We asked Sephora Australia’s National Artistry Lead Alphie Sadsad’s for his top picks for party prep this festive season, and boy did he deliver! Here’s his hints to keep you glowing right through the holidays.
It’s easy to think that great makeup equates to a great glow. But skin prep is just as important – if not more so – for achieving a glowing and radiant look.
For a big event, I like to start my skin prep 24 hours prior with an at-home peel – like the Alpha-H Liquid Gold Ultimate Perfecting Mask. This will refine the skin’s texture and create a smooth canvas that’s perfectly primed for makeup application. Next, I layer on hydration with a mix of the Vitamin B Copper Tripeptide Serum and Hyaluronic 8 – this really is like a hydration cocktail for the skin! To lock everything in and create glow, I finish with the Liquid Gold Firming Eye Cream (can’t forget about those eyes), my favourite cooling sleeping mask and a lip balm.
I think one area people tend to neglect when it comes to party prep is the body. For fake tan wearers, I’d recommend using the Liquid Gold Luxe Resurfacing Body Cloths to easily remove dry skin or residual fake tan. Use the textured side of the cloth to buff the skin, followed by the flat side to smooth and soften. My pro tip for the body would be to use Liquid Gold all over heels, toes and any other rough areas for an intense exfoliating treatment. Apply the night before and let the Glycolic Acid eat away that dry skin by morning!
The day of the event, give your skin a good cleanse by starting with a gentle exfoliation using Micro Super Scrub. Massage gently with damp fingertips and rinse with warm water to remove. Then cleanse with pH balanced Balancing Cleanser. Once dry, rinse off in the shower and finish with cold water to invigorate and help reduce the appearance of pores.
To prep skin, apply your hydration cocktail again (Vitamin B Copper Tripeptide Serum and Hyaluronic 8), Liquid Gold Firming Eye Cream and Essential Skin Perfecting Moisturiser SPF15 – which is the perfect base for makeup. I love how the moisturiser works in combination with the Anastasia Beverly Hills Luminous Foundation and Pat McGrath Labs Skin Fetish: Sublime Perfection Powder – this trio is my go-to for a photo-ready finish.
For a holiday party look, I recommend keeping things simple and long-wearing. I love using Nudestix Magnetic Luminous Eye Colour in Immortal, for its longevity and intense colour. Draw thickly along the lash line and blend with your ring finger, repeating as desired for extra intensity! Next, apply Sephora Collection Tinsel Time Liquid Glitter in Celebrate, to the centre of the lid for added dimension, and coat lashes with Pat McGrath Labs FetishEyes Mascara to finish off your look.
For naturally full, supple lips, apply a generous layer of lip balm at the start of your skin prep to ensure your lips are ready for long-wear lipsticks. The SEPHORA COLLECTION Cream Lip Stains are my absolute favourite as they are long-wearing, but comfortable enough for all-day wear.
Set your foundation with a powder to lock everything in place, and then finish off your makeup by spraying the Alpha-H Daily Essential Vitamin Mist to give back some glow!
And, regardless of how merry you might be, always remove your makeup when you get home – no excuses!