You’ve made it through the fun part of your engagement (admit it: You loved snapping all those ring selfies), and now it’s time to get into the nitty-gritty of looking fantastic on your big day. We’re talking about your wedding beauty regimen because right now is the perfect excuse to give it a makeover so that you can have the best hair, skin, and nails of your life as you make your way down the aisle.
Sorry, brides-to-be, but it’s not just your venue, invitations, wedding dress, and seating chart that need your attention. In addition to your wedding checklist, you have another set of to-dos to conquer before you say “I do,” but luckily this checklist is tons more fun than deciding where your feuding cousins should sit. Starting (or revamping) a wedding beauty regimen is a great way to practice some self-care, giving you the opportunity to de-stress ahead of your nuptials. And of course, each step will aid you in perfecting your wedding-day look, from smoothing your skin to strengthening your hair. Because who doesn’t want to look their best on their big day? Wedding photos last forever, need we remind you?
To a certain extent, everyone wants to look like a supermodel on a daily basis, but we may not have the drive to act on it. A wedding date gives you a deadline, and forces you to start making a move. The clock is ticking and it’s time to start checking things off your wedding beauty plan leading up to the big day. Below, the 40 things to consider when getting your wedding day bridal beauty routine in order.
SKIN: Manage Stress
From the top of your head to the tips of your toes, there’s no end to the beauty bummers headed your way if you don’t get your wedding-planning stress under control. On the complexion front, Many inflammatory conditions, including eczema, psoriasis, and keratosis pilaris, may be at least partially caused by stress. As stress weakens the immune system, chronic inflammation worsens. Excess anxiety can also disrupt your sleep, which in turn can lead to a gray, decidedly un-bridal complexion. The fix? Do what you can to chill out, whether that means hitting a yoga class after work or guided meditation apps such as Headspace and Omvana.
When: 1 Year Out
SKIN: Set Up An Appointment With Your Dermatologist
Not to put too fine a point on it, but flawless skin should probably be one of the top priorities for your wedding day, right up there with securing a stunning venue. And there are two key reasons to get a pro skin doc in your corner early on: One, they can assess your complexion’s current state way better than you and your trusty magnifying mirror. And two, they can help you devise a strategy for achieving your dream-skin goals, be it softening pesky forehead wrinkles or zapping acne. Some treatments take time – up to several months – and you certainly want a game plan.
When: 1 Year Out
SKIN: Consider Laser Hair Removal
There’s no better excuse than your wedding (and honeymoon) to treat yourself to laser hair removal. Is it a splurge? Yes, but it will be so worth it when shaving your armpits and legs is the last thing on your mind. Depending on where you go, sessions can range from $200 to $350, and planning should be done 9 to 12 months before the wedding, as it typically takes six sessions spaced six weeks apart to see permanent results. As for pain, yes, there is some discomfort – but it’s minimal and temporary. Besides, with the newest lasers on the market, you can expect a cool blast of air as your technician zaps away unwanted hair.
When: 1 Year Out
SKIN: Decide If Retinol Is Right For You
Although every day seems to bring a new must-have “miracle” skin care ingredient, 99.9 percent of them can’t hold a candle to the gold standard of skin care, retinol. Derived from vitamin A, the tried-and-true ingredient increases cell turnover, unclogs pores, boosts collagen, and helps diminish hyperpigmentation. The prescription version, aka retinoid, is even more powerful. Still, as great as they are, both retinol and prescription-strength retinoids can cause redness and peeling at the outset, and even a possible uptick in acne before all those benefits kick in.
When: 9 Months Out
SKIN: Visit An Aesthetician For Regular Facials
If you’re one of the lucky few whose skin is under control and you want to keep it that way leading up to your wedding, find a reputable aesthetician in your area to help maintain skin in tip-top shape. In your initial chat with a prospective aesthetician, make sure you address your goals and needs – don’t be afraid to speak up. Look for someone who’s a good listener. Old-school facialists would dictate your care. These days the best ones work with your budget, your goals, and your skin. Don’t go overboard with the treatments either, because flare-ups post-facials are likely.
