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Often referred to as “fashion s Super Bowl”—the annual Met Gala is one of the starriest nights of the year. And while the ensembles walking this year s green carpet are a huge focus of the event (all inspired by the corresponding exhibit)—there s a ton of beauty prep involved, too.
Much like prepping for other major events (think awards season or a wedding), it s not just all about the face, either. For my first-ever Met, I decided to live like a celebrity—in beauty routine practice only—by taking a trip to Chinatown s Raquel New York. Inside the airy skin salon, I stripped down completely for a two-for-one experience. Inside, facialist and owner Raquel Medina-Cleghorn and Brazilian masseuse Shirlei Silva worked in tandem with Neova products to prep my face and body for the event.
According to Raquel, I was right on schedule to get a Met Gala glow. “The day before the big event is usually the best time to get your final facial,” she told me as she started the hour-long process of cleansing, massaging, microcurrent, and more. “My focus for this facial treatment was on sculpting, reducing inflammation, and—what to me is truly the most important part of any facial—boosting the health and vitality of their skin.” In her kit were the Neova Skincare products, which included the Neova Pure Copper Mask. “Studies on GHK-cu, aka Copper Tripeptide, in cosmetics show it has the ability to tighten loose skin and improve elasticity, skin density, and firmness, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, reduce photodamage and hyperpigmentation, and increase keratinocyte proliferation.” She also encouraged me to incorporate a potent vitamin C into my routine to keep the glow going.
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For body, Silva pumped body oil into her hands, then started with firm strokes at my ankles. This wasn t a relaxing massage, but instead had the goal of moving stagnant fluid through my lymphatic system. It wasn t painful, but instead felt purposeful. The entire job, which made it s way up my limbs, toward my heart, and ended with a vigorous stomach massage, was done entirely with her hands.
“Your mantra leading up to the red carpet or any big event should be ‘tried and true,’” Raquel advises for anybody who has a big event on the books. “Gentle is best to avoid any unforeseen reactions. However, gentle doesn’t mean ineffective. Sculpting massage, micro current, cryotherapy, LED, lymphatic drainage… all these can be incredibly efficacious in giving you a sculpted, lifted, glowing appearance without downtime.”
Other stars who stopped by Raquel s salon pre-Met for a session included Kaia Gerber, Emily Ratakowski, Paloma Ellsesser, Jodie Turner-Smith, and Vittoria Ceretti. Post-session, I was a softer, tighter, brighter version of the frazzled self who had wandered into the salon that morning. Next year, I ll be back for more.
