Summer is the season of celebrations—and whether you’re a bride, a bridesmaid, traveling to a tropical getaway, or attending a special event, glowing skin is the ultimate accessory. Follow our step-by-step skincare and treatment prep timeline to ensure a clear, camera-ready complexion all summer long.
Why Skincare Prep Matters for Events
Skincare prep is essential for events because it creates the optimal canvas for flawless makeup application and helps achieve a healthy, glowing complexion. Here are just a few benefits of having a strategic skincare approach:
Preventative Care: Pre-event skincare can help prevent potential issues like breakouts or irritation from last-minute stress or products. quires a bit of planning and a targeted approach. Here’s a breakdown of a potential skincare timeline before a big event:
Improved Makeup Application: Well-hydrated and smooth skin allows makeup to apply more evenly, preventing issues like patchiness or cakiness. It helps foundation and other makeup products blend seamlessly and look more natural.
Enhanced Makeup Longevity: Properly prepped skin provides a smooth, hydrated base that helps makeup stay in place longer, preventing melting, fading, or creasing throughout the event.
Healthy, Radiant Skin: A consistent skincare routine in the weeks or months leading up to the event can significantly improve skin texture, tone, and overall radiance. Exfoliation removes dead skin cells for a brighter look, while hydration plumps and smooths the skin.
Customized Care: Skincare prep allows you to address specific skin concerns, such as dryness, oiliness, or breakouts, to ensure your skin is in its best condition for the event.
Increased Confidence: When your skin looks and feels good, it naturally boosts your confidence, allowing you to fully enjoy your special occasion.
Preventative Care: Pre-event skincare can help prevent potential issues like breakouts or irritation from last-minute stress or products.
Skincare Timeline Breakdown
Getting your skin event-ready requires a bit of planning and a targeted approach. Here’s a breakdown of a potential skincare timeline before a big event:
6-8 Weeks Before
Starting your summer skincare prep months before an event means you can take a look at the big picture and pair in-office treatments with a custom skincare routine.
In-office treatments: Speak to a GMS practitioner about Microneedling, Diamond Glow, and chemical peels — all gold star options for stimulating collagen and ramping up exfoliation. Microneedling, in particular, is generally recommended 6 weeks in advance to allow for optimal healing and results. This time-frame allows for multiple sessions, if needed, and ensures that any potential redness or swelling has subsided before the event. Our much-loved Diamond Glow Facial simultaneously exfoliates, extracts, and infuses the skin with condition-specific serums and our custom chemical peels smooth, brighten, and rejuvenate dull skin.
At-home routine: Incorporate brightening serums and exfoliants in-between treatments to help slough off dead skin cells and keep skin even-toned. Consult with your GMS practitioner for a personalized skincare routine that’s right for you.
4 Weeks Before
Neurotoxins (if applicable)
- Full Effects: Neurotoxins typically take about 1-2 weeks to show their full effects.
- Optimal Timing: Getting the treatment 4 weeks before your event provides a comfortable window for the full effects to develop.
- Touch-ups: This also allows time for any necessary touch-ups if needed, usually recommended about 14 days after the initial treatment.
Fillers (if applicable)
- Immediate Results: Dermal fillers often show immediate results, but initial swelling and bruising can occur.
- Settling Time: They need time to fully integrate into your skin and tissues, typically settling over 1-4 weeks.
- Bruising and Swelling: Scheduling 4 weeks ahead gives ample time for any bruising and swelling to subside before your event.
In addition to neurotoxins or fillers, prioritize hydration-focused skincare to get your skin looking its best for your special event. Opt for hydrating and calming serums, essences, or toners to soothe and quench the skin.
2 Weeks Before
Lock in moisture with a gentle facial like the HydraGlow Facial, a nourishing treatment that includes a moisturizing peel and gentle chemical peel. Now is also a good time for dermaplaning if you want to remove “peach fuzz” and help improve the appearance of fine lines. Avoid trying new products 2 weeks out.
1 Week Before
With one week out, we recommend the Glow2Facial + LED light therapy OR the CO2 Lift Facial. Two GMS faves, the Glow2Facial is considered our “3-in-1 Super Facial” and combines exfoliation, oxygenation, and LED Light Therapy while the CO2 Lift Facial features dermaplaning, extractions, a CO2 mask, and LED Therapy. Both are safe for all skin types.
Night Before / Day Of
To prepare your skin for a big event the night before (or day of), focus on hydration and gentle cleansing. Avoid new products or intense treatments and reach for the following for an instant refresh:
- CO2 Lift Mask
- Gua Sha
- Ice Roller
- Calming Mist
Product Tips & Lifestyle Habits
In addition to scheduling your services in advance, keep these tips top of mind:
- Opt for skincare with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide.
- Get your zzz’s: Adequate sleep allows the body to undergo cell regeneration, collagen production, and hydration regulation, while also managing stress and inflammation, all of which contribute to a healthy, radiant complexion.
- Stay hydrated and eat clean: Nutrient-rich foods can improve skin elasticity, radiance, and overall appearance by preventing dryness, dullness, and premature aging.
- Avoid alcohol pre-event: Alcohol leads to dehydration, which can make skin look duller and drier. Save it for the big day!
- Avoid new skincare or harsh peels too close to the date and resist the urge to pick at any blemishes.
Ready to plan your skin prep with GMS? If you’re a bride, book your bridal consult here. For all other celebrations, contact us to get started. We can’t wait to help you achieve your glow!
