Pre-party prep with Alexa Bui The makeup artist lets us in on her head-to-toe routine before a big event

“I love using a good scrub in the shower followed by body oil when the skin is still damp. I find that keeps everything smooth and glowy,” says Bui. Exfoliating the skin before you moisturise is a great idea to slough off dead cells and get the blood pumping. (Bonus: get it done early enough in the day and it’ll stimulate lymphatic drainage to help slim your silhouette.)

On-the-day skincare should be simple – don’t mess too much with your regular routine, or try anything crazy and new that could have adverse reactions. And if, God forbid, any blemishes decide to show up for the big day, Bui cautions: “Don’t pick at spots! Just cover with concealer and hope for the best.”

“Well-hydrated skin that isn’t tired is best at holding makeup,” Bui says, so nourish your complexion on the inside and out – lots of water during the day is essential, and mask away if your skin looks dry from the outside. That said, there’s only so much a good base can do against Hong Kong’s punishing climate: “I also love a good setting spray to make things stay put on humid and sweaty nights,” suggests Bui.

It might be tempting to load up on carbs and coffee in the afternoon if you know you’re going to be subsisting on canapés all night, but resist the urge. “I like to eat something that has lots of protein and veggies so that I’m not bloated or feeling too full,” says Bui. “Most of the time I’ll eat after an event anyway because cocktails usually end early and all my friends and I will go to dinner together afterwards,” she rationalises.

Instead of snacking, to keep her energy up for the evening and to quickly refresh, Bui relies on nature’s own miracle – the miracle of sleep. And as a mother of two, she knows how important it is to catch those Z’s whenever you can. “I really love a good power nap before getting ready. If time allows, I’ll squeeze in 30 mins of shut-eye in the afternoon.” Just remember to do it early enough that you aren’t bleary-eyed and sleepy when you hit the red carpet!