OUR EXPERT GUIDE TO ACHIEVING RED-CARPET RADIANCE
We’ve all admired the glowing skin of celebrities as they grace the red carpet. But achieving that camera-ready complexion isn’t just a matter of good genes. It’s the result of a carefully curated, high-performance skin care routines. Whether it’s prepping for the Met Gala, wedding or any special event you have coming up, achieving radiant, red-carpet-worthy skin requires expert knowledge, precision and the right treatments.
With that in mind, we’ve caught up with two renowned professionals in the beauty industry, Dr. Jennifer Doyle and Dr. Swera Rai to walk us through everything from the essential ingredients to include in your regimen to the cutting-edge treatments that’ll help you achieve a picture-perfect complexion.
So, without further ado it’s time to get your skin ready for the spotlight.
IN THIS ARTICLE
- Meet The Experts
- How Does Red-Carpet Skin Care Differ From Your Typical Routine
How Far In Advance Should You Start Prepping Your Skin For A Big Event What Are The Celebrity-approved Treatments To Get Ahead Of A Big Event Our Expert’s At-home Skin Care Tips For A Red-carpet Ready Complexion The Dos And Don’ts Of Red-carpet Ready Skin - More Red-Carpet Skin Care
MEET THE EXPERTS
- Dr Jennifer Doyle, Consultant oculoplastic surgeon and aesthetic practitioner
Dr Sweta Rai, Doctify-rated dermatologist
HOW DOES RED-CARPET SKIN CARE DIFFER FROM YOUR TYPICAL ROUTINE
Red-carpet skin care is all about achieving a glowing complexion that celebrities can proudly sport on one of the biggest nights of their careers. It’s far more than just a daily regimen — it’s an elevated, high-performance approach that uses advanced treatments and luxury products to achieve a luminous complexion for special occasions. So, in short, a red-carpet routine differs from your everyday routine in several ways including:
The focus on targeted treatments: While your typical skin care routine may focus on basic cleansing, moisturising and sun protection, red-carpet skin care goes deeper. It typically consists of specialised treatments like facials, microdermabrasion, chemical peels and LED light therapy. These treatments are designed to exfoliate, brighten and revive the skin, often offering instant results.
The incorporation of luxury products: Red-carpet routines often incorporate high-end, luxury skin care (AKA the formulas you’re saving for a special event and not using daily) that feature potent ingredients like peptides, retinoids and antioxidants. These blends are designed for maximum effectiveness, delivering smoother looking skin with visible results in a short amount of time.
Making time for pre-event preparation: The timeline for red-carpet skin care often includes a strict regimen leading up to the big event. Most will begin their preparations weeks in advance, incorporating intensive treatments, hydration techniques and even diet changes to ensure their skin is in peak condition.
Ensuring an instant glow: Last by no means least is the focus on instant results. Unlike a typical skin care routine that work effectively over time, red-carpet treatments are designed for a glow-up in the short turn around – some as fast as right before an event. To achieve this, we suggest using hydrating masks, glow serums and illuminating primers that give complexions an immediate, camera-ready radiance.
HOW FAR IN ADVANCE SHOULD YOU START PREPPING YOUR SKIN FOR A BIG EVENT
Now we know the primary difference between red-carpet and everyday radiance, it’s time to understand what you need to consider to get that covetable, camera-ready complexion. So how far in advance should we start preparing?
“Ideally, skin care should be a consistent routine, but for those working toward a specific event, I recommend starting at least three months in advance. This allows time to optimise your skin care, introduce any active ingredients and schedule any in-clinic treatments like lasers or peels. This way, you skin has time to respond and truly glow on the day.” says Dr Jennifer Doyle.
But don’t worry, if you don’t have three months left before your event, “last minute superficial chemical peels focussing on facial pigmentation can be done within a week of a big event” adds Dr Sweta Rai.
