Once the hallmark of event prep, the blow-dry has now been bumped down the list. From sculpting to lymphatic drainage, today’s A-listers are trading volume for a visible lift. Prioritising skin that looks lit-from-within before a single swipe of makeup. The glow bar facials has officially replaced the blow bar, because nothing says event-ready like a face that’s been de-puffed within an inch of its life. Just ask April Brodie, Australia’s leading integrated facialist. The insider behind the glow of the nation’s top media personalities, models, and reality stars.
The Cultural Shift
Where a fresh blow-dry once reigned supreme, facials have taken over. Skincare has become the cornerstone of modern beauty, and let’s be honest, who doesn’t start with skin first, hair second, outfit last? No longer reserved for the models and red carpet, facials are now firmly on the radar of busy mums and wellness-obsessed uni girls alike, those chasing a lit-from-within glow that looks just as good in real life as it does on the feed. April Brodie has seen the shift firsthand. Today, Brodie’s clients are more skin-savvy than ever, treating facials not as indulgence, but as essential. “Facials aren’t just a ‘nice-to-have’ anymore, they’re prep work,” she explains. “Especially when cameras are involved.” And for Brodie, radiant, healthy skin is the non-negotiable foundation of any beauty look. “If your skin’s not right, your makeup won’t sit properly either. That old-school blow-dry appointment, it’s being swapped for skin prep and honestly, I love that.”
Event season or not, Brodie’s focus is always on their top skin concerns: Breakouts, dryness, and puffiness. Everything that we all go through, right? Her approach though is highly customised, ensuring each treatment targets exactly what her clients skin needs at that moment. “If someone’s worried about congestion, I’ll use calming, purifying steps that don’t aggravate the skin. If it’s dryness, I’ll layer hydration and barrier support. And if puffiness is the issue, I turn to gentle lymphatic drainage and my signature facial massage to stimulate circulation and bring back that fresh, rested look.” That tailored attention is what transforms facials into a vital part of beauty prep: simple, intentional, and so result-driven.
Brodie’s Signature Techniques
Among Brodie’s signature techniques is expert contouring without needles or downtime. As Brodie notes, “Social media has made professional skincare feel more accessible than ever” and if a buccal massage hasn’t yet entered your beauty lexicon, it’s time to pay attention. This isn’t a standard facial, but a precision sculpting technique performed inside the mouth (yes, inside the mouth) designed to release persistent jaw tension. It delivers an immediate, subtle lift that whispers refined, not overdone. As Brodie explains, “It sounds intense, but it feels incredible, and the results are instant. You get this lifted, contoured effect that’s subtle but powerful.” Another of Brodie’s go to techniques, what she refers to as her Golki Fusion, begins with fascia release. A targeted treatment that reaches deep into the connective tissue beneath the skin’s surface. “Fascia release works deeper, releasing tightness in the connective tissue under the skin, which helps soften tension, reduce puffiness, and give the face more freedom and flow,” she explains. Think of it as a gentle reset for your face, easing built-up tightness and restoring natural movement, resulting in a fresh, effortless glow. It’s a needle-free contouring technique that is just as restorative as it is radiant.
Brodie’s pièce de résistance, though? Buccal Fusion. This hybrid treatment blends the inside-mouth sculpting of buccal massage with the deep-release magic of fascia release, it smooths tension and decongests, revealing a lifted, radiant complexion. “The result? A glowing face with reduced puffiness and a calm, refreshed nervous system,” Brodie shares. The best part? It’s safe to get right before your event, a total lifesaver for those last-minute glow-ups we all secretly need (and love). And for those who want to go further, Brodie offers lymphatic drainage. A treatment that’s been having a major moment lately for its detoxifying and soothing benefits, alongside bee venom facials. The natural collagen booster that revives your skin’s youthful bounce. Despite sounding intense, bee venom has earned a reputation as a safe, dermatologist-approved ingredient that’s rapidly gaining traction in skincare circles.
Timing and Recs!
Brodie’s golden rule when it comes to prepping for an event is simple. Book your facial at least 48 hours beforehand. “That window gives your skin enough time to calm down and truly absorb the benefits of the treatment,” she says. Recommending avoiding those intense treatments like harsh chemical peels or anything unfamiliar too close to the event, as they risk irritation or unpredictable reactions. Instead, pre-event facials should focus on soothing, hydrating, and amplifying your natural radiance. For Brodie, these sessions go beyond mere beauty rituals being carefully curated experiences designed to leave you looking effortlessly luminous and camera-ready exactly when it counts. It’s all about the prep and setting your skin with a natural luminosity that no flawless filter could ever replicate.
While a blow-dry will always hold a sacred place in our beauty prep, today’s focus has shifted from those temporary fixes to enduring radiance. Facials exceed that mere glow we’re all looking for, they’re the ritual that nurtures that real skin vitality from within, leaving you with luminosity that’s almost impossible to fake. As self-care and wellness rituals rise in importance, facials have become essential for those chasing that effortless, camera-ready complexion, one that no styling tool can replicate. Facials become a lasting investment, not just for the big event ahead, but as a ritual that ensures your skin’s timeless glow.
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