Beauty Breakdown: Our Full Guide To Big Event Skin Prep, Expert Tips + Products Included

As the holidays creep up on us, so will the occasions when we want our complexions to be a bit glowier than normal. Whether it's a celebration with family, a night out friends, or even a work party, sometimes you just want some extra oomph to make you look as radiant as the event at hand.

Just as models do for runway shows and celebrities for red carpets, you should be prepping your skin before an ounce of makeup touches your face. With the proper prep, your makeup will look better and stay on longer—so why not?

While holiday parties may be the most timely, big event prep is a must any time of year, so save this one to look back on next time you're going all out. Plus, these prep steps can be done on your everyday look should you feel inclined.

We believe that skin care is the baseline for everything. If your skin is prepped and primed, it only makes sense that your makeup will look better. Even if you have the most expensive foundation on the market, incorrectly prepping your skin (or not prepping it at all) can make that pricey product look subpar at best.

On the flip side, if you're working with a foundation that's less than spectacular, then your skin prep is the key to taking your base from rags to riches—yes, it's possible. With modern, clean, skin-loving formulas, makeup can even enhance your skin.

"I tell all my clients leading up to a big event to make sure they are drinking their water," NYC-based makeup artist Alexandra Gilleo tells mbg. Plus, eating antioxidant-rich foods will help you glow from within the day after.

If you can, get a good night of sleep before your big event. "Looking well rested is the best skin prep you can do," cosmetic chemistry expert and product developer Charlene Valledor tells mbg.

While you're sleeping, load up on topical hydration as well via a sleep mask. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, aloe vera, shea butter, and botanical oils like squalene and marula to lock in hydration. If you're ready to buy, this Youth to the People Dream Mask is an easy winner.

Before putting on your skin care products, you'll want to ice your face. How you choose to do so is up to you—you can roll ice globes over the skin or dunk your face in a bowl of ice water. This age-old hack has been around forever but has blown up on TikTok noted as a "supermodel hack." 

Doing so will help to depuff the face and tighten the skin, creating a pristine canvas for your makeup. Be sure to use clean ice globes if you choose that route, and only keep your face dunked for 30 seconds if you're opting for the latter.

Now for the products. The first thing that should touch your skin post-cleanse is a hyaluronic acid serum. Apply it to damp skin, either with the residual dew from cleansing, or go in with a face mist before this step.

After your HA serum, apply a thin layer of rich moisturizer. Look for a blend of humectants like HA, glycerin, and aloe vera with emollients like shea butter to deeply nourish and soften the skin.

You can find our top pick moisturizers here if you need to re-up.

If you're going to a daytime event, then SPF is essential—but opt for a lighter one. "When wearing makeup products that contain a high SPF, you're more likely to experience flashbacks in a photo," celebrity makeup artist Jamie Greenberg explains.

"Adding oil to the skin before a full glam look can create a smooth and hydrating look," Greenberg says.

"The Rituel de Fill Thorn Oil Facial Elixir is the perfect makeup priming oil as it creates an unparalleled base for your makeup application," she notes—more info on this oil to follow.

Gilleo recommends using thinner oils like squalene and opting out of thick oils like coconut: "Coconut oil can clog your pores and break down your foundation," she adds.

Now that your skin care products are all set, let them soak into the skin before applying foundation. "Letting your skin care sink in for five to 10 minutes is extremely important," Greenberg notes.

When looking for the perfect primer, take into account whether your foundation is oil or silicone-based. As cosmetic chemist Javon Ford explains in this TikTok, "While you can layer oil and silicone on top of water, you can't do the reverse." 

Now, determining which products have which base isn't an easy task. For a quick tip, check out this story or Ford's TikTok breakdown.

"​​Microcurrent is a device that I find extremely effective as it helps to lift and tighten the skin, really giving an elevated, sculpted face," Gilleo says. These tools can be pricey, but you can use them every day for lasting results.

"It's a great noninvasive way to contour the face especially around the cheekbones and jawline," she says. Be sure to complete this step before the rest of your skin care—here are our top picks for microcurrent devices if you're ready to invest.

For an internal boost of hydration, you may even consider getting an IV drip in the days leading up to your big event. Gilleo opts for drips containing vitamin C and glutathione for the antioxidant surge.

For a more budget-friendly option, pick up a pack of electrolyte powders like these from Liquid IV. Mix these powders into your water for a few days leading up to the event and the day of.

If you've ever wondered how red carpet skin looks so glossy, now you know the behind-the-scenes work that goes into it. Remember to prioritize internal hydration and rest first thing.