How to Prepare for a Special Occasion without the Stress

Eliminate that last-minute stress of getting ready by pacing your preparation time over the course of a couple of days.

Are you preparing for a special event or night out? This can be a both blessing and a curse in so many ways. In many cases getting ready is left until the last minute which can result in a lot of stress.

By planning out everything you would like to do in preparation and spacing these tasks out you can eliminate most if not all of the drama.

Below is a guide you can stick to if you are unsure about how best to plan these details out but feel free to swap or change the schedule to whatever way suits you best. After all, this is all about eliminating stress so ensure to pace yourself within your own comfort zone.

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Several days before the big event:

1. Caring for your hair

If you want to achieve those shiny, healthy looking locks then applying a hair mask can definitely help with this.

Hair masks deeply nourish your hair follicles and can even repair some of the damage that has previously been done to them. Not only will your hair feel healthier but it will look healthier too. Regular treatments for your hair will keep it protected and stronger which can in turn prevent breakage.

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If you are planning on styling your hair for your event then you should leave about a week’s distance between applying your hair mask and getting ready. This is simply because your hair will be extremely soft and silky after a mask so it will not hold its place or curls over the course of your occasion.

If you allow approximately a week break then your hair will be able to hold its place for the hours ahead but also appear shinier and more cared for.

If you are leaving your hair down for the evening however then feel free to apply a hair mask the night before the event so it will be at its softest for the following day.

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2. Waxing

If you decide to wax make sure to do this a few days in advance. The reason for this being that your skin will be quite delicate after a wax and should stay free from products for about 24 hours. Your skin may be quite red after from the swift stripping motions so try to give it at least four days for your skin to settle.

Once you are allowed to apply products again, apply some lotion (preferably with aloe vera in it) to help soothe the area and keep it hydrated and cared for. If waxing seems a little too daunting for you or you are not a fan of the pain then shaving will work just as well but won’t last as long so leave this for a couple of days closer to your event.

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One day before the event:

The day before the event is the most important one. You should never leave yourself in a rush to get everything done last minute. This is where your pamper day comes into effect. Take the time out to have a day off where you can prepare in a stress-free manner.

Leave only the bare minimum details for the day of the occasions itself; such as your hair and makeup, and you will be doing yourself so many favours.

3. Clear up your skin with a relaxing facial

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Start your pamper day off with a nice relaxing facial. You can take this opportunity to go all out and begin with a facial steamer or if you do not have one of these then a basin of hot water from a kettle will do just the same trick. Do not overdo this step! It works wonders to open up your pores but remember 10-15 minutes is more than enough.

When your pores are opened from steam they sweat out any bad properties and also allow facial products to work deep down into the skin to fully draw out any impurities. This means that when you apply your cleanser it will be twice as effective.

Make sure to splash lukewarm water on your face to keep these pores open for your facial cleanser and again when you are washing the product off.

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Scrubs are so important for a good makeup application and clearer skin as they gently rub away any dead skin cells you may have lying on your face. Dead skin cells can be one of the most troublesome issues connected to skin problems.

They can cause clogged pores which lead to breakouts and will prevent any facial products from working to its fullest potential. This is because this layer of skin is no longer functional and acts as a form of barrier from products actually reaching the underneath layer of your skin.

By scrubbing in light, circular motions you will reveal a fresh, new layer of skin.

After you have washed off your facial scrub, pat your face dry and apply a facial mask. This may seem like a lot of steps so feel free to alter this method in your own way. A facial mask will help draw out impurities and leave your face feeling soft, detoxified and glowing.

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Always remember to close up your pores after your final step of your facial routine to limit the amount of dirt that could build up again after. If you wish a toner is also a great method for closing up pores. Simply apply a little to your face and don’t wash off. Leave it on to do its work.

Your face should be nice prepped now so top it off with a good hydrating moisturizer to nourish your skin.

4. Get rid of under eye circles

If you suffer from dark or puffy under eye circles then you can decide to give them a VIP treatment as well.

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A large problem connected to dark circles is a lack of sleep so make sure you are well rested for your event. They are also caused by a build-up of blood underneath your eyes which gives them that puffiness and discoloration. Try giving yourself a facial massage around your eyes to sooth this blood flow issue.

Pressing your fingers on certain points around your cheekbones, temples and eyebrows will help correct this issue by draining the flow gradually into the rest of your face.

To really treat your eyes use eye patches and relax while they take effect. This will condition and hydrate your eyes which are of vital importance. They can reduce puffiness and aid the discoloration.

5. Preparing your body

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It is now time to fully move away from the face. If you are not a fan of waxing then now would be the perfect day to shave. Don’t shave too close to your skin or you can end up with red dots or irritated skin.

Once you are nicely prepped, treat yourself to a relaxing bubble bath to get rid of any built-up stress. Adding some bubble bath, bath crystals or bath bombs will supply calming scents to allow you to fully unwind.

If you want to take this a step further then why not light some scented candles or play soft, relaxing music. Take this opportunity to wash your body and hair for the following day.

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If you are styling your hair, then washing it the night before will help it to stay in place for longer as it will be most soft after a bath or shower.

As you relax use a body scrub to scrub away any dead skin cells that have built up. This will be a crucial step if you are applying a fake tan as this will prevent your tan from appearing patchy as your skin will be silky smooth all over.

Make sure to apply a lotion or a tanning moisturizer lotion after you exfoliate as this may dry out the skin if not treated correctly. When you are finished apply some oils or heat protective sprays to your hair to protect it from the heat of your hairdryer and to add a little extra nourishment.

6. Caring for your hands and feet

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Your nails will be particularly soft after a bath so now will be the perfect time to cut and file them into your desired shape. Don’t forget to clip your toenails as well as this will not only look better but also prevent ingrown toenails.

Our hands and feet endure a lot during the day when you consider how much we use them so try not to leave them out. Cold weather in particular can really dry out your skin so relaxing while leaving hand and feet masks on to condition them will do a great job of allowing your skin to absorb the moisture.

This will leave them feeling soft and protected from the damages the harsh weather and day-to-day activities can cause. Once your hands and feet are nicely cared for you can get extra preparation done for the following day by painting your nails and toenails with a polish that suits your outfit.

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If you are using a dark shade then try applying a clear base coat of polish to prevent staining your nail’s natural color. Run over your chosen shade with a clear top coat to add extra strength and shine.

You have now completed your preparation routine so make sure you get a good night sleep for the big event. Remember a well-rested night shows the next day.

Combine this with drinking plenty of water to keep hydrated and you will appear glowing by the next morning (before you have even begun applying your makeup!).

This tutorial is all about relaxation so don’t stress. Plan your preparation out in a manner which suits you.

About the author

Siobhan Carr

I live in a small town in Ireland and enjoy reading novels and magazines in my spare time. I am deeply interested in English and beauty therapy so writing about cosmetics is a huge passion of mine. I love animals, shopping, the theater and it is my dream to travel the world.

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