December is beautiful, and it is also hard work for your skin. Late nights, a glass of wine (or three), salty food, dry heated rooms and more makeup than usual all show up on your face, often the morning after.
The good news: glowing party skin is not about one magic product the night before. It is about a few calm, well-timed steps. Here is the checklist I give my clients every December.
One week before
- Book your facial right before the event. A professional facial the day before or on the day itself gives the best glow: skin looks fresh, plump and calm, and makeup sits beautifully. Book early, December slots fill up fast.
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No time for a facial? Make one at home. The evening before, give yourself 20 minutes:
- Cleanser: a gentle cream or balm cleanser, lukewarm water.
- Exfoliation: a mild enzyme exfoliant, nothing strong.
- Serum: a hydrating or antioxidant serum.
- Mask: a hydrating sheet or gel mask for 10 to 20 minutes.
- Cream: seal it all in with your moisturiser.
- No new products. A new serum or peel right before a big night is the most common reason for a surprise breakout or irritation. Stay with what your skin knows.
- Go easy on strong actives. If your skin is sensitive, skip acids and retinol completely. If your skin tolerates them, use them a little less this week, and never on the same evening: acids one night, retinol another.
- Keep up your antioxidants every morning. They help your skin cope with stress, late nights and pollution.
Three days before
- Gentle exfoliation, once. A mild enzyme or acid exfoliant smooths the surface so makeup sits better. Do it three days before, never the night before.
- A hydrating mask in the evening. A sheet mask or a light gel mask, whatever your skin loves. Dry skin under makeup looks tired, hydrated skin looks fresh.
- Go easy on salt and alcohol. Both make skin look puffy and dull. Drink a glass of water for every glass of wine.
- Sleep. It sounds boring, but your skin does most of its repair at night. Two good nights before the party show more than any highlighter.
- Don't forget neck and lips. Apply your serum and cream down to the neck and décolleté, and use a lip mask every night.
On the day
- A morning cleanse for your skin type. Resistant skin: use a cleanser that activates blood circulation and the lymphatic system, to wake up the skin and reduce puffiness. Sensitive skin: a mild cleanser with lukewarm water.
- Two minutes of facial massage for a puffy face. Apply your antioxidant or hydrating serum so your fingers (or tool) glide. Then use gentle strokes from the centre of the face outwards and down the neck: they help drain fluid and bring a natural flush. With your fingertips, or with a gua sha if you have one.
- Layer hydration under makeup. A hydrating serum and a light moisturiser, then wait 5 minutes before foundation. This is the secret to makeup that doesn't crack by midnight.
- Less foundation, more skin. Use a thin layer where you need it and let healthy skin show. Glowing skin is the best base you can wear.
- Pack a mini kit. Lip balm, blotting papers and a small hand cream for the evening.
After the party
The night (yes, even at 3 am):
- Always take off your makeup. An oil or balm cleanser melts makeup and SPF in one minute. Sleeping in makeup blocks pores and leaves the skin dull and irritated.
- A simple night cream. Skip your actives tonight. Cleanse, moisturise, sleep.
- A big glass of water next to your bed.
The morning after:
- Cool compress, cold spoons or a collagen eye mask for puffiness.
- A depuffing mask. Choose one with caffeine that activates the lymphatic system, so the skin drains and looks fresher.
- Antioxidant serum, then moisturiser. Your skin had a long night, so give it support.
- Hands off. Don't pick at any spot that appeared overnight. It heals faster when you leave it alone.
Your skin, ready for every party
Party season doesn't have to cost your skin anything. Plan one treatment (or a home facial), keep your routine simple, and never skip your evening cleanse.
Want your skin at its best for a special evening?
Book a facial in my Berlin studio right before the big night, or an online consultation if you're not in Berlin.
