I've Been a Celeb Aesthetician for 40 Years—How I Prep My Clients for the Red Carpet

"Toner is the first essential step after cleansing. It restores the skin's natural pH and primes it for everything that follows. Toners are massively under-appreciated, but they're vital. That’s why I formulated mine with the cleanest, most effective ingredients: hyaluronic acid, fruit sugars, prebiotics, sea chamomile, and stable vitamin C—to hydrate, calm inflammation, repair the barrier, and protect against stress. You can see the difference immediately."

"The BioMagic Mask, also known as the Red Carpet Masque, is one of my all-time favorites. Built on white clay, wheat germ oil, and vitamins A and E, it purifies, tightens pores, and clarifies the complexion without drying. I recommend applying a thin layer for 15 20 minutes before a big event—it leaves skin firmer, glowing, and perfectly prepped for makeup."

"This is one of my go‑to products. It calms my stage 1 rosacea while deeply hydrating skin. I often blend it with my C+ Serum for extra soothing hydration and protection against oxidative stress throughout the day. It visibly reduces redness, hydrates every layer, boosts collagen, and restores skin immunity. It's lightweight yet powerful, one of my absolute essentials!"

"I'm a big fan of Milk."

"For lashes, it's always Dior mascara. It gives great definition while keeping things soft and elegant—just how I like it!"

"The Cream is my daily armor for skin. It's rich but absorbs quickly, locking in hydration without feeling heavy or greasy. I especially love using it in the summer because, unlike most creams on the market, it helps prevent hyperpigmentation, which is a huge concern for so many of my clients. I often tell people that hydration is key to healthy skin, and this cream delivers—it's light enough for warm weather and powerful enough to protect and repair."

"The C+ Serum is an absolute must. It's packed with multiple stable forms of vitamin C to brighten, hydrate, even skin tone, and protect collagen from environmental damage. It's ultra-lightweight, absorbs instantly, and feels velvety, never sticky or oily. It uses the most stable form of vitamin C, making it perfect even for sensitive skin that normally can’t tolerate it."

"I'm a longtime fan of the LYMA Laser! It's the most effective at-home skincare tool I've ever worked with, and it delivers clinical-grade results without compromising the skin barrier. As a cold laser, it's completely non-invasive and pain-free, yet it transforms the skin: smoothing fine lines, improving elasticity, evening tone, and even helping with pigmentation, acne, and rosacea. I've used it to prep clients like Sabrina Carpenter, Phoebe Dynevor, and Cynthia Erivo before major red carpet moments—it's a must in their skincare routines and an essential part of mine."

"Milk blush and bronze sticks are effortless to blend and give the skin a natural radiance."

"This is a true beauty trick in a bottle. It detangles my hair while adding this gorgeous, natural-looking shine. Plus, it protects and repairs to keep my hair healthy and strong, no matter how much I style it or travel."

"This is my go-to sheet mask, it's super hydrating and actually works. The best part? It has little ear loops so it stays put. I can even do my handstands with it on!"

"The Balm is my ultimate rescue product—it's intensely nourishing but never heavy or greasy. I use it anytime my skin feels dry, irritated, or inflamed, especially after flights or during the harsh NYC winters. It's like a comforting hug that instantly soothes redness and repairs the skin barrier. I love its versatility. I apply it on dry patches, use it as an overnight mask, or smooth it on sensitive areas needing extra care. It's truly a multitasker that keeps skin calm, hydrated, and resilient no matter the stressors."

"I keep this lip oil gloss in my bag—it hydrates beautifully and adds just the right amount of shine."

"The Rosemary Enzyme Cleanser was created in collaboration with EvolveTogether because Cynthia Sakai and I both agree that cleansing is the foundation of healthy skin. It's gentle yet effective, it dissolves impurities and dead skin without stripping or irritation. The rosemary enzymes brighten, refresh, and calm, making it perfect for all skin types, especially sensitive skin. It's a clean formula I trust to take with me when I travel, my go-to for keeping skin balanced on the move, which I need with my busy schedule moving from place to place so often."

"I love this hair mask because it's enriched with Abyssinian and avocado oils to deeply nourish and strengthen without weighing hair down. Paired with their Hair Towel, it's perfection."

“Hårklinikken approaches scalp and hair health with the same scientific insight I bring to skincare. The towel is a gentle essential that minimizes breakage and frizz, allowing delicate hair to dry with less damage.”

"For mists, the key is finding something that balances your skin's pH, and this mist does that and more. I love bringing it on the go to hydrate my skin and give it an extra glow, but it's also a secret weapon for stimulating cell metabolism and boosting cell regeneration."

"I use these eye masks before events or even while traveling! It instantly cools, calms, and tightens under-eye puffiness and dark circles. I love chilling them in the fridge before use for that extra refreshing boost. Within 20 minutes, the contour is visibly smoother, firmer, and more resilient, perfect for when skin needs to look its most awake and refined."

"Dr. Des Fernandes is one of my heroes in the skincare industry, and his product line, Environ, is one of the best I've ever used. This body lotion seriously transforms the look and feel of your skin with its thoughtful vitamin A formulation, exfoliating, softening, and energizing the skin. I recommend it to all of my clients."

"I use the body lotion in combination with the Vitamin A, C, and E body oil every single night.”

"I wind down in bed using the Celluma, an LED light therapy device that targets inflammation. It's one of the only at-home devices I truly trust—it's noninvasive, FDA-cleared, and delivers real results. I've used LED therapy for over 20 years, and Celluma remains my tried and true."

"I love a good bath and take them often—but never without this bath oil. The scent is beautiful, and just half a capful is all you need because it's so potent. The best part is the way it absorbs into your skin, leaving you soft and nourished with zero greasy residue in the tub."

"Fischersund's No. 23 has become one of my signature scents. It's beautifully smoky and sexy, with notes of anise seed, black pepper, tobacco seeds, and Icelandic Sitka spruce. I love that it's not sweet, but instead it feels grounding and elegant. To add my signature spin to the scent, I mix in a touch of patchouli oil for depth—that signature smoky warmth feels just right."