Flawless wedding day skin is within reach. Image via Pexels.
Every bride wants to look beautiful on her big day – it’s a big part of the fairytale to look flawless in those wedding pictures, after all. But not many realise that it takes quite a bit of hard work to achieve that perfect finish. Booking a makeup artist for the day and forgetting about it is not quite going to cut it for the biggest day of your life. Instead, you need to uncover the secret of why Hollywood A-listers look a cut above us mere mortals – and that secret is preparation. They don’t just spend time and care on day the day of a red carpet event itself. The preparation will have begun months in advance to ensure they have the glowing skin, sleek hair and dazzling smiles that dreams are made of. The good news? You can do the same. In fact, if you are planning a romantic winter wedding or even tying the knot in early spring next year, now is the perfect time to start planning your bridal beauty prep. Having a date set for your wedding gives you the timeframe and the motivation to look your absolute best. So get your beauty house in order and start your new regimen of self-care today. After all, what better excuse to get yourself looking fabulous than your big day?
Learn To Manage Stress
It may not seem like the most obvious place to start, but before you skip way ahead to picking out the perfect shade of lipstick, it’s important to understand that beauty begins in the mind. Planning a wedding is exciting, but it can also be one of the most stressful things you will undertake. From anxiety about the budget to the stress of working out a seating plan, the psychological impact of organising such a large scale and meaningful event can take it’s toll – and that can easily show in your face. From dull, sallow skin to dark circles from sleepless nights, stress is linked to a whole host of skin conditions. In some cases, it can even lead to inflammatory conditions cropping up, such as psoriasis, keratosis pilaris or eczema. Even heavy makeup may struggle to disguise these blemishes, plus you won’t feel your best on the day if you’re dealing with the discomfort they cause. So while you have the time, combat the root cause by learning some stress management techniques to get it all under control. Deep breathing patterns can really help, as well as using a guided meditation app such as Headspace. You could try joining a yoga class or following yoga routines on YouTube for a destressing fix, or even just making time for a daily walk outside at lunchtime. Solving stress is not only good for your head, it will make you look better too.
Up Your Skincare Routine
Flawless, glowing skin can be yours- but only with some effort in advance. If you haven’t adopted a consistent skincare regime yet, then you need to start well ahead of your big day. Make sure the basics are covered, but also add in some extra effort to turn your complexion woes around and get a smooth, flawless canvas for your wedding day makeup. First up, aim to increase your daily water consumption. Dehydrated skin will never sparkle, so purchase a pretty reusable metal water bottle and refill it at least four times a day. If you have major skin issues, you may want to book a dermatologist consultation. There could be certain skin issues, like hyperpigmentation or expression lines that you wish to treat, and professional advice and access to the prescription only products may be able to help you achieve the outcome you want. But remember, treatments can take several months to be effective, so book in well in advance of your wedding date. Make sure that you always use a gentle cleanser, and take off makeup thoroughly at night. You can then start layering in more advanced treatments too. Try a retinol oil at night to counteract signs of aging and deeply nourish skin – Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Oil is a hero product beloved by the A-list for this reason. For best results, pair with an exfoliating toner such as the cult Pixi Glow Tonic – this uses glycolic acid to gently but effectively strip away dead skin cells, encouraging renewal and allowing other products to absorb more easily. Layer in an antioxidant Vitamin C serum to fight damage from free radicals and other environmental aggressors and give your skin an amazing energy boost, and make sure to wear a broad spectrum sun protection with a high SPF during the day to stop sun damage, which can cause wrinkles and dark spots. Once a week, take the time to treat yourself to a face mks tailored to your specific skin goals. If you have sensitive skin, go delicate with natural remedies – you could make your own cucumber face mask. If you want to zap lines, go for deeply hydrating sheet mask infused with skin goodies like collagen, or if your skin is too oily an exfoliating mud mask can help to settle it and take away impurities. For a lifting effect, GlamGlow Gravity Mud has impressive effects – both instantly and over time.
Smooth Those Limbs
And beautiful skin doesn’t just stop from the neck down – you’ll also want to get the skin on your body in top condition, especially focusing on areas which will be on display with the dress you’ve chosen – that may be your shoulders and décolleté, your back, or even your legs if you’re rocking a short, 50s style gown. Switch to a sulfate-free body wash for gentle cleansing, and get into the habit of patting, rather than running, your skin dry. An invigorating coffee scrub used regularly can really help to get smooth, glowing limbs. Apply a moisturising lotion while your skin is still slightly damp to lock in moisture. You may also want to look into laser hair removal treatments. After all, who needs to worry about fighting the fuzz on your wedding day and honeymoon? You’ll need a course of several treatments for it to be effective and each session is spaced several weeks apart, so make sure to book in advance
From The Outside In
Of course, what you put into your body is also going to have an effect on your skin, nails and hair, so make sure you are getting the right nutrients and minerals for a truly glowing appearance. In particular, try to up your intake of green juices. It’s a winning cocktail for skin, as liquidised leafy greens contain vital minerals which stimulate the lymphatic system, draining away puffiness and congestion and also having an oxygenating effect on the complexion. Equally, cutting down on alcoholic drinks will improve your skin quality no end. Alcohol breaks capillaries, leaving a red, blotchy face and dehydrates, making lines and wrinkles more pronounced as well as making skin lose it’s radiance. Including more sources of Omega-3 in your diet can also improve the health and appearance of your face. You can always boost your intake of nutrients with supplements or powdered supergreens that can be mixed with juice or water.
Get Your Glow On
As you get nearer to the day, booking in for a series of spray tans can give you a final boost to look and feel your best on the big day. A good tan can hide a multitude of body sins, evening out skin tone and disguising imperfections like scarring, cellulite and stretch marks. A skilled beautician can even use different shades of tan to contour and sculpt, adding definition to parts of your body that may be showcased by the dress you choose.
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