The 5 Best Glow-Giving Facials To See You Through The Party Season

“From glow-inducing skin steaming to the lifting and contouring benefits of the signature massage right through to the ultra-plumping effects of the Skinesis 3D Moisture Infusion Mask, every step of this facial serves as the ultimate skin prep for a big event. Plus, there’s no lingering post-facial redness – just a taut, radiant canvas that’s perfectly primed for makeup, meaning you can book in just a few hours before your evening out. What’s more, each product is taken down your neck, décolleté and upper arms. There’s even a generous amount massaged into your upper back and shoulders, making it ideal if you’re planning to wear something strapless or backless. The facial begins with a standard deep cleanse (using Chapman’s cult cleansing duo, Ultimate Cleanse and Rapid Radiance) followed by extractions, and a tailored peel (lactic, mandelic or glycolic) customized to your skin’s needs and sensitivity level. Then comes the famed signature massage. What felt like 20 glorious minutes was dedicated to thorough yet still gentle kneading, flicking, pinching, tapping and rolling with focused attention on the brows, jawline and cheeks for extra sculpting. To finish, a blast of medical-grade red and infrared LED calms inflammation (we all have some level) and stimulates collagen production. The result was glowy not greasy skin with a snatched effect that lasted a full 48 hours.” – Malena Harbers, beauty editor

Facialist’s tip: “The steam not only softens the skin, making manual extractions more comfortable and relaxing, but also helps every product applied afterwards absorb more effectively.”

“As winter and the party season fast approach, and the glow from my Tuscan holiday fades, a visit to 111Skin for its renowned Celestial Black Diamond Face Lift facial was much needed. This luxurious and transformative 10-step treatment includes surgically inspired masks and exfoliating acids, using products that are enriched with retinol – and even fine-diamond particles. Facialist and Global Head of Aesthetics for 111Skin, Milena Naydenov, contoured my face with 111Skin’s signature sculpting massage techniques, which left my skin looking taut and my cheekbones appearing more prominent. I particularly enjoyed the Wand massage; it made the skin around my eyes look completely revived. Milena advised doing the facial the same day as an event, but it was when I caught sight of my reflection the day after (sadly, just doing the grocery shopping) that I was blown away by my radiant, smooth complexion. Not one to add to your regular facial calendar, this is one to save for a major event, when you really want to turn heads.” – Alice Casely-Hayford, content director

Facialist’s tip: “Mix 111Skin’s Rose Gold Radiance Booster with your favorite body lotion and use it on shoulders, back and bare legs – it makes the skin look amazing, especially in photographs.”

“I’m always in pursuit of a radiant glow for my skin, but there are many factors – particularly in the colder months – that work against this. Dr. Barbara Sturm’s products are renowned for their scientific high-performance factor, and the effects are particularly astounding when they are expertly layered together in the Signature SturmGlow Facial. A deep enzyme cleanse and exfoliation starts the process – the products lavishly painted on by brush and gently removed with a warm flannel – before a satisfyingly thorough extraction. Then comes the anti-lymphatic Signature Massage, which is as effective as it is relaxing, designed to increase blood and oxygen flow, diminish puffiness, and tone and lift the facial muscles – with the resulting definition around my jaw and cheekbones undeniable. Incorporating soothing, moisture-boosting and redness-reducing products like the Hyaluronic Serum and Rich Face Cream, it achieves picture-perfect luminosity, without going high shine. In fact, when I went out for dinner several hours later, friends remarked on the wonders of my pregnancy glow (which had, for the past six months, been completely non-existent). I let them in on the secret.” – Katie Berrington, senior editor

Facialist’s tip: “If your skin feels tight in colder months, mix a drop of a hyaluronic acid serum into your moisturiser before applying – it helps the skin to absorb more moisture, keeping it radiant for longer.”

“Ultra-dewy and clear skin? Sign me up. The Korean beauty ‘glass skin’ trend has been flooding our feeds with super-hydrated and radiant skin courtesy of multi-step routines for a few years now. If you need a glow up before a festive event consider La Prairie’s Brightening Glass Skin Facial, which promises this coveted effect in just 60 minutes. This ultra-thorough treatment starts with a double cleanse and tone to prep skin for a gentle yet effective peel, a hydrating and firming mask and a cocktail of rejuvenating serums and creams. The addition of unique lymphatic drainage massage techniques worked deeply to detoxify and sculpt my skin while supporting collagen and elastin production. And it’s not just your complexion that’s renewed: this is a deeply relaxing, sensory experience that calms the mind, too. Perfect for before or even the morning after any big event.” – Gillian Brett, head of fashion content

Facialist’s tip: “I highly recommend using an essence, it really changes your skincare routine. The La Prairie White Caviar Essence Extraordinaire opens up the gateways of your skin to allow for better absorption of your skincare. This is the first step before your serum, so we call it a pre-serum.’

“This is easily one of the most transformative pre-party treatments I’ve had. It begins with a quick skin analysis before moving into a deep, beautifully gentle cleanse to clear away any city grit. An enzyme exfoliation mask smooths everything out and brightens the surface, but the real magic happens with the gua sha: slow, cool sculpting strokes that boost circulation, melt tension and visibly de-puff the jawline and cheekbones. From there, the esthetician moves into an indulgent anti-aging massage using Sisley’s richer creams – think lifted, firmer, more awake skin. A layer of Sisley Black Rose mask floods the skin with hydration and radiance, and the treatment finishes with Sisley’s anti-aging longevity serums to lock in that fresh, defined glow.” – Victoria Newton-Syms, content manager

Facialist’s tip: “Spend an extra five minutes doing some facial massage on yourself on the day of a big event to boost circulation for an enhanced glow.”