The Ultimate Skin Prep Routine for Flawless Party Makeup

As the party season approaches, it's tempting to jump straight for the bold colours and glitter - but the secret to long-lasting, professional looking makeup happens before any makeup touches your face. 

Proper skin preparation supports skin health, improves product performance and helps your makeup to stay put for longer. In this post, we'll break down effective skin prep, why each step matters and how to build a pre-makeup routine that keeps your complexion balanced, hydrated and ready for the busiest of festive schedules. 

The night before

Try an overnight mask

Cold, wintery weather can be rough on the skin, so to get your skin party ready, hydration is key. Invest in an overnight treatment that capitalises on your skin's nightly renewal process and helps to soften and smooth any dry patches. Look for nourishing ingredients such as ceramides, moisture-binding hyaluronic acid and plumping peptides to wake up looking revitalised.

 

On the day

Start fresh by cleansing

To get the best finish and longevity, you need to start with a clean, clear canvas (aka face).  Use a gentle cleanser to remove dirt, excess oil and any active ingredients used on your skin from the night before. For a fresh-faced glow, massage your face as you cleanse - this will stimulate blood flow to energise your complexion.

Sculpt & depuff

If you have been running on little sleep or one too many festive cocktails, don't skip this step! Use ice globes, a jade roller or chilled spoons to reduce puffiness and tighten pores. This quick refresh also boosts circulation, giving you a healthy glow and helping to erase signs of fatigue.

Pro tip: Grab a facial oil and glide a Gua Sha along the skin to circulate blood flow - bonus points if you keep it in the fridge! Whilst results are temporary, your skin will look more sculpted for your party.

Exfoliate to reveal radiance

Nothing dulls the skin like buildup and texture. Use a gentle exfoliant to remove dead skin cells and reveal a brighter, smoother surface. Select chemical exfoliants (such as AHAs or BHAs) for refining texture or a mild scrub if you prefer a physical polish. Follow instructions to the word - overdoing it can cause irritation - not what you want just before a party. 

Pro-tip: Follow with thirst-quenching hydrators.

Hydrate & moisturise for glowing skin

Apply a hydrating serum (hyaluronic acid is a great choice) followed by a lightweight moisturiser suited to your skin type. Hydrated skin helps your foundation to glide on more easily and prevents a cakey finish. 

Prime for a long-lasting finish

Primers are essential for a photo-ready look. The right primer can help to smooth uneven texture, even skin tone and can help your makeup to sit beautifully and last longer. When selecting your primer, consider your skin's needs. Mattifying or oil-control primers are great for oily or blemish-prone complexions. Those with dry skin should look for hydrating formulas containing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin. If you have redness, a colour-correcting primer can help to neutralise.

Pro tip: Don't apply too much! Start small and allow to dry before adding your base.

Prep lips for a perfect pout

Use a lip scrub to buff away any flakiness or dry patches and follow with a nourishing lip balm while you do the rest of your makeup. By the time you are ready to do your lips, they will be softened and smooth. 

Keep a mist on hand

Facial spritzes and mists are great for boosting product absorption between skincare steps and also for refreshing and rehydrating on the go. Finish your skin prep with a hydrating facial spritz to lock in moisture and enhance your natural glow.

 

Now for makeup!

The Skin Nerd's makeup expert, Leah reveals three of her top party season makeup tips!

Calm redness: A green colour corrector will help to neutralise any redness we see in our beautiful Irish skin - it will also provide a smooth base for makeup!

Use mineral makeup: Investing in expensive makeup but not checking that it is skin-friendly? Opt for lightweight, mineral makeup that lets your skin breathe and avoids clogging your pores. 

Begin with your eyes: A small but mighty tip is to always start with your eyes when doing dramatic or heavy makeup. This protects from any fallout and also gives you time to pop on an eye mask whilst you work on your eyes.