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YourPanic-Free PlanA MILESTONE birthday party. Awedding. Aschool reunion. Events like these

(or any other where you'll be photographed or come face to face withpeople whose opinion you value) require a take-no-chances plan for

looking as GREAT as possible. So we asked hair, skin and makeup pros to devise preppingstrategies for four timelines: SIX MONTHS, SIXWEEKS, SIX DAYS-

or (silent scream) tonight. The goal?"Whether you have months or merehours to get ready, you will look amazing

[ ByJennifer Laing}

PHOTOGRAPHED BY GEl\TL & HYERS

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HEN A More senioreditor received an invite to her 20-yearcollege reunion, she joked that whileshe didn't have time to impress herformer classmates by winning a Pu­litzer' she did have a few weeks to gether hair, skin and teeth in better shape.So she mapped out a pre-event prepplan that included a haircut and color,a light chemical peel, at-home teethwhitening and, closer to the date, amanicure, pedicure and light spraytan (to leave her looking relaxed andhealthy). "I didn't do much that Iwouldn't normally have done"-exceptthe peel and the tan, which were thebeauty director's idea-"but I timed itto all come together right before thereunion," she says. The result? "Thatweekend I felt as if I looked like me,but on my best day."

How good we feel about ourselvesmay be an important component ofhow good we look, says Judith Sills,PhD, a Philadelphia psychologist.Pre-event primping instills confidence,she explains, enabling us to show upat a potentially nerve-racking occa­sion with our best face on (literally)."Confidence just comes easier whenyour roots aren't showing, your mid­dle isn't sagging over your jeggingsand your hairstyle isn't the same as itwas in 1972," says Sills. So to look­and feel-great on a day that reallymatters, choose the strategy that bestfits your time frame.

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YOU'VE GOT

6MONTHS

SURE, it's early in the game, but ifyou're super busy, super organized orjust someone who lives by her Out­look or iPhone calendar, it's nevertoo soon to get started.

YOUR SKINYou can improve your complexion a lotin half a year, says Cheryl Karcher, MD,a New York cosmetic dermatologistand consultant for Avon. In the handsofa skilled doctor-equipped with anarsenal oflasers-fine lines, unevenskin tone, acne scars, broken bloodvessels, legveins and even sunspots canall be virtually erased in four to sixmonths. For best results, most of theaforementioned conditions requirefour to six sessions-at $500 and up persession-so you need six months toprep. Go to plasticsurgery.com or aad.org to find a certified plastic surgeonor dermatologist with a specialty inlasers. For subtler skin improvement(with a lower price tag), you can also upthe ante on your daily skin-care regi­men and incorporate vitamin A (aka aretinoid) ifyou aren't already using it. Itwill take three to six months to see theskin-rejuvenating results. Ask your der­matologist for a prescription-strengthretinoid like Retin-A or Renova, or pickup an over-the-counter formula suchas SkinCeuticals Retinol NightCreamin 0.5 ($54; skinceuticals.com).

YOUR HAIRGive your stylist the heads-up on yourbig event so together you can fig­ure out how to use your time well-bygrowing out a cut you dislike, forexample, or getting unhealthy hair inbetter condition. Ifyou want to experi­ment with a major color change, likegoing from dark to light or swappinga warm tone for a cool one, this long

lead time is ideal, because it allowsyou to get used to the new look whilealso giving you a chance to reversecourse if the new color is not for you,says Kyle White, senior colorist atthe Oscar Blandi Salon in Manhattan.