When: 9 Months Out
SKIN: Take Time To Exfoliate And Follow Up With A Brightening Serum
As dead cells accumulate on the skin, they interfere with light reflection giving it a dull appearance. The solution: Regular exfoliation paired with a brightening serum to give you the best lit-from-within glow on your wedding day. Regular exfoliation removes dead cells to improve radiance and can enhance the absorption of skin brightening products through the skin.
When: 5 Months Out
SKIN: Skip The Wine And Get To Juicing
Because vino is such a world-class dehydrator, capillary breaker, and radiance robber, downing endless glasses is one of the biggest crimes against complexion brides-to-be commit. If it’s too hard to part ways with your wine, at least cut back and substitute that Bordeaux with liquefied leafy greens – especially during the few months leading up to your wedding. Green juice is great for skin because it’s oxygenating and contains vital minerals to help stimulate the lymphatic system and drain out puffiness. One a day is great.
When: 3 Months Out
BODY: Nourish Your Skin Starting In The Shower
Most women don’t realize that your skincare routine truly starts in the shower and that using a gentle cleanser is key. Gently patting skin dry instead of rubbing and applying lotion within minutes of getting out of the shower to lock in moisture before it evaporates. Get in the habit of doing this for beautiful skin from head to toe come your wedding day.
When: 1 Year Out
BODY: Pay Attention To Your Décolletage
Not only is it a notorious sun-magnet, but the décolletage is also prone to wrinkling for another reason. The skin of the neck and chest has a very different structure than that of the face and body. The décolletage is an area with significantly less ‘fat padding’ and is generally more delicate than facial skin. Translation: To look banging in that plunging gown, you might need to put some extra effort in there. Start with an OTC retinol product, and move on to prescription if your derm deems it necessary.
If you’re still seeing spots or redness, consider adding microdermabrasion to your treasure-chest repertoire. These treatments gently “sand” the skin, removing roughness.
When:
1 Year Out For Retinol;
6 Months Out For Rx Retinoid;
3 Months Out For Your First Of 2 To 4 Microdermabrasion Treatments
BODY: Use A Humidifier To Keep Skin Happy And Healthy
After chiseling your upper body to perfection in the gym (more on that later), the last thing you want are patches of unsightly red bumps on the backs of your arms. The condition, called keratosis pilaris (KP for short) is caused by excess keratin, which forms a plug at the site of a hair follicle. Unfortunately we don’t know what triggers the buildup of keratin, KP often affects people with other skin conditions, like eczema. Triggers can include cold temperatures (resulting in a lack of moisture in the air), hormonal changes, food allergies, and a bride’s arch nemesis – stress. While there’s no cure for KP. Introducing moisture to the air via a humidifier can also help.
When: 9 Months Out
SKIN: Get Into Dry Brushing
Clocking in at under $20, a body brush might be one of the best engagement beauty investments you make. Dry-brushing yields major skin benefits, including exfoliation and increased blood circulation (i.e. a healthy glow). From an overall wellness standpoint, it also revs up the flow of lymph, the 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-brushing is a wonderful tool to rid the body of waste. There’s real science behind it, and it really works when you commit to it. Start with three dry-brushing sessions per week, building up to daily, and make sure to slather on some type of moisturizer afterward.
When: 6 Months Out
BODY: Glow Up Skin With A Spray Tan
A sunless spray tan will even out skin tone, camouflaging any imperfections like stretch marks, scars, redness, and cellulite. It can also be used to contour by defining muscles and sculpting curves. Getting a trial spray tan before your dress fitting to figure out if you want to go darker or lighter before the big day. A week before the big day, start exfoliating your skin in preparation for your spray tan.
When: At Your Dress Fitting And 2 Days Before Your Wedding
HAIR: Keratin Treatment 101
While it’s completely understandable that a frizz-prone bride would want to take out an extra hair-insurance policy for the big day, there’s just no getting around the fact that chemical straightening exacts a hefty health toll on your strands. Making matters worse? A dizzying array of options, from Brazilian Blowout Original Solution to Japanese straightening. There are so many different keratin treatments and relaxers today. Try out the process months in advance to be sure it works for you.
