applying a super hydrating moisturiser for dewy, plump skin.”
Louise, 43, follows a similar mindset when getting ready, with party-prep sometimes starting a few days out.
“I exfoliate my whole body in the shower, then shave my legs and apply fake tan the day before. I use a really hydrating moisturising cream overnight, so I wake up with super-plump skin!” she says.
“When applying skincare pre-makeup, my must-haves are a Vitamin C serum for glow, and a wrinkle-reducing eye cream. I always leave a few minutes between each step so each serum and cream can fully absorb properly, and I get all the benefits!”
A Bit Of A Boost
For Jess, 33, giving her skin a bit of extra love is a party-season essential.
“Wearing more makeup, staying out later and the increased sun exposure and humidity in summer means my skin always ends up looking a little worse for wear at this time of year” she says.
“I try to book in a hydrating, rejuvenating facial (or two) as an extra special treat. Not only does it deeply cleanse and exfoliate my skin so it looks fresh and radiant, but it serves as a little ‘me-time’ so I can recharge my social battery in between events.”
To stay fresh between treatments (or if you’re in a bit of a pre-party hurry), use a sheet mask for around 15 minutes before applying makeup so your skin can soak up an extra dose of nourishing and hydrating ingredients.
The “Wow” Factor For Your Skin
Beloved by celebrities, the HydraFacial at Clear Skincare is a multi-faceted, non-surgical procedure that uncovers radiant skin by gently exfoliating and resurfacing.
Painless suction removes debris and impurities from pores before intense serums are used to quench and nourish the skin. HydraFacial then saturates the skin’s surface with brightening antioxidants and peptides to maximise your glow.
The best part? It’s suitable for all skin types, is pain-free, requires no downtime, so you can get glowing (and get going) even quicker.
Scrub Up Well
A perfect pout is often a party priority, but there’s much more to it than just applying a slick of gloss before stepping out the door.
“A lip scrub is my secret weapon for smooth, soft lips,” says Jas, 28.
“I exfoliate my face and my skin, so why not my lips? I don’t know how I ever survived without it.”
Gently massage onto clean lips to buff away flakiness and dead skin, then rinse off. Choose one with extra-nourishing, lip-loving ingredients, like vitamin E or rosehip oil, or one with a slight colour to leave your lips with a soft tint.
A Flawless Finish
The dewy, glowing skin trend is here to stay. While starting with healthy, hydrated skin goes a long way, Mia, 31, uses illuminating makeup products to finish her look.
“I’m all about a natural glow that looks skin-like and just lets my healthy skin take centre stage,” she says.
Her tip? “I use a foundation that not only illuminates but blurs and smooths the look of my skin without looking overdone. It’s like I’m wearing no makeup at all, and my natural glow gets to have its moment, but I still feel like I’ve put in a bit of effort to my glam.”
If your look calls for a less shimmery, more dew-like finish, ditch the highlighter for a beauty balm, or pat a few drops of hydrating serum to the high points of your face to catch the light.
Clear Skincare want you to have your best skin, so you can feel free to be your best you. Doctor-developed and results-driven, they are one of the country’s most experienced skin, acne, cosmetic injecting and laser hair removal clinics with over 90 locations across Australia and New Zealand.
Brought to you by Clear Skincare.
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