5 Skin Care Prep Routines for Party Makeup
Necessary maintenance requires party prep by skin type.
Written By JESS BASSER SANDERS
Your red-carpet moment, whether it’s a walk down the aisle or a dinner party for twelve, calls for a special skin care routine, one that not only ensures your makeup stays put all night but imparts a luminous, lit-from-within glow.
To ensure you are equipped with all of the necessary essentials for proper complexion maintenance VIOLET GREY asked makeup artist Beau Nelson (who counts actresses like Jessica Alba, Kristen Stewart and Christina Hendricks among his clients) to devise five preparatory routines based on skin type: normal, oily, dry, combination and blemish-prone.
Find your prescription for a flawless, photo-ready complexion below.
FOR NORMAL SKIN
SKIN WITH ALMOST NO SENSITIVITY, DRYNESS AND OILINESS.
1 / 5
CLEANSE WITH GRIT
“Choose a cleanser that will gently polish the skin, without stripping it of moisture,” says Nelson. Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser relies on the help of apricot seed powder and pomegranate enzymes. Apply to dry skin and let sit for a moment before washing off with warm water.
TATA HARPER REGENERATING CLEANSER
2 / 5
REINVIGORATE
SK-II Facial Treatment Masks are a staple among Nelson’s actress and model clientele, who use them after long flights to refresh the skin. Enriched with SK-II’s signature complex Pitera, they hydrate and regenerate the skin while minimizing wrinkles. Wear for 15 minutes prior to makeup application.
3 / 5
FIRM AND PLUMP
For a toned and radiant complexion, turn to Sisleÿa Global Anti-Age. “It leaves skin fresh and hydrated without feeling heavy,” says Nelson of the skin-care cult favorite.
SISLEY-PARIS SISLEŸA GLOBAL ANTI-AGE
4 / 5
NOURISH EYES AND LIPS
For the delicate areas around the lips and eyes, Nelson recommends double-duty balm Sisleÿa Eye and Lip Contour Cream. Not only is it the perfect primer for makeup application but its anti-aging properties help smooth lines and plump skin.
SISLEY-PARIS SISLEŸA EYE & LIP CONTOUR CREAM
5 / 5
PRIME
Laura Mercier Foundation Primer Radiance creates an even surface on the skin, readying it for the makeup to come. Skin looks fresh and bright — Nelson calls it “an instant lift in a tube.”
LAURA MERCIER FOUNDATION PRIMER - RADIANCE
FOR OILY SKIN
SKIN TYPES WITH ENLARGED PORES AND AN OFTEN SHINY COMPLEXION.
1 / 5
CLEANSE
Nelson recommends Sjal Balans Deep Pore Cleanser, an oil-free formula that helps balance the skin and washes away excess sebum. The mineral-rich formula minimizes pores and brightens the complexion.
SJAL BALANS DEEP PORE CLEANSER
2 / 5
DRAW OUT IMPURITIES
For an extra deep, “tingling” cleanse, reach for Omorovicza Deep Cleansing Mask. Rich in calcium and magnesium, it draws out impurities and decongests and brightens skin.
OMOROVICZA DEEP CLEANSING MASK
3 / 5
CONTROL SHINE
For those with especially oily skin, Nelson calls Erno Laszlo Light Controlling Lotion a “godsend.” The toner helps to reduce excess surface oil while refining skin texture.
ERNO LASZLO LIGHT CONTROLLING LOTION
4 / 5
GET MATTE
Continue shine control (particularly in the T-zone) with Avene Mattifying Fluid. The lightweight, oil-free formula leaves skin satin-matte, but not dry. Nelson recommends patch-testing your foundation over the fluid first, as some formulations won’t layer well.
5 / 5
PRIME
Dior Pore Minimizer Skin Refining Matte Primer ensure your makeup will look smooth and flawless. If skin is very oily, Nelson suggests using the cream all over; otherwise, just stick to the T-zone.
DIOR PORE MINIMIZER SKIN REFINING MATTE PRIMER
FOR COMBINATION SKIN
SKIN THAT IS DRY IN SOME AREAS AND OILY IN OTHERS (MAINLY THE T-ZONE).
1 / 5
CLEANSE
A favorite of beauty editors, multipurpose balm Eve Lom Cleanser helps cleanse, decongest and exfoliate. Rub a small amount between your fingers before massaging over the face, then use a damp muslin cloth to remove.