YOUR MAKEUPIt's a bit early to decide on cosmeticspecifics, especially if you're workingto improve your complexion (whichmay mean you need less makeup downthe road). But if you think you maywant to hire a professional for the dayofthe event or just for learning someapplication tricks, begin looking for theright one now, says Sonia Kashuk, ce­lebrity makeup artist and creator of aneponymous makeup line sold at Tar­get. Where to start? Get referrals fromfriends and your hairstylist. Thenmeet with a few artists and ask to seephotos of their work to make sure theiraesthetic suits yours. You can alsohead to your favorite makeup brand'sbeauty counter. Most offer free make­overs, which is a great way to test theproducts and possibly find an artistyou trust. And since you have time totackle major issues, consider your eye­lashes. Ifyou've noticed they're gettingsparser, think about beginning a courseoflash-growth-accelerating Latisse(available only by prescription); it givesfull results in 16 weeks. A nonpre­scription option is Peter Thomas RothLashes to Die For Platinum eyelashtreatment ($125; sephora.com), a lashconditioner shown to boost growth.Finally, if you've never had a makeupartist or brow specialist shape youreyebrows, this may be the time. "It cantake up to four months to get neglectedbrows in good shape," says RobynCosio, brow specialist at the SharonDorram Color at Sally Hershbergersalon in New York.

Once you've cherry-picked the adviceyou want to follow for your six-monthstrategy, stay the course until six weeksbefore your event. At that point, con­tinue with the following line of attack.

YOU'VE GOT

6WEEKS

WHETHER you have been followingthe six-month strategy or are juststarting, there is still ample time to getyour hair and skin in tip-top shape.

YOUR SKINIfyou are already investing in inject­abIes (Botox, Restylane or the like)-oryou feel ready to take the plunge-nowis the time to schedule the appoint­ment, since most injections require oneto two weeks to take effect, with re­sults lasting three to six months (formuscle-relaxing Botox or Dysport) orsix months or more (fo"r fillers such asRestylane, Juvederm and Radiesse).

"Scheduling a visit now gives youenough time to recover [from any bruis­ing or swelling], evaluate the effectsa~d tweak or top off as necessary," saysElizabeth Tanzi, MD, a dermatologistbased in Washington, D.C. Cost: $500and up per treatment. You may alsowant to consider splurging on a profes­sional peel ($50 and up) at a doctor'soffice or spa to slough offdead skin andreveal a brighter, smoother complexion.This can be done now, and again twoweeks before the event. You may lookred and flaky for up to a week post­peel, so plan accordingly. If the in­office route doesn't, ahem, a-peel, giveyourself a weekly at-home treatment(six in all) using a kit such as Dr. Den­nis Gross Skincare Extra-StrengthAl­pha-Beta Peel ($28 for 10; dgskincare.com). The peels will reveal fresher,more radiant skin over time, guaran­teeing you'll be glowing by the big day.

YOUR HAIRHave you booked an appointmentwith your stylist to test-drive various'dos? Ifnot, please do so, especiallyifyou're going for a look that's differentfrom your everyday one. The condi­tion ofyour hair is also important now.

"Healthy hair reflects more light, andshine is a must-have for those Kodakmoments," says White. Besides the ba­sics, like investing in a good shampooand conditioner for color-treated hairand using a deep conditioner weekly(moisturizing for dry hair, strengthen­ing for weak hair), White suggestsadding a water filter to your shower­head to reduce the presence of theshine-zapping chlorine and heavy met­als present in most tap water. For yourshopping list: Pantene Pro-V DailyMoisture Renewal2-Minute Masque($7; drugstores), for hair that needsmoisture; Aveda Damage Remedy In­tensive Restructuring Treatment ($31;aveda.com), for strands that seemfragile and breakage-prone; and theSlim-Line Universal Shower Filter($25; bedbathandbeyond.com), forall hair types. It is also time to get yourstrands cut in the style you intend towear for the event. (The week beforethe date, schedule a clean-up trimto be sure the style looks fresh, butdon't do anything major inside of thesix-week mark, advises celebrity styl­ist Oscar Blandi.) Tip: Ifyou're inter­ested in adding density or a little length,discuss extension options with a stylistsoon. Two popular versions: Bondedextensions (like GreatLengths; hairuwear.com for salon locations) cantake four to six hours to apply and willlast up to three months. Cost: $700 to$4,000. A less expensive alternativeis long-term, tape-on extensions likeHotheads Hair (800-327-7971 for salonlocations), which can be applied inone to two hours and will last up toeight weeks. Cost: $30 to $1,500.

