Red carpet skin secrets

Before celebrities such as Kate Beckinsale, Dakota Johnson, and Jenna Dewan Tatum take on the Emmys red carpet, they're working with Los Angeles-based skincare expert Kat Rudu, who is known for delivering dewy, picture-perfect skin. “Leading up to the big event we focus on plumping, toning, hydrating, and feeding the skin lots of nutrients to work up to that glow.”

Here, she outlines her approach for famous faces and how you can translate it at home.

Six days before: Focus on skin’s underlying support structure.

Rudu's go-to: Radiofrequency using the Venus Legacy. “I use the machine to gently heat up the innermost layer of the skin to boost collagen and tighten both the face and neck. We do it several days in advance because it can take that long to see results.”

Try it: Facial massage. Apply a hydrating serum containing hyaluronic acid and peptides, then use your knuckles to massage in a gliding motion from the inner part of your face outward, repeating four times. Incorporate this into your daily routine after cleansing to boost skin's tone.

Five days before: Prep the “canvas” with gentle exfoliation.

Rudu's go-to: Microdermabrasion using the DiamondTome. Using a diamond-tipped wand, it exfoliates the outer layer of dead skin cells for younger-looking skin. “I'm a fan of this product because it’s a newer, safer technology that won’t cause broken capillaries.”

Try it: Fresh papaya. Mash up some of the flesh and smooth it on your face. Wait 15 minutes then rinse off. “Papaya is amazing at lightening spots leftover from blemishes and brightening the skin as it exfoliates."

The day before: Oxygenate and soothe.

Rudu's go-to: Facial cupping combined with a calming mask made of azulene and chamomile. “This increases skin circulation, moves toxins through the lymphatic system, and increases blood flow, so you’re left with a natural, healthy flush.”

Try it: Cooled chamomile tea. Add two drops of organic rose essential oil then drench cotton balls and stroke them over your face. “Chamomile is a classic European soother, great for reducing redness. And the fatty acids in the rose oil have anti-inflammatory properties.”

The day-of: Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.

Rudu's go-to: 24K gold dust mask. “I created this mask for my Emmys clients. It includes a natural fruit acid from bark of the Aragon tree to exfoliate, plant stem cells to hydrate, the antioxidant vitamin C, as well as coffee extract, horsetail, licorice, and lemon peel balm to brighten and support skin on a cellular level."

Try it: A yogurt-espresso mask. Mix ½ teaspoon of cold coffee into half a cup plain Greek yogurt. Add ½ teaspoon of honey and a tiny squeeze of lemon and mix into a thick paste. “Smooth it on your face and leave for 15 minutes before rinsing it off for brighter, tighter, more moisturized skin.”

The big day bonus: Instantly tighten.

Rudu's go-to: Cyrotherapy. “Each client is different and we may do a mix of therapies, but a flash freeze facial is the perfect finishing touch. A machine sprays dry ice vapor over the face and leaves it tight, taut, and rejuvenated."

Try it: Ice. Apply a hydrating toner and let it dry. Wrap an ice cube in gauze, dip it under running water, then glide it around the eyes and over the face to help the serum penetrate. For a deeper dive, Rudu suggests swapping the ice for chilled face globes.