2 / 5
POLISH
An effective yet efficient at-home treatment that won’t irritate the skin or result in unsightly red splotches, La Prairie Cellular 3-Minute Peel rejuvenates and refreshes. Nelson notes how its gentle exfoliating properties leave skin glowing and ready to receive the products and makeup to follow.
LA PRAIRIE CELLULAR 3-MINUTE PEEL MASK
3 / 5
MOISTURIZE
A lighter version that still retains all the benefits of the original, La Mer Moisturizing Gel Cream is perfect for combination skin. Nelson notes that it is particularly useful during the summer, when skin doesn’t need a rich moisturizer.
4 / 5
PERK UP EYES
If tired eyes are a problem, Nelson suggests Revive Intensite Eye Renewal Serum. The lightweight yet nourishing formula firms and tightens to diminish puffiness and fine lines while also providing a smoother surface for makeup application.
RÉVIVE EYE RENEWAL SERUM FIRMING BOOSTER
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HOURGLASS VEIL MINERAL PRIMER
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FOR DRY SKIN
SKIN TYPES THAT ARE DEHYDRATED AND DULL.
1 / 5
NOURISH AND CLEANSE
For a gentle yet effective cleanser that won’t dry skin out, Nelson suggests Omorovicza Thermal Cleansing Balm. The Hungarian mud-based balm offers a deep cleanse that can also easily (and gently) remove makeup.
OMOROVICZA THERMAL CLEANSING BALM
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2 / 5
HYDRATE DEEPLY
For parched skin, Nelson hails African Botanics Neroli Infused Marula Oil as a “miracle-worker.” Scented with neroli and packed with vitamins and antioxidants, it penetrates deeply into the skin to moisturize and nourish.
AFRICAN BOTANICS NEROLI INFUSED MARULA OIL
3 / 5
SOOTHE
Infused with the word’s rarest, hand-harvested roses, Chantecaille Rose de Mai Cream is an ultra-moisturizing cream that repairs the skin and protects its natural immune system. Nelson particularly recommends it for those concerned with the first visible signs of aging.
CHANTECAILLE ROSE DE MAI CREAM
4 / 5
NOURISH EYES
Chanel Sublimage La Crème Yeux is Nelson’s go-to eye cream. “I use it on almost everyone (including myself),” he says. “It’s not too heavy, absorbs quickly and leaves skin smooth and ready to receive concealer.”
CHANEL SUBLIMAGE LA CREME YEUX
5 / 5
GLOW
To impart a healthy yet subtle luminosity to the complexion, Nelson relies on Charlotte Tilbury Wonderglow. Use it as a makeup primer, mixed with foundation for an all-over glow, or applied on its own to the high points of the face for a highlighting effect.
CHARLOTTE TILBURY WONDERGLOW INSTANT SOFT-FOCUS BEAUTY FLASH PRIMER
FOR BLEMISH-PRONE SKIN
UNLIKE OILY SKIN, THESE SKIN TYPES EXPERIENCE BLEMISHES REGULARLY.
1 / 5
CLEANSE
Cleansing is a crucial first step for blemish-prone skin. The acids in Erno Laszlo Anti-Blemish Beta Wash penetrate deep into pores to help remove impurities and acne-forming bacteria.
ERNO LASZLO ANTI-BLEMISH BETA WASH
2 / 5
DETOX
Further draw out impurities with Chantecaille Detox Mask. The blue-black clay formula improves skin’s smoothness and tone and won’t cause dryness or irritation.
CHANTECAILLE DETOX CLAY MASK WITH ROSEMARY AND HONEY
3 / 5
MOISTURIZE
To hydrate acne-prone skin, a cream that won’t irritate is key. Avene Mattifying Fluid is unscented, hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic, moisturizing skin and gently delivering a matte finish.
EAU THERMALE AVÈNE MATTIFYING FLUID
4 / 5
BANISH BLEMISHES
Nelsons recommends Indie Lee Blemish Stick for treating spots on the go — under or over makeup. Free from harsh chemicals, the formula’s natural (and clear) salicylic and glycolic acids help to shrink pimples fast.
5 / 5
CONTROL AND COVER UP
Laura Mercier Oil-Free Foundation Primer creates a protective barrier to ensure makeup won’t aggravate your skin. If any blemishes are present, Nelson recommends Laura Mercier’s Secret Camouflage. Apply with a small synthetic brush and blend with a clean finger before setting with translucent powder.
