Chinese New Year for the Chinese is like Christmas to the western world. Instead of giving presents, parents and married couples give their blessings through red packets (usually with money in it). Prepping early for this huge event is highly recommended. There are some important things to do such as spring cleaning, decorating the homes with bright colors, shop for new outfits (this is one of my favorite reason) and of course, get a haircut and facial done.

At times, we are so busy with our lives that we tend to neglect our skin and skip facials altogether. I would usually wait till the very last minute and make a call to the salon, only to find out that they’re fully booked. If you’re going through the same issue, do not panic! These are the steps and products I would use to keep my skin hydrated and firm a few weeks before Chinese New Year.

DAY/NIGHT SKINCARE ROUTINE

1. Double cleanse. It’s important to remove all the makeup, especially at night, and make sure the surface of our skin is cleanse thoroughly. (AM and PM)
2. Use a scrub every alternate day for a week. (night only)
3. Prep the skin with a milky toner like L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Toner. The texture is silky soft and it absorbs into the skin really quickly, yet providing a layer of moisture on the surface of the skin. (AM and PM)
4. Dab some eye cream on the under eye areas to help minimize the fine lines and puffiness. I find L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Eye Cream helps. (AM and PM)
5. Apply an intensive serum/essence such as L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Essense that helps to restore youthfulness to the skin. Apply it at areas where your skin losses its elasticity most, such as the cheeks, neck and jawline. (AM and PM)
6. Use a daily moisturizer with SPF can help reduce signs of aging and keep your skin hydrated. Look into L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Day Cream with SPF 23. I find this a little on the heavy side, so use sparingly, but make sure you apply it all over your face and neck. (Day only)
7. At night, our skin requires a more intensive and hydrated moisturizer, especially if you’re sleeping in an air-conditioned room. Use a lightweight cream such as L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Night Cream that hydrates, firm and lift your skin. (night only)