YOUR MAKEUPIfyou're planning to hire a makeupartist, schedule a consultation or lesson.If your lashes are looking skimpy(and you aren't already using a growth­boosting serum like Latisse), youcan consider getting lash extensions.

"They're ideal for sprucing up your lookfor a special occasion and can shaveoff a few years by creating the illusionof an eye-lift," says Courtney Akai ofCourtney Akai Lash Boutique in NewYork. You should know in advance,however, that extensions-in whichindividual synthetic lashes are fusedwith glue onto your natural lashes-cantake one to two hours to apply and willlast six to eight weeks. So ifyou lovethe effect, plan to schedule a touch-upappointment a week before your event.Ifyou've had extensions before andalready know that you like them, ar­range to have them applied within twoweeks ofyour occasion. To find a salonnear you that does lash extensions, goto novalash.com. Cost: $125 and up.

Once you've selected some tips fromthe six-week strategy, you're in goodshape until six days before your event.At that point, transition to the six­day countdown, below.

YOU'VE GOT

6DAYS

OK, let's get down to business. To upthe odds that your hair and makeupwill look stellar, follow as much of theroutine below as you can.

YOUR SKINA light peel at home (skip the in­office version-you're a bit too closeto your event to risk the potentialredness and flaking) will help removedead cells and even out the textureof the skin, says New York and Mi­ami dermatologist Fredric Brandt,

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MD. Try the Dr. Dennis GrossSkincare kit mentioned in the six­week strategy or PhilosophyMicrodelivery Mini Peel Pads ($35for 60 pads; sephora.com). Ifyourskin is not overly sensitive, Tanzisays you could also go deeper withan in-office microdermabrasiontreatment, followed by a skin­calming LED (light-emitting diode)treatment. Average cost: $150 formicrodermabrasion, $275 forthe LED. "The microdermabrasiongives skin a healthy glow, andthe LED helps calm skin down," sheexplains. (Neither produces theredness and flaking of a peel.) Adermatologist can help determinewhich treatment is best for you atthis point, but to be on the safe side,schedule anything stronger thanthe at-home peel early in the week toallow for plenty of recovery time.

You may also want to apply self­tanner or, even better, have a pro­fessional do it. We're not suggestingyou aim for that bronze look youachieved during spring break backin the day-just the kind of sub­tle, healthy glow that makes almostanyone look fresher. Plus, even thelightest tan hides a host of problems,such as uneven tone, broken capil­laries, arm cellulite and acne scars.Our favorite at-home formulas: BareEscentuals Faux Tan Sunless Tan­ner ($22; bareescentuals.com) or, fora very sheer, understated glow,Perricone MD No Sun Tanner ($69;sephora.com).

YOUR HAIRIt goes without saying: This proba­bly isn't the time to try a dramaticnew style. But do try to squeeze in atrim early in the week, since it oftentakes a few days to get used to even themost minor cut. "Be very clear withyour stylist: You're just dusting theends," says Blandi. Ifyou're able,freshen your color, too, especially ifyou like the look ofjust-highlightedhair. Ifyou don't have time for a cutand/or color, you can at least boost

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your hair's sheen with a salon or at­home gloss treatment such as OscarBlandi At-Home Salon Glaze ShineRinse ($27; oscarblandi.com).

YOUR MAKEUPIf you plan to it apply yourself, doa test run or two and have your hus­band, partner or friend snap a pic­ture. "It's easier to look at yourselfobjectively in a photograph thanin a mirror," says Kashuk. (Whileyou're at it, ask your photo snapperto weigh in as well.) Ifyou are itch­ing for a little more drama than youget from your everyday makeup andyou aren't already wearing lash ex­tensions, you may want to have aprofessional artist apply false lashesthe day of the event. Tip: Individ­uallashes applied at just the outercorners will give a more naturaleffect than a full strip of falsies will.Now is also the time to think ofyour nails: painted or no? Your call,but get them groomed (profession­ally or at home) within three days ofyour event. Tip: Ifyou are woefullyinept at DIY manis (and most of usare), stick-on nail strips like SallyHansen Salon Effects Nail Polish Strips($9; drugstores) make it easier toappear polished. And don't overlookthe cosmetic value of whiter teeth.They can brighten your whole faceand boost your confidence aboutsmiling. The fastest, most effectiveat-home whitener we've found isCrest 3D White Two-Hour ExpressWhitestrips ($55; drugstores). Finally,ifyour brows are looking a little un­ruly, schedule a brow shaping at leasttwo days before the event. "Youdon't want to risk redness, a rash oran allergic reaction to brow waxany closer to the big day," says Cosio.