WHAT ARE THE CELEBRITY-APPROVED TREATMENTS TO GET AHEAD OF A BIG EVENT
“In the lead-up to red carpet events, celebrities tend to opt for treatments that enhance skin luminosity without significant downtime” explains Dr Jennifer Doyle. “For major events like the Met Gala celebrities tend to focus on subtle yet effective enhancements for increasing skin radiance and an even skin tone and reduction in fine lines and wrinkles. Common in-office procedures to achieve the above would be a gentle superficial chemical peel, skin brightening and mild laser treatments” continues Dr Sweta Rai.
OUR EXPERT’S AT-HOME SKIN CARE TIPS FOR A RED-CARPET READY COMPLEXION
Preparing for a big event, doesn’t always have to include in-clinic treatments. Oh no, many red-carpet routines can happen from the comfort of your own home. Consistent, high-quality skin care is key. Dr Jennifer Doyle outlines the non-negotiables in her routine and what she recommends to her patients for the foundation of glowing, healthy skin
A gentle but effective cleanser
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A potent vitamin c serum for antioxidant protection and brightness
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Retinol to refine texture and tone
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And a broad-spectrum SPF every single day
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THE DOS AND DON’TS OF RED-CARPET READY SKIN
DO
- Stick to what your skin knows and loves in the days leading up to the event. This isn’t the time for experimenting.
Utilise ice packs on the skin. This reduces inflammation and close open pores. - Use a daily moisturiser. These creams assimilate easily on the skin to add to your glow.
- Incorporate hot and cold therapy into your lifestyle (in a moderate manner) in the lead up to your big event as it’s known to have natural health benefits and contributes to radiant appearances.
Invest in a broad-spectrum SPF. this is the golden rule to skin care and should be done daily, not just in preparation for a big event. Use a vitamin C serum. Vitamin C is known for its brightening and antioxidant properties. Applying a vitamin C serum in the morning can help even out skin tone, reduce dark spots and promote radiance, ensuring your skin looks fresh and luminous. Prep your skin the night before. The night before an event, use a night cream or overnight mask to ensure your skin is well-nourished and plump. Consider adding a night serum that focuses boosting skin elasticity too.
DON’T
- Introduce new active ingredients into your week the week or two before a big event. Potent actives like vitamin C, retinols and acids can cause irritation or sensitivity if your skin isn’t already acclimated. Stick to what your skin knows in the days leading up to the event. If you’re unsure on what ingredients to avoid, speak to your dermatologist as they can recommend targeted skin care without irritation.
- Underestimate the power of consistency. Glowing skin is never the result of one treatment — it’s the cumulative effect of a good skin care routine, regular treatments and looking after your skin from the inside out. Hydration, sleep, and diet are often overlooked, but they make a huge difference in how your skin behaves and looks on the big day.
Over do it with your make up. Less is often more. While you might want hight coverage, piling on heavy cosmetics can sometimes make the skin appear cakey or unnatural. Opt for light layers and use a dewy foundation or highlighter to enhance your natural radiance. Neglect your neck and décolletage. Red-carpet-ready skin isn’t just about your face – the neck and décolletage are often exposed too, so it’s important to treat these areas with the same care as your face. Moisturise, exfoliate and protect these areas with sunscreen to maintain an even tone and prevent premature signs of aging. Don’t forget to remove make up properly in the lead up or after the event. Failing to cleanse properly can lead to clogged pores, breakouts and dull skin. Use a gentle make up remover, followed by a deep-cleansing facial wash to ensure all make up, dirt and impurities are removed.
MORE RED-CARPET SKIN CARE
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With the right preparation, skin care solutions and expert tips, you’ll be ready to shine just as brightly as any celebrity on the red carpet, because let’s face it… glowing skin is always within reach, no matter the occasion.
Cult Beauty’s Senior SEO Copywriter, Trifonia started out in the industry when bold brows were just becoming a ‘thing’, and shares a passion for all things fashion and beauty. Currently embracing her curly girl journey (after endless years of straightening her strands), she is finally reverting to her natural ways! When Triffy isn’t busy testing out the latest curl-saving solutions, you’ll find her binging the latest reality TV show or on a long walk listening to her ever-evolving country music playlist.
