How Celebrities Prep For The Red Carpet…Or How I Prep For My Birthday

I’m not a fan of birthdays. To me, they’re a reminder that the clock is ticking, that my days are numbered, that I’m one year farther from my youth and one year closer to the grave. Call me insane (it’s ok, I’ve heard it before), but I don’t need a reminder.

As I mentioned in this post here about birthdays, I’ve tried to make it an epic event, do something extraordinary so that I can focus on the adventure and not on my decay. Yes, I’m being dramatic. And of course, I’m kidding (somewhat). But please allow me a short pity party. I promise I’ll snap back (if I haven’t lost all my elasticity, that is). As the song says, it’s my (birthday) party and I’ll cry if I want to.

The mid of any decade has always been harder for me than the last year of the decade. The last year of the decade I’m all full of hope. Out with old and in with the new sort of thing. I’ve had time to adjust, to acclimate, to get used to my new normal. And I’ve had time to prep.

For the past 10 years or so, I’ve prepped for the big day. This year, however, I’ve been traveling, and busy with other things and I haven’t had time to do a proper prep. (Say that three times fast.)

And by proper prep, I don’t mean buy a cute outfit and get my hair done. I don’t even mean prepping like I’m going to my high school reunion kind of prep. I take my birthday prep to a whole new level. I’m talking about prepping like an A-lister preps for the red carpet. I super prep.

I’m a super prepper.

I take my awards show — I mean my birthday seriously. This is the big leagues, Chickies. During birthday season (three months before the big day), I am relentless. Usually.

But I’ve noticed that since I take really, really good care of myself throughout the year, I haven’t had to do that much before my birthday this year.

I’m like a car: Regular vehicle maintenance is important so that it (me) doesn’t require major work at some point.

ButI thought I’d share what I normally do leading up to the big day. The secret rituals and tricks for getting red-carpet — ahem, birthday ready in case you want to prep for your bid day.

A fit body is a young body

If you know me, you know I workout regularly throughout the year. But leading up to the main event, I train for youth. A mix of cardio and weight training 5 days a week. No, I don’t feel like working out today crap. No, one day won’t make a difference nonsense. I take my butt to the gym no matter what.

No matter what.

Having a younger-looking body on my birthday is as necessary as it is to breathe.

Eat for youth

As far as nutrition is concerned, I don’t change much. I eat clean most of the time, but I’m a little stricter during the season. No sugar. No burgers. No fries. Wine?

Look, wine is as obligatory on this birthday as a shot of cheap alcohol is when you turn 21.

There are some occasions that call for wine and this is one of them. A little numbing in this situation is totally necessary — to take the aging edge off — to make me forget how freaking old I am.

As Jane Fonda says to Lily Tomlin in the Netflix show, Grace & Frankie, “Alcohol has its own rules.”

Side note: Funny, funny show.

Hydrate from the inside

Aside from the wine, I also need lots of hydration. To be honest, I’m not really good about drinking water. I’m much better at drinking wine.

But somehow with the promise of another year closer to old lady skin, I remember to drink plenty of water.

Face: My version of a red carpet facial

I get regular facials (about once a month) because my skin needs it. I get extractions, peels, the standard stuff. At home, I’m super diligent about my routines already too. I may do a few weeks of my ZO Medical hydroquinone treatments if I have pigmentation. And I ramp up the retinol game. I recently upgraded my retinoid to 0.1% because like I said, I’m in the big leagues now.

This week I tried a new tightening laser. I wish I could have done it on my entire body, but you know, money.

And of course…

Botox Baby

Two weeks before the event, I tweak. I get a little between my brows, on my crow’s feet (if needed) and zee neck (again, if needed). I also evaluate my filler situation. I’ve noticed that I don’t need fillers that often anymore because fillers help stimulate your own collagen. I now get them about once a year and not too much. It’s like an oil change.

Hair

Rejuvenation hair routine:

Weekly deep conditioning masks.

Two weeks before or thereabouts, I get my keratin straightening treatment done although this year, I’m waiting until July to do this.

Right before I leave for my birthday destination, I get my hair colored and cut.

My hair extensions are usually on call, but I haven’t had the need to use them since my hair is looking mighty youthful these days because of a new routine. But, I may whip them out soon because I love them! Long, shiny locks equal young looking locks. I use the clip-on versions. I wrote a whole post on them here.

And that’s it, really. Not too complicated, right? One day. One day, Chickies, I will retire to Tuscany and let myself go age gracefully. You’ll see.

Now you: I’d love to know your tips and tricks before your big day. Let me know in the comments below. Did I miss anything?

xoxo,

V