The Skin Nerd: My backstage secrets behind the scenes at Dancing with the Stars

This week Skin Nerd and Skingredients Founder Jennifer Rock gets hands on with the celebrities

The Skin Nerd Jennifer Rock back stage at Dancing With The Stars

Can you believe that it is my third year working behind the scenes at Dancing with the Stars? Tending to the faces of the hit show is a fun-filled, frantic affair but I wouldn’t want it any other way. As a trained facialist who has turned her love of skincare into a business, the hands-on, practical experience of caring for the skin is a welcome break from the calls of spreadsheets and Zoom meetings. And being amongst the sparkles is pretty good too. But honestly, the best part about working on Dancing with the Stars is that it feels like family. It’s a fast-paced, notorious show and it’s so much fun getting to work with the presenters and judges. I often stay behind to watch and feel so proud to notably see the difference in my clients' faces due to the skin prep undertaken and so this week, I give you a sneak peak of what goes on
before the show begins.

Starting with the basics

It’s not all about the face — it’s my job to make sure that every part of the skin is looked after from top to toe. I work closely with Paula Callan, celebrity makeup artist, to create a ‘blank canvas’ that is prepped for makeup and lasts for the duration of the live show. I typically tend to the skin of the three judges; head judge, Loraine Barry and fellow judges, Arthur Gourounlian and Brian Redmond, and the shows co-presenters, Jennifer Zamparelli and Doireann Garrihy. I do what I can to get their skin as dewy as possible.

An early start

We get access to the studio early, so we can start at 9am, before hair and makeup. I look after five clients, whose goals change each week and use my time to tackle any pre-show skin issues that need addressing, with the aim of getting their skin hydrated and dewy but not too tacky or sticky — ie, a perfect canvas for makeup application.

Clients need to be ready early (about 1pm) for dress rehearsals and playbacks, mic checks and the final check. This is hours before the live show, so we need to make sure makeup lasts as long as possible.

Pre-show priorities

One of the key aims is to ensure the skin is hydrated and dewy but as non-reflective as possible. I assess the skin and if I notice a breakout or any areas of inflammation, textural realities, puffiness, lethargy, or uneven pigment, I will address these first. As we are prepping the skin mere hours before a live show, we cannot use a high percentage of potent acid or treatments that could cause irritation. For example, when it comes to blemishes, the most intrusive way I can help is to lance the area and to help combat puffiness, I will perform lymphatic drainage techniques across the arms and the face. I will then carry out a facial, varying the use of products depending on each client’s skin – all the while, trying not to touch the hair. Head hairstylist Sian Sharkey keeps a close eye on this.

The skin schedule

I always start with Skingredients PreProbiotic Cleanse Hydrating Cleanser — it’s the perfect daily cleanser as it suits all skins and nourishes as it cleanses.

I then move on to an active cleanse using either Skingredients AHA Cleanse Brightening + Exfoliating Lactic Acid Cleanser or Skingredients Sally Cleanse 2% Salicylic Acid Oil Control Cleanser. AHA is great for those seeking hydration, radiance, and vibrance whilst Sally is best for those with oily or congested skin. The next step depends on what I am trying to target, but often involves IMAGE Skincare Illuma Brightening Serum to illuminate and dazzle the skin while calming any
inflammatory spots that may be present. This is a beautiful product to massage with , particularly when mixed with IMAGE Skincare Ormedic Serum or Dr Hauschka Regenerating Serum and I use it alongside the Haumea Smart Sonic Facial Brush, a silicone-based, supercharged facial brush that is respectful to the skin, while ensuring a deep, thorough cleanse. As a mild exfoliation, I lean upon Ultraceuticals professional range to slough off dead skin and allow for better penetration of any hydrators that follow.

I apply a sheet mask from Seoulista for hydration — there are several to choose from, but
Seoulista Super Hydration Instant Facial Sheet Mask is a great allrounder and I often use the Seoulista Cryo Cool Skin Tool alongside the mask to help calm inflammation and boost circulation. This is also quite calming and allows my clients to have a bit of Zen time before the franticness of a live show.

As we know, Dancing with the Stars is all about the bling, with lots of adornment on show in the decolletage area, so we need to ensure these areas are hydrated. Whilst the sheet mask is working its magic on the face, I will carry out an arm and decolletage massage. I have devised a special showtime concoction to help soothe the clients during this time. This includes NUXE Huile Prodigieuse Multi-Purpose Dry Oil, which is lightweight but penetrates deep into the skin. My other favourite is Dr Hauschka Moor Lavender Calming Body Oil, which is deeply aromatic and pacifies any nerves as well as helping to lock in moisture. These two products have become the talk of clients and backstage crew as they are experientially divine and leave the set smelling like a spa. Plus, it gets the skin deeply hydrated and ready for the Bellamianta tan that will be used later to achieve flawless coverage.

If I need to tackle any blackheads or microcomedones, I do this carefully with Skin Krush — a home microdermabrasion brand founded in Ireland by skincare nurses Jeanette Dunne and Sinead Gallagher. It has a skin-safe setting but is so effective. It produces instant results and is a firm favourite — particular for male skin, where natural secretions are higher. I use this localised to the areas needed and always conclude with hydration, with a spritz of Ella & Jo 3 in 1 Hyaluronic Skin Mist.

Supporting stars

• Ella and Jo Clear Skin AHA & BHA Clarifying Liquid — a blend of powerhouse exfoliating liquids that boost tone, texture and clarity, without disrupting the moisture barrier.
• Dr Hauschka Eye Cream — which contains shea butters and antioxidants to help invigorate the eye immediately.
• Skingredients Skin Veg Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum — packed with antioxidants and the remedy for a parched complexion.
• Skingredients Skin Good Fats Ultra-Hydrating Ceramide Moisturiser — this is TLC in a tub and makes a beautiful base for makeup, together with Skingredients Skin Shield Moisturising + Priming SPF50 PA+++ which provides vital sun protection and leaves a radiant, peachy glow. Importantly, this SPF also absorbs like a dream and doesn’t pill under makeup or create photo flashback — Paula Callan loves these two as a base.

I will switch between NUXE Reve de Miel Lip Balm or IMAGE Skincare Ormedic Lip Enhancement Complex, depending on the desired finish.

Take home tips

Tools and products work together well: Enhance the results of your skincare by teaming your cleanser with a massage tool or technique. I also featured the Haumea LED Light Therapy
Device on Ireland AM this week as it’s a favourite of mine thanks to its technology and the instant results it provides.

Look after the skin from top to toe: Cover all angles and all layers for that cha-cha-cha skin glow. Not everyone is going to be on live TV every week but when it comes to body care, a little extra time and attention pays off. The neck and decolletage are commonly neglected areas and so remember to include these areas in your cleansing, hydrating, and protection regimes.