Galway Race Day Skincare Guide
Your dress is selected. You have a fabulous fascinator waiting, nestled in tissue paper. But is your skin prepped for race day? With Galway Race Day fast approaching, excitement levels are rising in the Ella & Jo office; our much-discussed outfits have finally been chosen, leaving only one thing left on the ‘to-do’ list – get that all-important race-ready glow.
Race day can be tougher on skin than an average day out. You’re at the mercy of the elements, come rain or shine, and you want to look picture perfect from gates open to evening entertainment. All that, with only a clutch bag for support – it’s no wonder preparation is so important.
The truth is, great race day skin can’t be created on the morning of the race. Race day skincare needs to be addressed right now, in the run-up to the big day. So read on to discover how to prep skin for race day, Ella & Jo style. After all, getting ready for the races is the best excuse to treat yourself to some shiny new skincare.
How to Prep Your Skin the Week Before the Races
The week before the race is the perfect time to start building your glow. A great place to start is with our Races Ready Skin Prep Bundle, a hand-picked edit of products to help you get plump, glowing skin, all at a great price, of course. We recommend starting your race day skin prep as early as possible; the ritual has four steps:
Cleanse: Each bundle contains a cleanser; choose Melt The Day Away Cleansing Balm for a deep, nourishing cleanse or Brighten & Glow for refreshing exfoliation.
Treat: Next, apply Hydrating Hyaluronic Serum straight onto your damp skin to lock in moisture. This will leave your skin plump and hydrated.
Hydrate eyes: Using your ring finger, gently massage Wide Awake Eye Gel into your eye contour, using outwards motions. This will help to brighten and depuff the whole eye area.
Moisturise: Finally, apply half a teaspoon of Plump & Protect Day Cream SPF 30 for extra nourishment and protection.
This Galway Races skincare set will leave your skin hydrated and glowing, giving you a radiant base for makeup application on the big day. As an added bonus, your skin will be properly prepped and primed for a beautiful streak-free tan.
Should You Fake Tan the Night Before the Races?
The golden rule of tanning is to always tan the night before a big event, rather than on the day itself. This will give you plenty of time to prepare for an even application and ensure your tan fully develops; it also avoids the risk of colour transferring onto your outfit.
Begin the process by preparing your skin. Make sure to fully exfoliate your face and body so your skin is smooth and free from oils and product residue. Next, apply a thin layer of moisturiser to the driest parts of your body, such as your knees, elbows and ankles; this will prevent tan clinging and becoming patchy.
Now you’re ready to tan! Our formula of choice is always a gradual tan; it’s easy to apply and gives a great colour with just a couple of applications. Our Race Day Prep Essentials set contains everything you need for a pretty bronzed look:
Hydrate & Glow Gradual Tan: This award-winning gradual tan is infused with glycerin and squalane to hydrate skin whilst giving you a sun-kissed glow. Start applying it a few nights before the races to build your perfect colour. Use a mitt to buff it over skin, then take the Kabuki Brush (also included in the set) to blend the product over your wrists, ankles and knees for a streak-free finish.
Face Filter Mist & Glow: Get that golden glow on your face with our easy-to-use face mist. Formulated to care for your skin, it will give you a radiant bronze look in just a few spritzes. Again, begin applying a few nights before to build up a warm glow for race day. Spray over clean skin and use the Kabuki Brush to gently blend around your hairline and eyebrows.
We like to apply these products before bed, so we wake to a golden glow – there’s no better mood booster than a good tan!
Skincare Routine on Race Day Morning
Less is more on race day morning. You’ve done your ladies’ day beauty prep and your skin is bronzed with a hydrated skin barrier; now all that’s left is a simple skincare routine to protect your skin.
Begin with a simple cleanse, and then apply a face mask for a final boost of hydration and radiance. If you’re looking for a new face mask, check out our special mask bundle. It includes The Miracle Mask and The Glow Up Enzyme Mask, giving you two targeted treatments to choose from – they also work well layered together.
Once your mask has worked its magic, remove and finish with a facial SPF. This is one of the most important products in your race day beauty routine and is non-negotiable for an outdoor event. Don’t be fooled by a grey Irish sky; UVA rays can penetrate cloud cover and contribute to premature skin ageing and even skin cancer. It’s really not worth the risk. Plump & Protect Day Cream SPF30 hydrates as it protects, creating the perfect base for makeup.
How Do You Keep Your Makeup Fresh All Day at the Races?
With your skincare for race day sorted, the only thing left to do is pack your clutch bag. Luckily, our Co-Founder Charlene has you covered! She’s curated a bundle of must-haves to keep you glowing and protected throughout the day.
Charlene’s Handbag Essentials bundle combines:
Love Your Lips – our nourishing lip treatment is infused with superfood oils that will plump your pout with lasting hydration and a touch of shine.
Hydrate & Plump Skin Mist – an absolute essential for your occasion skincare routine, this fine facial spray will instantly refresh and set your makeup while giving the skin a much-needed boost of mid-afternoon moisture.
Invisible SPF Mist SPF30 – sun protection should be topped up every 2 hours when you’re spending time outdoors. This clever spray can be used directly over makeup and absorbs instantly without leaving a white cast.
For those travelling light, Charlene has also created a two-product bundle combining Love Your Lips and Hydrate & Plump Skin Mist.
Your outfit's ready, your fascinator's waiting, and now your skin is too. Shop all our Races Ready bundles and get race day glow that lasts from first race to last dance. Not sure where to start? Take our free AI Skin Analysis and we'll build your routine in under two minutes.
FAQs
-
When should I start prepping my skin for race day?
Healthy, glowing skin is a great foundation for any race day look, so we recommend beginning preparation as soon as possible. Our Races Ready Skin Prep Bundle is the perfect way to prep your complexion for the big day. If you already have a good skincare ritual, you might want to add in an extra treatment a few times per week to give your skin an extra boost. Try our mask bundle for instant hydration and glow.
-
How do I stop fake tan transferring onto my outfit?
Gradual tanners are our product of choice for achieving a beautiful, fuss-free glow with no worry of tell-tale tan marks or transfer. Begin applying a few days before the event, and build up the colour to your perfect shade. It’s that easy!
-
What should I put in my handbag for the races?
A hydrating lip treatment is a must. This will help your lip colour last all day and keep your lips smooth and glossy from race to evening parties. We also recommend taking an SPF spray to top up your sun protection.
-
Do I need SPF at the races even if it’s cloudy?
Yes, you do! Don’t be fooled by a grey, gloomy sky. UVA rays can penetrate the clouds, leaving your skin vulnerable to premature ageing and sun damage. Make SPF part of your morning skincare ritual before makeup, and then top up your protection with a sunscreen spray – our Invisible SPF Mist SPF 30 can be spritzed directly over makeup.
