Make-up, hair, skin: How fashion lovers are preparing for the MET GALA 2023

The Met Gala Spring 2023 is inspired by designer Karl Lagerfield under the theme "Karl Lagerfield: A line of Beauty". And in the spirit of new theme, at Pulse Lifestyle, here's inspiration from the Met's icons Rihanna and Kim Kardashian and other beauty inspiration to add to your routine in celebration of the upcoming theme. It certainly doesn't hurt to make it permanent after the Met.

What is the Met Gala?

Karl Lagerfiled Pulse

The Met Gala is an annual charity benefit event hosted by Vogue's Anna Wintour to fundraise for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, with various celebrities and designers coming together to create memorable looks under themes.It also marks the beginning of the Met Spring collection display.

When is the Met Gala 2023 happening?

Actor Jared Leto Pulse

Except for the glitch in the 2021 Met Gala due to COVID-19 which resulted in rescheduling, the Met is held on the first Monday of May every year.

Next year will see a return to the tradition as the Met is scheduled for May 1, 2023, and the display will run from May 5 to July 16.

How to prepare for the Met Gala 2023

While fashion designers and celebrities are embarking on projects and booking costumes for the Met, here are make-up, hair and skin routines to inspire your care routine, not only in keeping up with the Met, but because they come highly recommended.

MAKE-UP

MAKE-UP Pulse

For make-up fans and artists, singer Rihanna's make-up artist, Priscilla Ono, has a contouring hack for you that takes only 60-seconds off Rihanna's time and nails the look everytime.

According to Ono, make-up artists should get on the contouring 2.0 wagon since it has adopted a more natural and light-hand application to create the facial lift and definition.

She employs a cream contouring procedure that takes one minute and consists of only three products.

She starts by warming the contour (Fenty Beauty Match Stix Matte Contour Skinstick) on the back of her hand, then "I sweep the applicator where the cheekbone indents and a little under the chin and jawline. Sometimes I even do a little on the temples to narrow the face,” she says.

To blend the contour on the skin, Ono prefers a sponge to a brush because it save her time, and rather than go straight to blending with a clean sponge, she dabs it in the left over contour on the back of her hand. A clean sponge increases the risk of creating contour patches on the face.

MAKE-UP Pulse

Her advise is to contour to a tone or goal of the whole look not contouring the whole face because it is expected.

"Contour as needed, don't think that just because it's a step, that you need to contour all the areas of your face,” she says.

However, to go Rihanna's "extra mile" skin, she recommends using the flat end of the sponge to add the "reverse contour". The reverse contour consists of applying foundation but to get it right, apply the foundation where you originally applied the contour. It will make the jawline and cheekbones pop.

The oily skin, like Rihanna's, Ono recommends applying Invisimatte Instant Setting & Blotting Powder over shiny areas.

To avoid looking too matte, she recommends adding in the base drops of Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint in with the Pro Filt'r Soft Matt Longwear Foundation to get a lit-from-within glow.

HAIR GLAMOUR

HAIR GLAMOUR Pulse

If you are feeling lazy about getting your hair roots sorted out, do not beat yourself up because it happens to the best. Kim Kardashian recently revealed that she plan to stay blonde for a while despite her hair roots coming out with black. The reason for this black roots override? It takes her eight hours to get them re-done.

While appearing on Live With Kelly and Ryan, Kardashian revealed that "Yes, the blonde hair. The roots are definitely growing out. I'm going to dye it soon. I'm going to stay blonde for a minute. I've just been lazy. It's so much work," she said.

To go platinum blonde, Kardashian had to spend 14 hours in a salon back in May to get rid of the natural brunette because “I did want a physical change."

Remember the maintainence cost beyond the upfront cost of acquiring a nice hair tint, Kardashian's hair is very costly because "It requires monthly or bi-monthly trips to the salon due to the root regrowth and to keep the colour looking as fresh as possible,” according to Dylan Brittain, artistic director at Rainbow Room International

The 41-year-old said that she is yet to find a grey hair on her head to which the host told her that she might have lucked out and probably won't get the greys.

Kim Kardashian Pulse

“I have not gone grey yet. Isn't that weird?” she queried.

“You're probably not going to. It's not like your life isn't stressful. If one were to go grey, it would have happened to you by now. You're free and clear," the host replied.

SKIN CARE

Castor Oil Pulse

Previously known as an engine lubricant for race cars, castor oil is taking the beauty and health world by storm.

YouTube, for example, is flooded with testimonials on the poer of castor oil on hair health, including preventing follicle inflammation, boosting growth and adding the glow, whether on the head, eye brows or lashes.

But the lesser known benefits of this vegetable oil, usually listed as ricinus communis on ingredients lists, are youthful and healthy skin.

Castor oil comes from pressing seeds of the castor plant which is found in tropical climates such as Eastern Africa. It comes in clear or pale yellow colour and is thicker than most oils used in cosmetics and medicine. It is richer in Vitamin E and fatty acids too, than coconut oil and argan oil.

Is castor oil good for skin?

SKIN CARE Pulse

Castor oil has surprisingly been around for a long time, but since it is usually a behind the scenes in skincare formulas it is easy to miss.

It is a common ingredient in lip balms and lipsticks because it is good for nourishing skin on lips.

The fatty acids in the oil are excellent moisturiser for dry and aging skin and the triglycerides found in the oil help maintain moisture. It also gets water from air and traps it in the skin , which means that there is not moisture lost due to evapouration.

One study on castor oil shows that the ricinoleic acid in the oil may have anti-microbial properties. Based on this, castor oil is believed to be an ingredient in fighting off skin impurities and blemishes including acne.

It is alos associated with anti-inflammatory abilities to fight off dermatitis, eczema, rosacea, psoriasis, and keratosis pilaris by soothing itching and fighting bacteria.

It is also has antioxidant properties, meaning it is essential in preventing damage from pollution and UV rays. It also treats puffiness since it has diurectic properties, it reduces face congestion after a night of booze.

How to use castor oil

This skincare full-package has its downside so use with care. For example, because it is thick, it can lead to skin pore clogging especially for those with oily skin.

It is recommended for use only once or twice a week as your skin adjusts to it.

In small doses, castor oil is safe for use by anyone, because some body lotions have it in small percentages.

It is excellent for dry skin because it will pump it with all nutrients necessary for baby-smooth skin.

However, carry out a patch test of 24 hours by applying a small amount of castor oil on the inside of your forearm, where perfumes are usually tested, before committing to it as a facial cosmetic. If you experience any irritation, discontinue use.

It is also advised to avoid castor oil during pregnancy because it is believed to induce labour.