Big Night Out? Beauty Experts Share Their Best Skincare & Makeup Tips For Getting Party-Ready
Start the year right with these tips and tricks from industry experts
Take the guesswork out of prepping for a special occasion with beauty secrets that 13 industry insiders swear by. From founder of Anastasia Beverly Hills Anastasia Soare’s brow tips to entrepreneur and influencer Kim Lim’s self-care routine, read on for their advice.
Tips for surviving the new year: Drink lots of water, take your vitamins, and try to rest as much as possible. No matter how tired you are, always remove your makeup thoroughly and moisturise properly. Your skin will thank you the next day. Additionally, I’ll avoid being out in the sun, and refrain from eating foods or going to places that will trigger my allergies.
The one product or ritual you can’t go without: My day is usually hectic, so I really appreciate the time I take to unwind before calling it a night. This ritual includes lighting a candle to set the mood, thoroughly cleansing my skin, taking a warm bath or shower (depending on how fast I want to get to bed), and throwing on my Baby Drops Mask. Then I’ll spend five to 10 minutes on breathing exercises and practising mindfulness to clear my thoughts and set my intentions.
The 2023 beauty trends that you’re excited about: Bold, dramatic looks like wearing a pop of neon or sparkly embellishments on the brows and hair. But the most interesting trend to me is the futuristic look, with metallics and perhaps some holographic eyeshadow or highlighter. It’d be really cool to have a futuristic-looking Kim NFT!
Professor Augustinus Bader, Founder of luxury skincare brand Augustinus Bader
How do you get ready for a big day: My product recommendations are: The Cream, The Shampoo, The Leavein Hair treatment, and The Hair Oil. I personally really enjoy a steam bath to relax and prep the skin before applications. It’s very easy to convert a conventional shower into a steam shower with a reasonable budget.
How do you get ready before a big event: I’ll ensure that I get adequate rest, and keep my skin hydrated by masking daily a week before the occasion.
The one product you can’t do without: Glowfully’s 7-Day Brightening Rescue Mask, which has niacinamide and tranexamic acid, is my go-to for radiant skin. It helps brighten my complexion and lighten dark spots.
The 2023 beauty trends that you’re excited about: I’ve been watching more tutorials, and am really keen to try coloured eyeliners or be more daring with my eye makeup.
Tips for surviving the new year: Take some time off and go to the salon for a hydrating treatment to combat frizz.
The products you can’t do without: Goldwell’s Just Smooth Diamond Gloss and Curly Twist Hydrating Serum Spray. They are easy to use, and great for heat protection and adding shine to your strands.
Any skincare hacks to share: Incorporating acids and retinol into your skincare routine is definitely the way to go, and you should start investing in anti-ageing products in your 20s. That being said, not every skin type is the same, and what works for someone else might not work for you.
Here’s a little secret: I’ve been using the same facial wash for almost nine years now. It’s specially formulated for my skin, and is not available for sale anywhere.
A beauty favourite that you’ll take from 2022 to the new year: It’s nice to see that people are focusing more on anti-ageing and building a stronger foundation for their skin. I say this every year: Beauty trends and products come and go, but having healthy and youthful skin is evergreen.
How do you get ready for a big day: I’ll do a mini facial at home a day before the event by double cleansing with the Porcelain Essentials Pre Cleansing Milk and Porcelain Essentials Hydro Cleanser. I’ll follow up with a gentle yet brightening enzyme peel like Porcelain Essential Natural Skin Refiner, before finishing with my favourite Plus+ Hydrocare Bio-Cellulose Mask which really plumps up my skin, keeping it radiant and hydrated.
Tips for surviving the new year: I make time to work out, and space out the events in my calendar. This allows me to recharge my energy, and to be fully present for those I am with.
What should one avoid in the lead-up to a big event: Keep it simple. Don’t go for a facial or do brow embroidery a few days before. And never pick your pimple!
A beauty favourite that you’ll take from 2022 to the new year: Time-saving skincare makeup hybrids such as lipsticks infused with hyaluronic acid, so you don’t have dry lips.
Anastasia Soare, Founder of US Cosmetics brand Anastasia Beverly Hills
How do you get ready for a big day: I hate feeling rushed when I get ready, so even on mornings when I’m doing my basic routine, I’ll ensure that I factor in ample time. For days when I have to film and get glammed up for the cameras, it’s sometimes a three-hour process for makeup, hair and wardrobe.
