Your calendar is packed—Christmas parties, family catch-ups, New Year’s celebrations—but is your skin ready for the spotlight? Between late nights, unpredictable weather, and the stress of holiday prep, it’s easy for your skin to take a backseat.
That’s where a little planning can make all the difference. With this ultimate party-ready guide, you’ll discover simple, effective ways to prep, hydrate, and refresh your skin to walk into every event looking and feeling your best.
Days Leading Up To The Event: The Foundation Of Radiant Skin
Party-ready skin doesn’t happen overnight—it takes a little planning and care. In the days leading up to your event, focus on treatments and products that prepare your skin for a flawless finish.
Exfoliate
Exfoliation is the first step to prep your skin for any holiday party. By removing dead skin cells, this process uncovers a smooth, new layer of skin, preparing it to absorb hydrating serums and nourishing products more effectively.
Cosmetic-Grade Chemical Peels, for example, go further than just surface exfoliation; it promotes collagen production, smooths out fine lines, and evens out your skin tone.
Tip: Laser Clinics New Zealand’s Cosmetic-Grade Chemical Peels are effective because they work at varying levels of depth, targeting photo-ageing, acne scars, and dullness. A superficial peel can be a quick fix to brighten your complexion in the days before a big event, while a medium peel can address deeper concerns for more noticeable results over time.
Hydrate
Hydrated skin is happy skin, and keeping it nourished in the days before an event is key. The HydraFacial is a great choice, using patented vortex technology that deeply cleanses, extracts, and hydrates.
Infused with nutrient-rich serums with hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, and peptides, this treatment delivers powerful hydration while fighting off free radical damage. The result? Photo-ready plump, smooth, and radiant skin.
Address Skin Concerns With Targeted Treatments
If you’re dealing with specific skin concerns, targeted treatments can make all the difference in your party prep—because let’s be honest, the only thing that should be flushed at your holiday party is the champagne!
For uneven texture, enlarged pores, or acne scars, Skin Needling is an excellent choice. It creates tiny microchannels in the skin to prompt the body’s healing response. This stimulates the production of collagen, enhances the skin’s natural repair processes, smooths recent acne scars, and refines texture over time.
For redness or rosacea-prone skin, Yellow LED Light Therapy offers a calming solution. It targets inflammation, reduces redness, and boosts circulation, leaving your complexion looking clearer and more even.
If you have active acne, we also recommend the Blue LED Light Therapy which removes acne-causing bacteria and ultimately improves the skin’s healing.
Day Before The Event: Enhance And Prep
The day before your event is all about giving your skin that final boost and locking in the glow you’ve worked so hard to achieve. This is the perfect time to focus on treatments and rituals that help boost hydration, refine your skin’s texture and calm any lingering irritation.
Get A Facial For A Glow-Up
Wake up with skin that looks its absolute best with a hydrating and rejuvenating facial. A typical facial involves cleansing, exfoliating, and hydrating your skin. Many treatments also include a facial massage to boost circulation and leave your skin looking plump and radiant.
Facials can address common concerns like dullness, dehydration, and uneven texture, making them a quick go-to option for pre-event preps.
Tip: Laser Clinics New Zealand has a wide range of Advanced Facials tailored to different skin concerns, from hydration and brightness to firming and repair. Our expert Skin Therapists will craft a personalised treatment plan to target your unique needs and ensure your skin is glowing and photo-ready.
Calm And Soothe Your Skin
Avoid pre-party surprises by sticking to calming treatments that minimise redness and irritation. Ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide can help soothe the skin, while a hydrating jelly mask can restore balance and hydration.
Tip:
- We recommend the Skinstitut Hyaluronic Complex Serum for deep hydration and plumping to nourish your skin before the big event.
- For calming and repairing skin, try the Niacinamide Power Serum, which helps reduce redness, strengthens the skin barrier, and protects against irritation.
