Thanks to the pandemic-driven postponements — and resulting game of catch-up — it’s officially busy season for all sorts of events, from baby showers to weddings. So if your schedule is jam-packed, you’re not alone. There are obvious challenges, like pairing a face mask with your go-to cocktail dress, as well as the less obvious — like how to deal with makeup after more than a year of largely going without.

The latter goes for both the application and the removal. First up, a strategic skincare routine can make all the difference in how your makeup looks and wears throughout the day (or night, or both). On the flip side, long-wear foundations and waterproof mascara offer major convenience, but can require a ton of elbow grease to take off at the end of the day. But you’re in luck: With expert tips from NYC-based makeup artist Tony Tulve, you — and your skin — will make it through your social cal without worry.

Before You Apply Makeup

For starters, “I like to start with a quick refresh of the skin by swiping a cotton pad saturated with micellar water,” says Tulve. “After that dries, I do my first generous spray of Watermelon Glow Ultra-Fine Mist.” It’s the first instance of layering hydration, which is key to a long-lasting makeup application.

He’ll also prep the eyes either the night before or the day of with a lightweight eye cream. “The Avocado Melt Retinol Eye Sleeping Mask is wonderful for a treatment the night before — or I’ll use it as a quick mask during the initial skin prep, let it rest for about 10 minutes, and then gently remove the excess before applying any product.”

To create a super-smooth canvas for makeup, Tulve turns to toner. “On oilier skin clients, I’ll saturate another cotton pad with Watermelon Glow PHA+BHA Pore-Tight Toner to lightly press it into the skin,” he says. “With drier or more sensitive clients, I’ll gently press it into the skin with my hands.” After that, gently tap Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops onto areas you want more of a glow, such as cheekbones and browbones.

Follow it up by a lightweight moisturizer, like Watermelon Glow Pink Juice Moisturizer. That’s more important than you think, because too many layers of product can keep it from setting properly. Translation: It fades faster as you’re wearing it. Then, Tulve says, “I’ll ‘set’ that with another generous spritz of Watermelon Glow Ultra-Fine Mist. I also apply a very generous layer of Watermelon Glow Lip Pop to prep the lips.”

The skin on your lips is just that — skin — and it needs every bit as much TLC.

He keeps the Watermelon Glow Mist on-hand when he’s actually applying the makeup, too. “For a maximum glow that works for all skin types, work in layers of the mist while building the complexion: Spray it while blending out foundation, concealers and whatever other cream products that are used before powders,” he says. (Then, stash it in your bag to refresh and hydrate skin wherever the day takes you.) After that, follow up with a few more strategic dabs of Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops. This innovative makeup-skincare hybrid give skin a lit-from-within gleam — think your favorite highlighter, but even easier to apply and without any telltale glitter, shimmer, or greasy shine.

The first rule of using highlighting serum? There are no rules. Here’s how to use it like a pro.

Removing Makeup Like a Pro

Welcome back! First order of business is to remove your makeup, and we mean all of it. Depending on what you’ve applied — like primer, foundation, concealer, powder, whatever — you’re probably the perfect candidate for double-cleansing.

In this case, our Blueberry Bounce Gentle Cleanser breaks down water-soluble debris, while our Papaya Sorbet Enzyme Cleansing Balm makes quick work of oil-soluble materials. When you’re working with heavier makeup, “let the stronger of the cleansers — in this case the Papaya Balm — soak into the skin for a bit with a good layer of it,” says Tulve. “And removing it with a warm washcloth does wonders, too.”

Take a deep dive on double-cleansing — and how it can transform skin.

If you’re not too tired, give skin an even deeper clean with Watermelon Glow Hyaluronic Clay Pore-Tight Facial. It’s whipped with a blend of chemical exfoliants — think PHA, BHA, and watermelon enzymes — to clear out congestion, kaolin clay to draw out impurities, and hyaluronic acid within infused that clay (hence hyaluronic clay) to hydrate skin. Then, give potential clogs the boot with another application of the Watermelon Glow PHA+BHA Pore-Tight Toner; apply it with a cotton pad this time to make removing extra grime even easier (versus simply patting it in, which is best saved for clean skin). Watermelon Glow Hyaluronic Clay Pore-Tight Facial. It’s whipped with a blend of chemical exfoliants — think PHA, BHA, and watermelon enzymes — to clear out congestion, kaolin clay to draw out impurities, and hyaluronic acid within infused that clay (hence hyaluronic clay) to hydrate skin.

Finally, before you moisturize, pat on Avocado Ceramide Recovery Serum. It has not one, not two, but five skin-identical ceramides that replenish those naturally found (and often lost) in the skin barrier. It also has proven soothers, such as allantoin and rice milk, to bring skin back into balance after a long, busy day. Then, rest up so you (and your skin) can be ready for whatever tomorrow throws at you.

Read more about getting your healthiest skin yet:

• Finally, a Glass Skin Routine That Works for Your Schedule
• How to Exfoliate Skin Properly
• Why You Need a Gentle Approach for Clogged Pores