Top Ten Wedding Beauty Tips
Your wedding day is one of the biggest days in your life and naturally, you want to look and feel amazing. For me, preparation is key, and here are my Top Ten Beauty Wedding Tips in the lead-up to your most special day.
1. Have A Skincare Consultation
As soon as the engagement ring is on your finger, book in for a skincare consultation. I have clients who come to me a few weeks before their wedding looking for a quick fix and yes there are certain treatments and products that will help improve the appearance of the skin but to have it in perfect condition, ideally, you should be starting to think about it a few months in advance. I always advise brides to come in for a consultation at least six months before their wedding. This is a great way to determine your skin goals and find out the best way to optimize your skin care in the run-up to the big day.
2. Supplement Your Skincare
Supplements can make a big difference to your complexion. Remember though, these will not deliver instant results, you need to be taking them for at least 10-12 weeks before you will begin to see the benefits. Three to consider are Collagen, which improves our skin’s elasticity and hydration, resulting in fewer fine lines and a more even skin tone. Vitamin C, this antioxidant will boost your collagen supplementation – meaning that it will make it way more effective and it also supports its natural production, not to mention all the extra benefits vitamin C has and lastly Vitamin B complex. Aside from helping to lower stress levels and being an energy booster, this vitamin complex works wonders for your skin, hair, and nails. One you might like to try is Solgar Collagen Hyaluronic Acid Complex, which also has Vitamin C in it.
3. Schedule Some Facials
Regular facials make a big difference to your skin’s texture and the better prepared your skin is, the more flawless your makeup will look and the longer it will last. Schedule a monthly treatment (aim for three) that will brighten and firm your complexion. It’s also a great opportunity to see what your skin needs or what it’s lacking, and treatments can be tailored to this. In the midst of all the wedding stress, they are a welcome treat and a time for some self-care which we all know the importance of.
4. Hydrate Your Skin
Get your skin in tip-top condition by drinking plenty of water – aim for about two liters a day. With all the running around you’re likely to be doing it’s more important than ever to stay hydrated. Also eating your water is equally as important. Make sure you are eating plenty of water-rich fruits and vegetables along with being mindful of your diet generally. You can also hydrate your skin externally by using Hyaluronic Acid (we have it naturally in our skin, unfortunately with aging these levels drop) I like NIOD Multi Molecular Hyaluronic Complex and Vichy’s Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster, both these serums are great for plumping skin and keeping it hydrated.
5. Prep Your Body
Dry body brushing is a game changer when it comes to your body and has major skin benefits. It is fantastic at exfoliating dead skin cells away, getting rid of those pesky ingrown hairs along with increasing blood circulation. It also gets the flow of lymph going, that all-important fluid that whisks toxins out of our systems. Lymph relies on muscle movement to pass through the body, so if you’re not an active person, dry body brushing is a wonderful tool to rid the body of waste. You can pick up a dry body brush in most pharmacies. Start with three times a week and build up to daily. I like to body brush before the shower. While we’re talking body prep, I often get asked about the dreaded chicken skin or to give it its correct name, keratosis pilaris (KP for short). This is caused by excess keratin, which forms a plug at the site of a hair follicle, and small bumps form. Three products I think are super for treating this are NeoStrata Lotion Plus, Eucerin Intensive 10% Urea Treatment Lotion and Ameliorate Transforming Body Lotion.
6. Aim to Look Like You
Deciding on your wedding makeup is a huge part of your big day and while it’s always great to experiment with wedding looks, you really do want to look like yourself be it a more enhanced version of yourself! My advice is to consult a few makeup artists early on and find someone who understands your style and who you will work well with. I always think it’s a good idea to do two trials so that you will have a better feel for how you want to look. Another good idea if you can, is to go for a dress fitting after a hair and makeup trial, that way you’ll know for sure if the overall look works for you, and remember your makeup artist wants you to feel and look amazing for your special day if during the trials there are aspects you don’t like, let your artist know, they won’t be offended.
7. DIY
Some brides (I was one of them) like to do their own wedding makeup. If this is you, a good primer is key to really helping create a great canvas for your makeup, as well as helping it last longer. And don’t forget an eye primer too, I love Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion. For the perfect base, you are looking for a foundation that will last, even out skin tone, smooth imperfections, and give you that bridal glow. One I particularly like is Armani Luminous Silk Foundation. It has medium coverage, but you can sheer it out or build it up if you want to. It’s also great for lots of different skin types as it’s oil-free but hydrating and has quite a velvety finish. Remember too, it’s crucial to match your face to the rest of your body – shoulders, arms, back, chest, wherever skin is exposed. MAC Face & Body is great for matching everything up. If you’re not really a foundation person or don’t like lots of coverage, this could also work as your base. It gives a smooth flawless finish with a bit of dewiness.
8. Be Brow Ready
When it comes to preparing for your wedding one area that can get overlooked are your eyebrows. If you have plucked, waxed, or threaded them to within an inch of their life then being brow-ready needs to start at least six months in advance of your wedding day. Find a good brow specialist who will put you on a plan to achieve the brow shape best suited to you and stick with them. And remember, eyebrows are to enhance and open the eye and anything too heavy will do the exact opposite. You can also try a brow serum or buy some castor oil and using an old washed and clean mascara wand, brush a little through the eyebrows at night. One serum that I have tried and have had success with is NYK1 Lash and Brow Serum. Do not pluck between appointments as invariably that one little hair you want rid of ends up being 10. If you are really struggling with growing them, microblading is also an option but make sure you do your research and go to someone reputable. I have seen many a dodgy eyebrow on people who haven’t done their due diligence.
9. Get your Sleep
Beauty Sleep isn’t called Beauty Sleep for nothing. During sleep, the body goes into “repair” mode and in the deepest stages of sleep will produce the most growth hormone, which aids in cell and tissue repair and it also makes new collagen, keeping skin strong and elastic. It’s safe to say there is probably a good chance of some sleepless nights during all the wedding preparations. In order to make the best use of your beauty sleep, as early as an hour before you go to bed, and no later than fifteen minutes before you sleep, try and create a wind-down routine. Switch off the emails, dim the lights, and basically disengage from everything. Along with reducing your caffeine intake, and having a long warm bath or shower before bedtime, I love to use This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray. This is a super blend of Lavender, Vetivert, and Camomile, which calms both the mind and body and literally, soothes you to sleep.
10. On the day
On the morning of the wedding, consider applying a sheet mask after showering, such as Charlotte Tilbury Instant Magic Facial Dry Sheet. This will help give your complexion an instant boost of radiance and moisture along with lifting and plumping the skin and only takes 15 minutes – just enough time to grab a glass of bubbly! If sheet masks aren’t your thing you could opt for Clarins Extra-Firming Mask which leaves skin smooth and radiant in just 10 mins. Remember too, it’s a long day and your skin can start to feel a little dehydrated whether that’s down to the wedding tipples or if it’s a summer wedding and temperatures are high. One simple way of keeping your complexion plump and dewy is with a facial mist, Origins Ginzing Energy Boosting Treatment Lotion Mist is ultra-refreshing and oil-free, apply a quick spritz over makeup to revive and energize your skin throughout the day. Finally, luscious lips. No doubt there will be a lot of puckering up. Lancôme L’Absolu Rouge Lipstick comes in matte, sheer, or cream and gives a long-wearing like that won’t fade or feather, it’s also hydrating so your lips will feel soft, comfortable, and ready for kissing!
Sherna x