Day Of The Event
With all the groundwork laid, the day of the event is your time to fine-tune and enhance your look. These final steps ensure your skin is prepped, glowing, and ready to make a lasting impression under the party lights.
Deep Cleanse For A Fresh Start
Start your day with a proper cleansing routine to refresh your skin and prepare it for a flawless makeup application. Here are a few tips to make the most out of your cleanse:
- Wash your hands first so you don’t transfer dirt or bacteria to your face while cleansing.
- Start with an oil cleanser to help break down makeup, sunscreen, and excess sebum for a thorough first cleanse.
- Then follow it up with a gentle foam cleanser to remove remaining impurities and leave your skin feeling refreshed and balanced.
- Hot water may strip natural oils from the skin so opt for lukewarm water instead for the perfect balance.
- Pat dry with a clean towel instead of rubbing to prevent irritation.
Tip: For an effective double cleanse, consider using the Skinstitut Expert Replenish Squalane Cleansing Oil followed by the Gentle Cleanser.
Lock In Moisture
After cleansing, it’s time to lock in hydration and create a smooth, radiant base before applying makeup. Well-moisturised skin not only makes your skin look healthy but allows makeup to easily glide and stay in place throughout the event:
Here’s a quick step-by-step guide:
- Apply a hyaluronic acid-rich hydrating serum to hydrate and plump your skin, reducing fine lines.
- Optional: Or swap your go-to hydrating serum with our Even Blend Serum for an extra boost to brighten your complexion, fade stubborn sun spots, and even out uneven skin tone. ‘
- Next, apply a lightweight and fast-absorbing moisturiser to lock in hydration.
- If you’re attending a daytime event, apply sunscreen that’s at least SPF 30+ to protect against damage from UVA and UVB rays.
- Create a smooth base for your foundation by applying a primer to blur out pores and to help your makeup last all day.
- Even out your skin tone with foundation and touch up any imperfections with a concealer.
- Lock everything in place with a fixing powder or setting spray.
Tip: If you’re adding extras like eye cream, colour correctors, highlighter, or blush, layer them seamlessly after your foundation and before setting everything in place with fixing powder or a setting spray.
Post-Event Recovery: Restore And Replenish
The party’s over, but your skincare routine doesn’t stop here. Post-event care is all about giving your skin the love it needs to bounce back from all the makeup, sweat, festive frenzy—and even those indulgent, high-glycemic foods that can trigger acne.
Get A Proper Cleanse
Cleansing is a non-negotiable after a night or two of heavy celebration! Start your usual routine with an oil-based cleanser to dissolve products like waterproof mascara and long-wear foundation.
Follow it up with a foam cleanser, making sure you don’t miss spots like your neck and hairline. A proper cleanse sets the stage for proper hydration and repair, especially after the stress of makeup, sweat, and environmental exposure. Be sure to use lukewarm water and pat dry.
Hydrate With A Weekly Mask
A quick hydrating mask works wonders if you need a pick-me-up. Whether it’s dehydration, dullness, or stress showing on your face, just 10 minutes with a nourishing mask does a great job.
Tip: The Skinstitut Hydrating Mask is packed with hydration-boosting ingredients like ginger, vitamin B5 and red raspberry. It’s perfect not just for a weekly self-care ritual but even for pre-events. Pat your skin gently and follow it up with your favourite skincare products.
Your Party-Ready Skin Awaits
The festive season is a whirlwind of celebrations and your skin deserves some TLC just as much as you do! Party-ready skin isn’t just about looking great —it’s about feeling confident and ready to step into every moment with your best face forward.
Whether you’re indulging in professional treatments or simply hydrating with our science-based cosmeceuticals, Laser Clinics New Zealand has everything you need to keep your skin holiday-ready.
Tip: First-timers are entitled to a FREE consultation with our expert Skin Therapists. Let us help you craft the perfect plan to achieve and maintain glowing, party-ready skin.
