It’s called beauty sleep for a reason. But if you can’t always get what you want (or need), here are some other ways to look like you’ve just bounded out of bed
Look After Your Skin
Actual sleep will help get skin glowing. But if you have burnt the midnight oil, the next best way to look fresh come morning is to get gleaming with skincare. Here are fast fixes and sustained complexion strategies for radiant skin.If you’ve burnt the midnight oil, the best way to look fresh is skincare.
Right Now
Wash Your Face With Cold Water In The Morning.
Just as effective as rubbing your face with ice cubes, “this improves blood circulation and lymphatic flow, whilst reducing inflammation, puffiness and redness”, explains Jocelyn Petroni, facial advisor for La Mer Australia. “It feels like a mini facelift every morning, refreshing without freezing.”
Her tip: keep a jug of water on standby in the fridge.
Layer On Lip Balm.
Apply a generous amount and let it soak in overnight. Then when you wash your face the next morning, “submerge your lips in water for a few seconds before gently rubbing away the excess – the balm rolls off with all the dead skin cells for smooth, pink and bright lips.”
Jump In The Ocean.
“A sunrise swim cures even the worst sleep deprivation as the ocean’s minerals and salts holistically rejuvenate your skin and being,” says Petroni. Not seaside? “Splash your skin with a hydrating toner that contains all the goodness of the ocean.”
The Long Game
Invest In A Shiatsu Facial
Inspired by the Japanese massage, the facials “stimulate energy paths and acupressure points on the face, neck and head, helping release tension, improve circulation and detoxify skin for a more radiant and youthful appearance”, says Petroni. No pain, all gain.
Repair Your Moisture Barrier
The easiest way to do it: layer a lipid-rich or deeply calming formula over the top of your AM/PM moisturiser.
“Sounds simple, but physically retaining water and super-saturating your skin with compatible oils is the quickest way to repair and strengthen your hydro-lipid skin barrier,” says Petroni. “The long-term benefits are endless – and glowing skin is inevitable.”
Pre-party prep
Whether the invite arrived a month ago or landed in your inbox just last night, here’s how to put your best face forward.
Two Weeks Before
Sylfirm X Advanced RF Needling at Silk Laser Clinics, from $449
Straight from South Korea – a nation forever doing cool things in skincare – this next-gen microneedling device utilises dual-wave technology, with both continuous and pulsed radio-frequency (RF) energy, so it can tackle pigmentation and tightening at the same time, and deliver results in fewer sessions.
The ultra-fine needles have an adjustable depth and can go as shallow as 0.3mm, making it ideal to treat delicate areas, like around the eyes; plus, they’re gold-tipped, which can help disperse the RF energy more evenly for better results, and makes it more suited to sensitive skin types. If you weren’t already sold, it also promises less discomfort and downtime.
This product is only available in clinic and is not available for purchase by the general public.
One Week Before
Mesoestetic Perfect Day Treatment, from $280 (60 minutes)
The accumulation of dead cells on the skin’s surface interferes with the reflection of light and dulls your glow. But this peel makes quick work of that.
It features the usual double-cleanse, mask, moisturiser and sun protection, but it’s the second step that does the work: a professional-strength pre-treatment solution and treatment ampoule is customised to your skin and goals, so the therapist will either apply and leave alone for a bit (beginner), rub in with gauze (intermediate), or rub in with gauze and add some microneedling (advanced).
Post-facial day peeling is not unusual, so ensure there’s enough time before your event. After the shed, expect hydrated, plump skin.
Day Before
Vanessa Megan Golden Hour Facial, from $260 (75 minutes)
Fun fact: as a natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, gold can help soothe stressed skin and stimulate circulation – a win-win for luminous skin.
Following a double cleanse and gentle exfoliation, the brand’s Auric 24k Gold Serum and Nature’s Elixir Oil are layered on, before sheets of gold leaf are placed over the top (open your eyes at this point and sneak a peek, it’s so luxe!), and the whole thing is worked in with a face and décolletage massage. Heaven.
On The Day
Don’t underestimate the power of a sheet mask to impart instant dewiness. Kick things up a notch and double mask: apply an eye mask before layering a face mask over the top, then hang tight for five while they do their thing.
Words by: Sherine Youssef
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