With planning which shows to attend, requesting samples for outfits, and confirming coverage, Fashion Week prep often begins months in advance. And no matter how much you plan ahead of time, things always seem to pop up and derail the whole day, which is why I’ve learned just how important self-care can be during the whole process — especially when this much-needed TLC comes in the form of Sunday Riley facials.
Set up in The Mercer, a luxury boutique hotel situated on a busy corner in SoHo, the sunny facial suite was the perfect pit stop between New York Fashion Week shows. I saw notable guests like Dorinda Medley and supermodel Isabeli Fontana, TikTokers Audrey Peters and Davis Burleson, and influencers like Serena Kerrigan, and Harry Hill.
Starting with Sunday Riley’s origins in 2009, her formulas instantly became a backstage must-have, with countless makeup artists raving over Good Genes‘ ability to prep the skin so well in such a short amount of time. In the years that followed, fashion houses such as Alice and Olivia, Jason Wu, Victoria Beckham, and The Row would all come to rely on Sunday Riley skincare when showcasing their collections. Later, magic would happen on the runway when two cruelty-free brands collided. In 2015, Sunday Riley was responsible for the enviable glow seen at Stella McCartney’s resort collection. Cut to 2021, when the brand was honored by becoming the first official partner of Milano Fashion Week. The shows of Marni, Genny, Alexandra Moura, Tokyo James, Joy Meribe, Marco Rambaldi, and Fab Five all depended on Sunday Riley skincare to provide glowing and radiant skin.
When it was my turn to experience the ultimate skin revamp, I was greeted with immense sunlight as Elenia Lackman, an esthetician who has worked over five Fashion Week seasons with Sunday Riley, began working her magic on my skin.
What Goes into a Sunday Riley Facial?
Even though I’ve lived in New York for over four years, my Texas roots mean my skin has yet to adjust to the cold weather and dryness, and after a little spell of some contact dermatitis, I was eager for some much-needed care. Lackman began by leading a brief breath work session by adding a few drops of the Luna Sleeping Night Oil to her palms and wafting the luxe scent my way. Next came double cleansing, starting with Blue Moon Clean Rinse Cleansing Balm, and half a pipette of the restorative Juno Antioxidant + Superfood Face Oil, then a notable intermission, courtesy of the Pink Drink Firming Resurfacing Essence, a refreshing power drink for the skin that let me fall into a deep state of relaxation.
The double cleanse continued with Ceramic Slip Cleanser and one pump of the brand’s best-selling Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment, which rapidly exfoliates and boosts naturally youthful radiance. This Flash Fix facial and double cleanse proved necessary after a morning of wearing more makeup than usual, especially around my eyes. Without stripping my skin, it felt cleaner and fresher than it did that morning.
After a handful more spritzes of the Pink Drink came the exfoliation — three pumps of Good Genes Glycolic Acid Treatment, which helps to repair the look of dull, congested, and sun-damaged skin.
Since I had just experienced a pretty severe case of perioral dermatitis, a skin disorder that resembles rosacea and leaves tiny red bumps around the mouth and nose, I was most nervous about any exfoliants that might cause another breakout but was left in awe at how my skin didn’t have a negative reaction to the product.
Must-Needed Hydration
Then came the part of the facial I always find the most exciting: the massage. After applying a generous glop of the C.E.O. Vitamin C Rich Hydration Cream — a deeply hydrating, antioxidant-rich moisturizer — with one pipette of the C.E.O. Glow Vitamin C and Turmeric Face Oil for brightening, Lackman went ahead and firmly-yet-gently distributed the re-energizing combo on my chest area and face, in that order.
She deeply tapped every muscle in my face, and I felt the tension release, especially around my jaw and eyes. Then came one pump of the C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum to help minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, followed by one pump of the Auto Correct Brightening and Depuffing Eye Contour Cream around the orbital bone and eye area. For the final step, Lackman locked in my newfound glow with the C.E.O. Afterglow Brightening Vitamin C Gel Cream, an anti-aging, anti-pore powerhouse that truly gets the job done.
If this experience taught me anything, it’s that I should always start each Fashion Week with a facial from here on out.
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