How To Prep Your Skin For Party Season

Could your skin use a pick-me-up before your next holiday soirée? We’ve got you covered with advice from the pros. We asked Jennifer Brodeur, the founder of Montreal-based skincare brand JB Skin Sävvi and a celebrity facialist who counts Oprah and Michelle Obama among her clients, and Lainey Lui, a senior correspondent at ETalk and red carpet fixture, to share their best party prep skincare tips for a glow that’s guaranteed to get you noticed.

Sleep better

It’s easier said than done, but a few good nights’ sleep in the week leading up to an event can go a long way to get you party-ready. “When you’re not sleeping enough, that’s when you’ll get more redness and inflammation and start to get dry patches,” says Brodeur.

And it’s not just how much shut-eye you’re getting that matters but also what you’re sleeping on. Brodeur swears by silk pillowcases, which are better for your skin and hair as they minimize irritation and frizz-causing friction.

Do less

One of the most common mistakes Brodeur sees clients make in the week leading up to a big day is overdoing it with treatments and harsh ingredients. Because stress disrupts the skin barrier, it can increase the odds of an adverse reaction to active ingredients, including those that are generally well-tolerated.

The lead-up to an event is also not the time to try something new; stick to your tried-and-true routine and, if you decide to get professional skin treatments, book them with someone you trust, who can guide you through the best course of action.

Time your treatments

If you’re looking to top up your Botox or get a peel before the holiday season, book your appointments for early December. In the winter, Lui loves to book a Clear + Brilliant laser treatment, which improves skin texture and hyperpigmentation.

In between parties, Brodeur recommends what she calls “LED quickies,” a.k.a. mini facials with LED light therapy, which are great for reducing inflammation and redness without downtime.

Level up your hydration

With face masks

“The night before an event, I always do two masks,” says Lui. First, she draws out impurities with a charcoal formula. Then, she rehydrates her skin with a moisturizing sheet mask.

Brodeur also recommends masking. She likes to start with a spritz of skincare-enriched facial mist, then apply a few drops of face oil before placing a sheet mask on top. She leaves it on for 20 minutes to get skin ready for makeup application.

With nourishing oils

For Brodeur, face oil is non-negotiable, especially in winter. Look for one that’s easily absorbed and contains omega fatty acids, like sunflower-seed or argan oil, to lock in moisture. Vitamin C can be irritating for some people, but if you can handle it, it’s a great way to brighten your complexion. “A drop of oil helps make skin plumper, so when you put foundation on, it looks really uniform.”

She recommends the L’Extrait Peoni face oil ($175) from her own skincare brand, which is one of Michelle Obama's favourite skincare products. It contains sunflower seed oil, peony root extract and licorice root to soothe and repair.

With souped-up mists

Packed with gentle ingredients (like hyaluronic acid, ceramides and vitamins C and E), a mist is a one-stop shop for a refreshed complexion. “It rehydrates dry skin immediately,” says Brodeur. Stash one in your clutch so you can refresh your makeup and revitalize your skin as you go from party to party.

Take a break

If you can, let your skin breathe and go makeup-free the day of an event—just wash your face and your canvas is ready. Take a cue from Lui, and make the getting-ready process part of the experience. For her, a spa-like vibe and one of her mom’s homemade lotus root soups sets the vibe.

After a long night, remove your makeup and make sure to drink plenty of water. Brodeur also keeps sheet masks and a jade roller in the fridge to help her de-puff the next day.