How To Get The Best Red Carpet Glow: We Went Behind The Scenes With FKA Twigs & Augustinus Bader At The Met Gala

Inside the multi-step facial that left FKA Twigs glowing at the 2025 Met Gala

The 2025 Met Gala saw some of the most radiant red carpet looks, and much of that radiance came courtesy of Augustinus Bader—the secret weapon behind some of the night’s most flawless complexions. In the days leading up to the event, the brand’s renowned facialists Lord Gavin McLeod-Valentine and Desirée Delia offered personalized treatments at its skincare suite at The Mark Hotel; revitalising, sculpting, and deeply hydrating the skin—perfect for fashion’s most important night out.

Among the radiant faces at this year’s Met Gala, FKA Twigs stood out with a sculpted, luminous glow—courtesy of Augustinus Bader’s The Method facial. Her skin prep began days ahead of the red carpet, with a bespoke treatment designed to calm, hydrate, and energize the complexion, ensuring her skin was as expressive and striking as the look she debuted that night.

Lord Gavin, often called the “King of Red-Carpet Skin Prep,” focused on awakening the skin’s natural tone and structure: “My approach is to draw out the natural currency of the complexion, alleviate tension, and create an upward, sculpted appearance that gives the perfect canvas for makeup.” Delia added: “Skin prep is more than just products—it’s about priming your skin to perform at its peak.”

The process began with a Cleansing Balm and Foaming Cleanser to lift impurities and activate blood flow, followed by an oxygen infusion powered by hyaluronic acid and vitamins A, C, and E to saturate the skin with hydration. A mist was then spritzed on to lock in moisture. Facial massage using The Face Oil and Kobido techniques stimulated muscles and boosted lymphatic drainage, while cryo sticks and a hydrogel mask added a visibly plumping and brightening effect.

LED light therapy helped tighten and tone, followed by a second effleurage to eliminate remaining congestion. The Rich Eye Cream was applied to firm the under-eye area, and a final round of radiofrequency and kinetic suction left the skin taut, dewy, and defined. Rich Cream locked in all the nourishment, while cooling Eye Patches prepped her for makeup. A few final mists sealed the glow—and Lord Gavin’s signature guided meditation helped FKA Twigs envision her night ahead. FKA Twigs arrived on the Met steps not only radiant, but visibly recharged—proof that true red carpet magic starts in the facial suite.

Images supplied.