How To Prep Your Skin For A Party
The facialist who gets Bella Hadid and Cate Blanchett ready for the red carpet (for this week’s Met Gala, she’s prepping Anja Rubik and Carey Mulligan), JOANNA CZECH is famous for giving skin a flawless, poreless, dewy finish. She shares the secrets of her pre-event skin program with NEWBY HANDS
THREE WEEKS BEFORE
“Starting your skin prep now gives you enough time to make a real difference to your skin. Firstly, you need to stop using any injectable treatments – I see the worst issues with day-before Botox or filler,” says Czech. “Don’t have any extraction treatments and stop using anything strong or that is on prescription, like Retin-A, as you want your skin to be calm, not red or reactive. Now is the time to start your at-home cryotherapy and LED face treatments; use an LED mask daily [try Dr Dennis Gross SpectraLite FaceWare Pro mask or MZ Skin Light-Therapy Golden Facial Treatment Device], alternating between red light for fresh collagen and tighter skin, and green or blue light to calm the skin.”
Next, try an at-home cryotherapy facial. “Do your cryo facial three times a week. This is incredible for making skin super-hydrated and getting pores tight. First, gently peel the skin – but don’t use a scrub or anything harsh. I love Dr Dennis Gross’ Gentle Peel Pads as you can really work around the nose, in front of the ears and behind the ears. Then, generously massage in a hydrating serum and put a sheet mask over your face, and run over it with an ice cube. Do this three times a week for three weeks and your skin will be hydrated, healthy and glowing.”
Sculpt and shape your face every day. “Get a facial massager and use it every single day; I love using mine with Augustinus Bader’s The Cream. My face roller is designed to mimic my hands so that you can get the same lifting and sculpting effects at home. To lift and shape the face, pull the massager upwards, with the handle leading, working up only from the center of the face outwards under the jaw, then along the jaw, and under, and then along the cheekbones. If you want to drain your face, hold the massager the other way, with the handle downwards, so you can push the roller upwards.”
ON THE DAY
“Don’t do your skincare just before your makeup – I often do the last treatment the morning of an event. First, I use a brightening mask, either Clé de Peau Beauté Intensive Brightening Mask or 111Skin Rose Gold Brightening Facial Treatment Mask (I also love their Black Diamond Lifting And Firming Mask). Finally, I blend one drop of oil, but no more, with a super-hydrating serum – the tiny bit of oil gives skin a real glow, whereas if you only use serum, it evaporates away. I love the Clé de Peau Beauté Radiant Multi Repair Oil, or a drop of Vintners’ Daughter. Then I finish with Augustinus Bader’s Rich Cream, which makes skin look and feel amazing.”
