By –  Josephine Agbonkhese

Preparing for a red carpet event is more complex than you can imagine.

In most cases, depending on how far in time the event is scheduled, it is weeks of work, gulping thousands of Naira, all in an effort to gain that perfect camera-ready look.

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And it’s not just the dress; every aspect of the body is inspected and perfected for the red carpet.

Here are tips to get you looking gorgeous at your next red carpet moment.

Exercise

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Exercise is a must for shapely arms and a fit physique. Regular exercise will get you red-carpet ready, slimming your hips and waist, and sculpting shoulders, legs and bottom. This also impacts the skin.

Just make sure you lift, pull, or push something that challenges your muscles on a regular basis. 

Find Your Perfect Pose

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You can’t look red carpet-ready without a go-to pose. While there are plenty of flattering options to choose from—like putting one hand on your hip or looking over your shoulder—there’s only one to really avoid: just standing there.

Skin Spray

Ever wondered how stars get that subtle glow that makes them look perfectly dewy but not greasy? It’s a hard middle ground to find, but if you use the right product, you’ll get it down. Use a hydrating skin spray to perfectly reflect light, so you look really supple.

Food

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Giving your body the right fuel is key when trying to look and feel your best. Kick off sugar. Make sure every meal has quality protein like seafood, eggs, dairy, fiber in the form of vegetables, whole grains or legumes, and healthy fats such as avocado, nuts, or seeds.

Nails

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A pretty, fresh manicure is a red carpet must. You definitely want your nails on point, ready for when you give a handshake, lift a glass of wine, grab the mic for a vocal performance or use your phone.

Hair

Hair doesn’t need too much advance prep in our clime, thanks to wigs. Unless you will be exposing parts of your natural hair. 

Again, your hairstyle will depend on your dress: A strapless gown might call for flowing hairstyle, where a high-neck design demands a classic updo.

Sleep

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Sleep is everything! A lack of quality sleep will actually impact our metabolism, appetite, and digestion. Make sure that you avoid caffeine in the afternoon, minimise alcohol in the evening, and try to unplug from your technology at least an hour before bedtime.