The brilliant and bizarre Oscar beauty 'tweakments' you can try for a-list skin

Dominique Temple

Updated March 1, 2018 at 4:00 PM

The Academy Awards are without a doubt the most anticipated of all awards shows and entices the most elite of Hollywood's celebrities out onto the red carpet. The lead up to such a hugely televised event takes a little more than a good moisturiser and eye cream for most of the stars. You don't really think they all roll out of bed looking as glowing and polished as they will appear on Sunday evening?

Ahead of this weekend's Oscars, we quizzed the industry's biggest skincare experts on what their secret rituals are when getting their celebrity clients ready for the red carpet.

Dr David Colbert

Clients include: Sienna Miller, Michelle Williams, Caitriona Balfe, Naomi Watts and Lily Aldridge.

"The consequences of late nights and lots of make-up is dehydrated skin, bags, dark circles and a sallow complexions," says go-to dermatologist Dr David Colbert. "All celebrities know that polished skin means they will look better on camera."

In the weeks before the BAFTAS, Oscars, premieres and other big red carpet events, patients of renowned New York dermatologist David Colbert book into his clinic at New York Dermatology Group for his iconic Triad and Runway facial treatments. These non-invasive skin therapies enhance skin luminosity, clarity and, in the case of the red carpet, offer a tightening effect, all with zero downtime.

Red Light Body Rejuvenation

This is an entire body phototherapy process that enhances the performance of aging cells. In the same way that plants use chlorophyll to convert sunlight into plant tissue, the high-intensity light of the LED in the collagen bed triggers a natural bio-stimulatory effect in the human body. Red light waves increase nutrient flow to the skin, spur on collagen growth and expedite wound healing. Red light therapy also stimulates vital collagen and elastin production which plumps and firms the skin, improving texture, clarity and leaving stars red carpet ready.

Regular sessions can increase circulation, accelerate tissue repair, decrease inflammation, as well as ease muscle and joint pain. This further helps to prevent and treat wrinkles as increased circulation encourages the production of new skin cells. This is a firm treatment of choice for many celebrities over the award season.

Collagen bed ￡200 for 30 minutes

Available as of March 15th at Harrods Wellness Clinic

NYDG Triad Facial

Developed by Dr Colbert, this treatment delivers the cosmetic boost of a facial with longer term dermatological benefits. It involves three regenerative steps:

1. Microdermabrasion to gently prime the skin surface

2. Laser toning to help boost collagen, improve elasticity and stimulate cellular renewal

3. A personalised glycolic peel to gently exfoliate the skin and reveal a fresher-looking complexion. Patients can benefit from visibly improved skin texture, tone and enhanced collagen production.

Triad (face) ￡800

Triad (face, neck & décolletage) ￡1,500

Available at Harrods Wellness Clinic under the medical direction of Costas Papageorgiou MD FACS.

Night before

"In the run up to an event, gently exfoliate using a peel or these user friendly facial discs 2-3 times a week for a healthy glow," advises Dr Colbert. On the morning of your event, apply to a clean, damp face in a circular motion, continuing for 30 to 60 seconds. Rinse immediately with water, then apply skincare and make-up.

Dr Colbert MD Intensify Facial Discs, ￡60

Dr Colbert MD Illumino Face Oil, ￡110

During Make-up Prep

NYDG Re-Contour Eye Gel, ￡55

Gently apply NYDG Re-Contour Eye Gel to soothe, hydrate and rejuvenate the eye contour area before applying make-up. Try keeping it in the fridge overnight for ultra-cooling and maximum help fighting puffiness or any dark circles.

NYDG Luminizing Skin Essence, ￡95

For optimum texture and tone, apply this skin essence by pressing it gently into the skin as your last step before makeup. The Victoria Secret models even apply it to their arms and legs for a supple, slightly glowing effect before stepping onto the catwalk.

Everyday tips

Dr Colbert believes that glowing, healthy skin is strongly related to gut health, he advises his celebrity patients to be extra mindful of their diet in the lead up to a big event like the Oscars. “In my book The High School Reunion Diet, I urge people to avoid excess sugars and alcohol, to drink at least 6 glasses of water a day, starting in the next five minutes. And sleep… lots. Follow a sleep routine that involves winding down from the day and relaxing.

Natura Bisse

There will also be those celebrities who expect a make-up artist to erase or conceal the fact that they haven't been that rigorous with their skincare regime or if they have been going out a lot, to hide tiredness. "It's our job to correct and hydrate what we can to ensure our clients have the best skin possible," says the Natura Bisse's Education & Aesthetic Manager, Hannah Ralston- Paloma. To ensure that their clients are glowing the Natura Bisse team follow the below regime to enhance all skin types and woes.

1. Start with a thorough cleanse using Diamond White Rich Luxury Cleanse. It will clean without stripping your skin of its natural oils.

Diamond White Rich Luxury Cleanse, ￡112

2. Refresh and restore your skin's PH with a toner

Natura Bisse Tolerance Toner ￡42

3. Cocktail together a serum, a layer of rich moisturiser and finish with a light film of eye cream for triple the hydration. Ideally, make-up needs to look natural as the skin needs to maintain its radiance for hours, under the camera flashes and throughout the gala. It is really difficult to find the balance between glowing and shiny skin: that’s why this first step in preparation is so important.

Natura Bisse Diamond Extreme, ￡288

Containing a blend of natural ingredients, such as artemia salina, extracts of aramanth, mango, shea, and edelweiss flower, this hydrating face cream will stimulate the skin’s cellular metabolism, improve elasticity and enhance your complexion.

Natura Bisse Diamond Extreme Eye Cream, ￡167

A dedicated eye cream and lifting treatment that will leave skin feeling hydrated, restored and noticeably smoother.

Nurse Jamie

Clients include: Kim Kardashian, Ashley Graham, Jessica Alba, Rita Ora

Nurse Jamie is one of the go-to beauty gurus in Hollywood and has many tools and tricks up her sleeve to get her client's skin looking its best. Her recent innovation is a silicone mask which is an innovative way to supercharge your hydration ritual.

Nurse Jamie Face Wrap Skin Perfecting Silicone Mask, ￡25

Inspired by silicone scar treatment technology, the mask is made from ultra-thin, stretch silicone and designed to be used with your favourite moisturiser or hydrating mask. After just one use, your skin will appear smoother, refreshed and glowing.