In the run-up to the Oscars, Sarah Chapman decamps from her eponymous London salon for the San Vicente bungalows in West Hollywood, to give clients her famous ‘light-bulb glow’ before they walk the red carpet. “Ideally, I see clients the day before their event,” she explains. “But they also have to do some work beforehand at home – and it’s amazing how much difference you can make in a short time. For the biggest improvement, the focus is on cleansing, ideally using a steamer, and to really massage in the cleanser, using your knuckles to work it in. Just doing this, for five days, leaves skin ultra-clean and bright – and if there’s time, I also get clients to use my 10-Day Radiance Recharge System ampoule kit. What you eat also has a big effect: cutting out spicy food, salt, processed foods, sugar and diary for three weeks can make a big difference to your skin and body – especially when it comes to bloating. For skin that’s breaking out, I advise clients to cut out sugar, dairy and alcohol and I get them to take The Beauty Chef Inner Beauty Powder to get their skin in a good place.”

Hydrating the skin is key and Chapman also likes to exfoliate before using skincare containing hyaluronic acid, so that it can penetrate the skin properly. “It’s what makes the skin look plump and dewy. If a client’s lost a bit of weight, for example, and their face is looking a bit ‘empty’ and tired, then we can do some radio frequency to tighten the skin. I also like to do microneedling to get more active ingredients into the skin.”

With all the work done beforehand, on the actual day of an event, Chapman advises clients to use a hydrating sheet mask that has been chilled in the refrigerator, which helps get rid of puffiness. “Alternatively,” says Chapman, “you can half-fill a balloon with water and freeze it, then roll it over your face to firm and invigorate skin and reduce puffiness.”

Camila and Lais Perez’s lymphatic massage is known to be so effective and immediate that A-listers come to them on the day of the red carpet for their ‘High Definition’ massage. Unsurprisingly, the award season is one of the busiest times for this Brazilian mother-and-daughter duo, who spilt their time (and appointments) between Miami, New York and LA to tend to their high-profile clients – whom they are far too discreet to name (rumored to be the likes of Kim Kardashian, Bella Hadid and J-Lo). Their sought-after technique is based on a tissue-release pressure massage, cupping and specially blended tightening creams from Brazil. “Depending on what the client is wearing on the red carpet, and whether they are showing legs, arms or need a smaller waistline, we customize their treatment to sculpt, ‘de-bloat’ and enhance muscle tone.” But what can you do in the run-up to an event? According to the Perezes, drinking a cup of dandelion, fennel or nettle-leaf tea every day for one week before is particularly transformative for water retention. They also recommend drinking Calms magnesium powder dissolved in warm water, every evening before bed, for a week – especially if you’re feeling bloated.

When you eat, and what not to eat, also play an important part in body prep. The Perezes recommend avoiding vegetables that cause fermentation, such as broccoli and asparagus, which are both known to bloat. They also tell clients not to eat after 6pm. “The lymph is doing its best work at night to clear away toxins from the day and to increase the blood flow. So, say it’s Tuesday and your event is on Saturday, eat lightly before 6pm every night and fast until breakfast the following day – it really does make a difference,” explains Camila. And for an extra boost, the Perezes recommend daily detoxing baths using a cocktail of Epsom salts, rosemary sprigs and fennel seeds – “This increases energy and blood flow, but is also great for the gut when absorbed through the skin.”