Probably one of the biggest things I've learnt from professional makeup artists is that your makeup will only look as good as the skin underneath.
And when do you want your makeup to look as flawless as possible for as long as possible?
For a special event!
Think: Your wedding day, birthday celebrations, being a wedding guest, work parties, anniversary dinners, work headshot day, or just any damn time you want to do a full glam makeup look (exhibit A below).
Up until a couple of years ago, I didn't know what skin prep was.
Turns out, I was wasting so much money on expensive and/or 'long-wearing' makeup for special occasions when I should've been spending time on skin prep in the lead up to big events.
If you think this might be you, keep scrolling for seven event skin prep and makeup mistakes you might be making, and what to do instead.
Event skin prep is about preparing your skin for seamless makeup application so you can get a smooth finish that'll wear well throughout the event (with minimal touch ups).
In fact, M.A.C. pro makeup artist and content creator Shanice Osita reckons it's "essential".
"Your makeup is only going to look and feel as good as how you prepare your skin," she tells me.
OK cool, but don't know where to start?
Start with a sheet mask like the Aspect Intense Hydration Sheet Mask (5 pack) then follow up with a moisturiser like the KORA Organics Turmeric Glow Moisturizer Jar that's iconic for leaving skin looking glowy and perfect for makeup application.
Ask any dermal therapist about wedding skin prep and they'll tell you to start treatments or a targeted skincare routine at least six months before the day.
Why? Because it takes consistent use over time to see visible results from active skin care.
And depending on the skin concern you want to target (like hyperpigmentation, acne scarring or a sensitive skin condition), you'll get best results from multiple treatments rather than just one session.
We cover professional skin treatments in this episode of the Dermal Diaries podcast below.
It's a scientific fact you'll get a huge blemish in the days leading up to a special event.
Not really, but I dare you to find me someone who's never had to deal with a pre-event pimple.
A pimple 24-48 hours out from an event doesn't necessarily mean your skin prep has been wasted - it all depends on how you tackle the pimple.
Our resident dermal therapist Yads Cauchi shared her expert pimple popping do's and don'ts in this Beauty IQ article.
Beauty IQ contributor Alisha Bhojwani also documented how she dealt with a throbbing blind pimple two days before Diwali celebrations in this article here, and this this YouTube video below.
Here are the main principles of pimple popping:
Do not touch, pick or pop until the pimple is ready or you'll be left with a weepy mess makeup won't hide.
Gently apply a topical salicylic acid spot treatment like Dermalogica AGE Bright Spot Fader to the area.
If you can, using an at-home LED device like LightStim For Wrinkles: LED Light Therapy will help to reduce inflammation and heal the skin.
Chuck a COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch on your spot to keep bacteria out and stop you from picking.
If and when the pimple has come to a visible head and is ready to pop, gently push inwards from either side of the blemish using clean fingers or a tissue, and don't try to force it.
Regular exfoliating peel products and skin treatments are excellent for event skin prep, but not the day or night before, OK?
Osita agrees and recommends "trying to avoid anything too abrasive in the lead up to the event".
This is because you can risk over-doing it, resulting in visible inflammation, redness, flaking or uneven texture.
Slow and steady wins the skin prep race, so think about adding a vitamin A product like Cosmedix Define Resurfacing Treatment into your routine at least four to six weeks before your event.
As for the 24 hours beforehand, Osita says "you're pretty safe with anything gentle, and that doesn’t take a long time for your skin to recover from."
"Soothing face masks, eye patches and even a gentle physical or chemical exfoliant will do the trick!"
Can you use a sheet mask at night? Absolutely, go for your life.
But if you've only got one sheet mask on hand, pop it in the fridge and then apply it on the morning of the event.
The cool temperature will reduce puffiness and get blood circulating for visible radiance, while ensuring the skin is calm, hydrated and ready for seamless makeup application.
Aspect Intense Hydration Sheet Mask (5 pack) is a current favourite within the Adore team.
A bit bougie as far as sheet masks go, but worth it.
Congrats, we've made it to actually doing your makeup for your special occasion. Fun!!!
Although the makeup you choose plays a part, think of the skin care you layer underneath as the foundations for your makeup masterpiece.
Osita says to choose products that will counteract your main skin concerns.
"If your skin is dry, dehydrated or sensitive, choose products that have emollient ingredients such as shea butter and squalene to help form a protective barrier on the surface of the skin to hold moisture in."
"Combination, oily or blemish-prone skin types are suited to serums and moisturisers containing humectants like glycerin and hyaluronic acid because the water magnets draw moisture into the skin, without feeling too rich."
I can't recommend KORA Organics Turmeric Glow Moisturizer Jar highly enough as a glowy, dewy moisturiser under makeup for drier skin types.
As for oiler skin-havers, Dermalogica BioLumin-C Gel Moisturiser 50ml is the radiant lightweight gel AB staffer Hannah swears by in her oily skin foundation routine.
The final rule of event skin prep school is... thou shalt never skip primer.
"Primer is like armour that protects the skin from absorbing your makeup," Osita says.
"Without primer, your skin can be tricked into thinking your foundation is moisturiser, so it sucks it up, leaving your base looking patchy or causing it to wear off faster."
"When you use the correct primer for your skin, it should prolong the wear of your makeup and make it feel so much more comfortable."
OK, so which primer? Choose one based on your main skin concern:
Shiny t-zone = M.A.C Cosmetics Studio Fix Mattifine 12Hr Shine-Control Primer 30ml
Enlarged pores = MAKE UP FOR EVER Step 1 Pore Minimizer Primer 30ml
Dull skin tone = Benefit That Gal Color Corrector & Dullness Primer - Lavender
Dryness and dehydration = Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré Moisturiser
All-rounder/multi-tasker = Ultra Violette Supreme Screen SPF 50+ Hydrating Facial Sunscreen
Watch more about why makeup artists use primers when creating event makeup looks in this YouTube video below.
And that concludes this TED Talk on event skin prep!
Do you need to go out and buy all of these products or do every single step before your next special occasion? No.
You can absolutely use similar products you have on hand at home, and pick and choose steps depending on your budget, time frame and care factor.
Oh, and one last thing.
Have a bloody good time and enjoy yourself!
Want to catch up on Ask Amy topics you've missed?
Ask Amy: Is there a product I can use to wake up with glowier skin?
Ask Amy: Help! How do I stop my makeup from looking patchy and flaky?
Ask Amy: How can I keep my frizzy hair looking smooth and healthy coming into a sweaty summer?
Ask Amy: I’m a retinol and vitamin A skincare beginner, where do I start?