YOU'VE GOT

6HOURS (OR LESS)

WE'RE keeping this section shortbecause you have work to do. Readquickly-then do some power primping.

YOUR SKINAn at-home mask can plump andlift in little time, helping your com­plexion look the way it does on thelast day of a (one can dream) month­long vacation. Some of our favoriteat-home treatments: Peter ThomasRoth Instant FirmX ($48; sephora.com), a lO-minute mask that tightenstired, lax skin, leaving you lookingrefreshed for up to 12 hours; andStriVectin's Dermal Infusion Mask($69; sephora.com), which soothesred, dry or irritated skin and makeseven the most parched complexionlook and feel plumper and softer. Youcan also do a quick, gentle peel tobrighten the skin (for best results, dothe peel first, mask later). A newone we like that's safe for all skin types:M-61 Power-Pro Peel ($28 for 10peels; bluemercury.com).

YOUR HAIRYou probably have a salon appoint­ment scheduled for today-assumingyou knew about your event in ad­vance. If, however, you're on the HailMary plan, head to a walk-in salonor blow-dry bar for a professional blow­out. One reasonably priced ($40 perservice) national chain to try if it'sin your neck of the woods: the Dry­bar (thedrybar.com for locations). "Ablowout with body [as opposed toone that is super straight and sleek]is always a safe choice, because ithelps you look polished and never goesout of style," says Blandi. But to becertain you and your stranger-stylistare on the same page, bring alonga picture of a style you would like to

emulate (or, better yet, a photo ofyourself with your hair looking itsbest). If the event came as a totalsurprise and you're just doing thebest you can with hair that hasn'teven been washed within 24 hours,spritz some dry shampoo intoyour roots. This will revive the hairand add a bit of volume. Try SuaveProfessionals Dry Shampoo ($3;drugstores). Ifyour hair is trulybeyond repair, a ponytail (even astubby one) or a simple knot atthe nape of the neck is fail-safeand age appropriate. (This is whyGrace Kelly's signature chignon iscalled a classic style.)

YOUR MAKEUPDoing your own makeup but haven'thad time for a trial run? Expertsstrongly recommend you keep thingssimple. Smooth on your favoritefoundation or tinted moisturizer,brighten your complexion with atouch ofbronzer or blush, apply a grayor brown eyeliner to your top lashline (then smudge), swipe on mascara,fill in sparse spots in your brows­and add a creamy lipstick in a looks­good-on-everyone, bright berrycolor. Our favorite lip colors for fall:Dior Rouge Nude 683 ($32; dior.com),a brownish berry and Chanel RougeAllure in Exaltee ($33; chanel.com), avivid strawberry. Tip: Ifyou're hittinga salon for your hair, ask if there's amakeup artist on staff who can applya simple, natural face and, if there'stime, add a few extra lashes to theouter corners of your top lash line.

"A few falsies really pack a punch andcan transform your face withoutadding any extra color," says Kashuk.If time is too tight for a pedicureor even a manicure, use a sheer basecoat like Deborah Lippmann TurnBack Time Base Coat ($18; beauty.com).It disguises ridges, imperfectionsand discolorations in the nail and driesin seconds. Finally, if you aren't al­ready sporting a subtle glow, consider

smoothing on a faux-glow lotionlike St. Tropez One Night Only InstantGlow Body Lotion ($18; sephora.com). This goof-proofDHA-free for­mula gives skin a natural-looking,transfer-proof sheen that shows upinstantly and is easily washed awaywith soap and water. Last piece ofadvice? Smile-and be sure some­one takes photos. Who knows whenyou'll look this gorgeous again! *

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