What should one avoid in the lead-up to a big event: I would avoid making any drastic changes to your appearance right before big events. It often takes time to feel comfortable and confident in your styling routine, so to learn a completely new one just adds unnecessary stress. Save the transformative haircut, colour change or unfamiliar products for after.
The one product you can’t do without: I’ll never go without an ABH Brow Wiz. It handles both shading and fine detail, can fill areas of sparseness, as well as add an extremely soft and natural dimension. Basically, I can create perfect brows, no matter where I am.
Any hacks to share for getting ready for a big day or event: I always try to have an Instant Glow Facial at one of my spas. It incorporates cleansing, exfoliating, extraction, as well as lymphatic and firming massage. It uses an interesting combination of my products, culminating in Glow Drops, which has shimmer particles to give you that glow before a night out. Your skin will feel so amazing, you may even skip makeup – like I do.
What should one avoid in the lead-up to a big event: My philosophy is that every skincare routine should be simple yet effective. It should combat inflammation, deeply hydrate and nurture the skin, and be packed with highly active antiageing properties without the use of aggressive ingredients. When it comes to skincare ingredients, avoiding anything that contains harsh acids like retinol, peels or fragrances is key. I always advise against aggressive treatments like peels and lasers. A healing approach is what’s needed to promote healthy, youthful, glowing skin.
How do you care for your skin after a big night out: Pay attention to hydration, especially after consuming alcoholic beverages. Thoroughly remove makeup at the end of the day, no matter how late it is. And continue with regular exercise, and maintain a balanced diet amid all the festive offerings.
The most important beauty lesson that you’ve learnt so far: Less is more. This has been increasingly popular in recent years. Looking natural and rejuvenated is my personal goal for my patients. Going overboard with fillers has been gradually recognised as something to avoid, both by patients and clinicians. While beauty enhancement treatments and procedures such as botox and filler injections have their benefits, holistic skin rejuvenation treatments are gaining popularity.
How do you get ready for a big day: I take about an hour for nails, hair and makeup. I know that sounds crazy, but it’s actually very doable. I love having fresh-looking nails at events so I buy cute press-ons that take 10 minutes to put on – and they last the whole day. I get a bunch of them from Shopee. They’re so cheap, but look so good. I then prep my hair (I have 2C curls) while it’s damp, and use an oil serum to define my curls. It takes me a maximum of 45 minutes for makeup as I am actually very basic with my makeup. I do the same style all the time – it’s a soft cut crease with a little wing liner.
The one product you can’t do without: Innisfree’s Retinol Cica Repair Ampoule gives me the best glow the next day.
A beauty favourite that you’ll take from 2022 to the new year: The brown lip liner trend that’s so flattering on darker skin tones.
What’s your pre-event skincare routine: You can have the best product, but without a good base, it can’t work its magic. This is why I incorporate facial treatments such as a Silkpeel Dermalinfusion or Exilis at NU.U Medispa. I will also stick to my usual routine with products like Shiseido Ultimune for day, and Cle de Peau Le Creme and Le Serum for night.
Any beauty essentials for the party season: Shiseido Ultimune Eye. It is infused with 10 times the amount of concentrated extracts, and is said to diminish dark circles visibly in one week. The new Shiseido Technosatin Gel Lipstick is also a must-have. Most of my clients have super dry lips, and this new lipstick comprises over 68 per cent of skincare ingredients such as safflower oil.
Tips for surviving a big day out: I can’t stress enough about having adequate sun protection. There are topical and oral sunblock products to consider. If you’re outdoors, make sure you reapply your sunblock every two to three hours. Back home, cleanse your face thoroughly. Don’t sleep with your makeup on, and don’t forget to hydrate with regular application of moisturiser for skin, and plenty of water intake for the body.
The products you can’t do without: There are two skincare products that I swear by: a moisturiser suitable for my skin, and a broad-spectrum topical sunscreen with at least SPF30.
The most important beauty lesson that you’ve learnt so far: Prevention is definitely better than cure. If my clients are not sure where to start, my advice is to go for anti-ageing treatments to slow the signs of skin ageing
Text: Balvinder Sandhu/HerWorld