It’s All In The Planning: Getting Ready For An Event
I am one of those people who loves checklists…I don’t know if it’s because I found the book “The Checklist Manifesto” so fascinating or because I just love that feeling of checking off something completed…or maybe it’s simply because checklists counter the “fallibility of human memory and attention, especially when it comes to mundane, routine matters that are easily overlooked under the strain of more pressing events”.
In any case, I find a checklist extraordinarily helpful when planning beauty necessities for a big event. Whether it’s your wedding, a night out on the town, or simply a big presentation at work, following a checklist for the beauty part of your preparation can save time, and ensure that the esthetic part of you is ready without a hitch. Outlined below by how far in advance things should get done, these “beauty to-do’s” should not be overlooked next time your start thinking about your plans.
Do This Right Away
Start creating your to-do list. You can use a digital reminders app to list items, or your regular paper list, but if you do a lot of events or presentations that you need to be ready for, you need something that is recurring so you don’t have to write down all the items again. I like the simple app “Checklist” that you can get in the app store. Make note of anything that you might need to pick up such as self-tanner, or razors, or moisturizer.
What Goes On The List
Ok, here we go. So what do you actually need to do or schedule to stop worrying about this part of your prep? To me, the most efficient way to look at it is number of weeks out from the event.
Eight Weeks Out
Schedule a hair cut and color with your hair stylist for 2 weeks before your event or presentation. If you are going to get your hair done or blown out on the day of the event, schedule that at this time. Count back from when you need be leaving the salon and remember that hair comes before makeup when getting ready.
Go pick up what you need from the list above.
Four Weeks Out
Schedule your makeup appointment a month in advance, if not earlier, especially if this is for a popular event such as Valentine’s Day or Opening of the Ballet or Opera for example. Schedule your blowout or styling appointment at this time as well, if you haven’t already, especially if it’s with the same stylist.
If you get regular facials, schedule your next one for 2 weeks before your event.
If you don’t already use one, you could start using a lash serum now to make your lashes look longer, thicker, and darker. Generally, your lashes are on a 4 to 8 week cycle and thus you should start to see results / better lashes within 4 weeks of use. This applies to hair growth foams as well. Start using it now to see baby hairs filling in by the time of your event.
Alternatively if you are going to get lash extensions, schedule your appointment now for 1 week before your event.
Three Weeks Out
What are you going to wear? Figure it out. Find out if it’s black tie or not, long or short etc. If it’s a work event or an interview, find out what is appropriate attire for that company event. (In a past life, I was a financial product specialist at a large brokerage firm, asked to make a presentation in Las Vegas to a group of money managers. I figured we were in Las Vegas so I went for it and wore a smashing light blue satin suit with dark blue trim that was blinding from afar. Everyone else was in business casual and conservative…not a great choice on my part!) If you are going to be on video or TV, make sure to get advice from experts on what to wear. Certain colors (pinks, reds of a certain tone, greens can come across very strange) and patterns are generally not recommended for TV.
Once you have it figured out, try it ON. And then get thee to a tailor asap to get it fitted or fixed where needed. Get clothing altered before you get it dry cleaned (or before you steam it yourself). Give yourself time to get it to the tailor, let them work on it, pick it up, and get it to dry cleaner, if needed.
At this time you can start up the old teeth whitening, as well. Don’t leave this for too close to the event in case your teeth are sensitive and you need to pace yourself. I like Smile Brilliant myself and have been using their products for years.
Two Weeks Out
Have that facial if you get them. Make sure your esthetician either goes easy on extractions or does none at all. You don’t want an infection or redness heading in to the big event. Generally you just want to remove any dullness to the skin and get a bit of hydration.
Check your lips. Are they horribly chapped? Start exfoliating the skin on the lips with your dry toothbrush before you brush your teeth and apply lip serum and lip balm to the lips every day.
One Week Out
It’s go time! Look at your schedule for the week leading up to the event and block out time for the following (around the appointments you already have like your blow out or lash extension etc):
- Gel manicure (and pedicure if wearing open toe)
- Moisturize body every night leading up to event
- Exfoliate face and body four days ahead and three days ahead
- Shave face and brows three days ahead
- Apply self-tanner two days ahead (must be before manicure)
- Do final teeth whitener two days ahead
- Mask face one day ahead
Day of the Event
Woo - hoo…you made it and you are ready to head to any expert appointments and have prepared yourself the best you can to get the most out of your stylists. Now it’s time to enjoy yourself and know that the beauty part of your prep has been completed! Nothing forgotten and nothing fallen through the cracks. I bet you look beautiful and feel beautiful too! Remember: Beauty. Every Day. Big Day.
