Thanksgiving is only 2 days away and maybe you’re not feeling very thankful about how your skin is looking right now. But can you really turn your skin around in 2 days time? Well, although nothing compares to getting monthly skincare treatments from the professionals (aka- US!) and sticking to a daily skincare routine, there are a few things you can do at home to “fake” flawless skin in a matter of a couple days. Below, some quick fixes that’ll get all the last minute ladies and busy women of the world feeling beautiful before the turkey rolls out:
1-2 DAYS BEFORE EVENT
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Keep up with your daily skincare routine
Now is not the time to skip or slack on your daily skincare routine. Don’t have a skincare routine yet? No better time than now to start one. All you’ll need is a cleanser, aserum, and a moisturizer. Make sure you skip cleansing your skin in the morning and just rinse it with water instead. This way you don’t lose those essential oils your skin produces overnight, which is a big factor in helping you get that dewy skin look. In the morning make sure you apply a serum and wait a few minutes before following that up with a moisturizer with SPF. At night time, keep your routine the same except you’ll want to use a cleanser to wash off any dirt that may have settled on your skin and you’ll need to switch your day moisturizer for a heavier one at night time one, ideally something with a hydrating formula like IMAGE’s Vital C Hydrating Repair Creme ($59.90). This hydration powerhouse is formulated with rich antioxidants like grape seed extract and a 20% bend of Vitamin A, C, & E to get your skin to its ultimate level of hydration while also promoting cell renewal.
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Treat breakouts
If you have any break outs, now is the time to address them with a spot treatment. We swear by IMAGE’s Clear Cell Medicated Acne Lotion ($31), which contains 5% of benzoyl peroxide to get rid of bacteria, as well as a blend of antioxidants like Vitamin E and Green Tea to fight off inflammation. If you really want to dry out your breakout, finish off with a smudge of clay or other acne-fighting mask (one containing tea tree oil or salicylic acid are always good choices). Leave the mask on the blemish overnight and wash off the bit of mask in the morning. And whatever you do, DO NOT pick at the breakout!
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Forego makeup
If you’re not sure that your makeup is the good-for-your-skin type, it would be best to avoid wearing it a couple of days before your upcoming event to further prevent breakouts, clogged pores, and/or any possible inflammation or irritation to the skin. If you decide you can’t skip foundation for a couple of days, make sure you’re washing off your makeup prior to working out or sweating excessively. This will prevent makeup and dirt on the surface of your skin from seeping in and clogging pores.
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Get 8-9 hours of sleep
We know you know sleep is important, but why is it important for your skin? Turns out that your body makes more of the stress hormone cortisol when you’re sleep deprived, which leads to increased levels of stress and inflammation in the body, making acne & psoriasis worst and your skin more sensitive. Ever noticed how dull skin looks after an awful night of sleep? That is because your body’s hydration rebalances during sleep, which allows skin to recover moisture. When skin suffers from this poor water balance, it shows in the form of puffy under-eye bags & circles, as well as dryness and more visible wrinkles. They don’t call it “beauty sleep” for no reason! So make sure your clocking in the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep every night.
DAY OF EVENT
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Exfoliate & mask
If you want to be glowing on the day of the event, there’s no better way to get there than to remove old, dull layer of skin cells. Be careful of scrubs with rough granules and/or nutshells, since these may scratch and irritate skin. Instead, opt for a cleanser with a chemical exfoliator like IMAGE’s MD Cleanser ($25) which uses a mix of glycolic and salicylic acid to exfoliate skin in a safe and effective way. Once that dead skin is removed, follow up with a mask of your choosing. Leave on for 10 minutes and rinse with tepid water. Your skin should feel squeaky clean and soft, a perfect canvas for the next step…
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Moisturize
Moisture, moisture, moisture! It is SUPER important for healthy skin and especially so in this dry climate of Colorado. If you’re planning on spending time outside at your upcoming event during daylight hours, choose a moisturizer with an SPF. Otherwise, layer on a good quality moisturizer like the Vital C Hydrating Repair Creme suggested above.
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Oil up
MORE moisture, you ask?! YES, we say! You want your skin to look dewy & healthy, right? For that, follow up your moisturizer with a facial oil. Although it seems counterintuitive to add oil after a lotion, the oil will help your skin lock in moisture, as well as add a healthy glow to your skin. Not to mention that if you decide to wear makeup, the hydration will allow your foundation to go on smoothly for that flawless skin look.
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Optional: Primer & Foundation
If you are planning on wearing makeup, your skin is now prepped for the next step: Primer & Foundation. It seems most people don’t use a primer before applying foundation, but we highly recommend you invest in a good one like IMAGE’s I Prime Flawless Blur Gel ($59.90), which will not only reduce the appearance of wrinkles and lines but also help fight free radical damage with its blend of antioxidants and botanicals. Another big benefit of adding on a primer prior to applying your foundation is that the primer will help makeup stay on longer and keep it looking “fresh.” After letting the primer sit on your skin for a couple of minutes, follow up with your foundation of choice. We believe everything you put on your skin should help make it healthy, so we love IMAGE’s I Conceal Flawless Foundation ($59.90), an all-in-one illuminating, lightweight foundation that heals and conceals to reveal a healthier complexion. Now here’s a pro tip if you’re looking for that extra dewy look: after foundation, apply a little facial oil around your temples, creating a “C” shape as you dab the oil on. You should notice a glow immediately.
If you follow the steps above, your skin should be healthy and dewy in two days time. Don’t forget to also drink a lot of water! And hey, if you like the results, keep up with a daily skincare routine and monthly skincare treatments for healthy, beautiful skin for life!