Holiday Glow-Up: Your Skincare Prep for the Party Season

It’s funny how December shows up almost uninvited. One week you’re scrolling through gift ideas, and the next, you’re juggling dinners, rooftop drinks, work parties, and that one family gathering you forgot to RSVP to. Somewhere in the middle of all that, you look in the mirror and realise—yep, your skin is absolutely part of your outfit.

And while makeup can finish a look, the real magic happens earlier. Skin that’s already hydrated, calm, and a bit bouncy makes everything easier. Foundation goes on more smoothly. Highlighter suddenly looks classy instead of glittery. Even your face in candid photos looks fresher. 

So let’s walk through some practical, low-stress tips for your skincare before party kick off—without turning your bathroom into a day spa.

1. Reset Week: Your Pre-Holiday Skin Preparation

Think of Week One as a mini detox—but not the dramatic sort. More like tidying your desk before a big project. Nothing extreme. Just a gentle reset.

Dial up your cleansing game.
Summer means SPF, sweat, makeup, and the general city “grime layer.” A soft double-cleanse in the evenings works wonders. First step removes the surface stuff. The second step actually cleans your skin. If your face feels squeaky afterwards, you’ve gone too far; you want comfort, not tightness.

Bring back light exfoliation.
Try a mild enzymatic formula or a gentle chemical exfoliant once or twice a week. This helps lift the rougher surface layer so your hydrating products can actually do their job. Jericho’s mineral-infused exfoliating options are great for this because they soothe while they refine. Even studies show that bathing in a magnesium-rich Dead Sea salt solution can significantly improve skin barrier function, which is exactly what you need after stripping away the grime.

Check your hydration levels.
Does your makeup start to flake around your nose? Does your skin feel stiff after cleansing? Those are classic dehydration signals. Layer a hyaluronic or glycerin-based serum under your moisturiser. Humectants cling to moisture in the air—useful when the Aussie climate swings between sticky and bone-dry.

2. Hydration Phase: The Holiday Skincare Routine Foundation

Once your skin feels smoother, it’s time to focus on holding hydration rather than chasing it. This step is the bedrock of your holiday skin prep.

Pick a moisturiser suited for warm weather.
Lightweight—but not flimsy—is the goal. Many people don’t realise how helpful Dead Sea minerals can be for this step. Jericho’s formulas use them to strengthen the moisture barrier, which is gold when you’re dealing with sun, air conditioning, and sweat on rotation.

Add a hydrating mask once or twice a week.
This is one of those steps you’ll thank yourself for. Pop a gel mask in the fridge, apply it after a long day, and your face instantly feels cooler and calmer. If redness or heat sensitivity is your thing, this is your new friend.

Extend the routine past your jawline.
Summer fashion means these areas are on show. They’re thinner, more delicate, and age faster when neglected. Smooth your serums and moisturiser past the jawline—no special technique required, just consistency.

3. Glow Strategy: Achieving Radiance Without Looking Glittery

Real glow has nothing to do with glitter. It’s the result of balanced hydration, mild resurfacing, and steady nourishment.

Check your ingredients list.
Niacinamide is brilliant for refining pores and calming redness. Vitamin C brightens and helps even tone. And Dead Sea salts feed the skin essential minerals that give it a healthy, awake look with time. Think of them as a quiet support staff working behind the scenes.

Go easy on oils before big nights.
Oils can be lovely, but under summer humidity, they sometimes misbehave—makeup slips, pores clog, shine escalates. Save heavier oils for evenings when you’re staying home.

Use a polishing treatment sparingly.
A soft scrub or mineral buff every week or so can smooth the texture beautifully. Just don’t get carried away. Too much exfoliation is one of the fastest ways to sabotage your glow.

4. Sun, Sweat, and Events: Your Skincare Routine on Holiday

The Australian holiday season isn’t exactly gentle. You move from blazing heat to icy air conditioning, back to heat, then maybe out for a late dinner. All those shifts can throw skin off balance.

Daily SPF—really, every day.
Even if it’s cloudy. Even if you’re inside most of the time. A comfortable SPF 50 that sits nicely under makeup is one of the best long-term gifts you can give your skin.

Blot, don’t add more powder.
If you get shiny during events, use blotting papers rather than powdering repeatedly. Powder overload can make skin look flat or cakey. Blotting papers keep the glow but remove the excess oil—way more flattering.

Watch the salt and cocktails.
Not in a restrictive way, just—observe. Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it encourages your body to produce more urine and leads directly to fluid loss and dehydrated skin. So, at least keep a glass of water nearby and use a hydrating serum before bed. It won’t erase every sign of a big night, but your face won’t punish you the next morning.

5. Event-Day Routine: Your Final Holiday Beauty Prep

Party day? This is not the moment for experimentation, so keep it simple. Think of this as your final holiday beauty preparation list.

1. Gentle cleanse.
   Nothing harsh. You want calm skin.

2. Hydrating serum.
   Fast-absorbing, no tackiness.

3. Light moisturiser.
   Just enough slip for makeup.

4. SPF for daytime events.
   Choose one that won’t pill under the foundation.

5. Optional: chilled eye gel.
   A few seconds of cooling can freshen your whole look.

Makeup sits much better when there’s no dryness or irritation beneath it, and this quick routine does exactly that.

6. Post-Party Repair: Bringing Skin Back from the Brink

After a late night, your skin might feel warm, puffy, or a bit uncooperative. Luckily, the fix is simple.

Double-cleanse with lukewarm water.
Hot water can make redness worse. Lukewarm keeps everything happy.

Layer hydration generously.
A mist + humectant serum + soothing moisturiser = a comforting reset. Jericho’s formulas are especially helpful here, as tired skin tends to soak them up. And this is an important step to ensure your holiday skincare routine stays on track.

Skip intense treatments.
Put the scrubs and retinols aside until your skin settles. Right now, you’re focusing on recovery, not achievement.

Use cool compresses for puffiness.
A chilled gel mask or even a cold spoon (yes, really) works. You’ll feel the difference in minutes.

Final Thoughts: A Routine That Outlasts the Festive Season

Although all of this centres on the holidays, don’t be surprised if the routine sticks. Balanced, hydrated skin feels good—not tight, not fussy, just comfortable. Once you experience that, you won’t want to go back.

A true holiday glow is preparation mixed with patience. And Jericho’s mineral-rich products slot neatly into this approach, offering hydration and nourishment without heaviness. So, while you’re planning outfits, playlists, and presents, remember to plan a little something for your skin, too.

You’ll thank yourself when the photos start rolling in.