When: 9 Months Out For Sampling A Straightening Treatment
HAIR: Come Up With A Color Game Plan
The general rule of thumb for big-day color shifts – whether you’re going lighter or darker – is to stay within two shades of your natural hue. But no matter what color you want, planning is imperative. You should start planning your hair color as soon as you know how your hair will be styled for the wedding. Bring inspiration photos to your colorist of choice and be clear about your hair goals. You should also plan to get your hair touched up 7 to 10 days before the wedding to ensure it looks its best. You want to have enough time to know you like the final color in case you need to change anything.
When:
6 Months Out For Test Driving Initial Color;
10 Days Out For Your Last Pre-Wedding Touch-Up
HAIR: Shampoo Less Often (Yes, Really)
As great as H20 is for you internally (it hydrates and debloats, so drink up), when it comes to hair, water won’t do those pricey highlights or rich faux brunette any favors. Over-shampooing lifts, dulls, and fades hair color. Shampooing no more than three to four times a week. The best is to rinse hair and use a mild detangler in between shampoos. When you do opt to suds up, do it with a gentle, color-loving shampoo.
When: 6 Months Out
HAIR: Don’t Skip Conditioner
Color or no color, this is the time to lavish extra TLC on your locks. You can head to the salon for a deep conditioning treatment or you can DIY it, by slathering wet hair with your mega-hydrator of choice. For home use, a few drops of vitamin E oil mixed into your conditioner or hair mask of choice. We generally make a conditioning plan built around the wedding date. If the hair is in bad shape, we suggest weekly or biweekly treatments.
When: 3 Months Out (Earlier If Hair Is Damaged)
HAIR: Personalize Your Hair Style
There’s a big difference between looking amazing for your wedding day and morphing into a trendy version of yourself. Trust us, you’ll feel so much more relaxed on your big day if you opt for Plan A, aka your best you. You want a timeless look – an elevated version of yourself. If you never wear your hair up because you hate your ears, don’t let anyone talk you into that. The ’80s provided us with a ton of ugly photos to remind us of this. Translation: Steer clear of those over-the-top Instagram updos and oversized hair accessories and go with a hairstyle that feels natural to you when you do your hair trials.
When: 2 Months Out
HAIR: Give Extensions A Go
If your natural hair is lacking in the volume department or your hairstyle of choice requires some extra length, look into trying hair extensions. Extensions help create a variety of styles, stay put all day long through photos and dancing, and make hair look like the best version of your normal style. It takes about a month to order the hair so he recommends going in for a consultation at least two months ahead of the wedding date. If you are doing permanent extensions, would have them put in a week or two ahead of the wedding and for clip ins, a week before is fine.
When:
2 Months For Consultation
1 Week Before The Wedding
MAKEUP: Invest In A Satin-Finish Foundation
Once you’re engaged, the picture-taking never stops. And while you probably won’t be sporting full-on makeup for every photo op, some occasions will definitely require a bit more polish. Give a big round of applause to satin-finish foundation, a universally flattering formula. Satin has luminosity, and makes the skin look pretty. You want that little bit of glow and dewiness that you don’t get with a matte formula. But at the same time, you don’t want too much shimmer. Satin gives the kind of balance that’s most reminiscent of natural skin
When: 1 Year Out
MAKEUP: Refine Your Makeup Stash And Look
Every bride should wear a face full of paint and powder on her big day, right? So she’ll look extra glam in that online album? Wrong. Those pictures need to transcend time. If you’re not a big makeup-wearer, don’t just do it for your wedding day. Wear what you normally wear, but refine it. You can even just add a lash to do something special. No one will ever realize you’re in false lashes. The point is to stay away from anything too extreme, or obvious.
When: 3 To 6 Months Out
MAKEUP: Skip Mascara, Try Lash Extensions
Afraid the waterproof mascara just won’t cut it on the big day? Consider lash extensions. Lash extensions are great for brides who don’t want to worry about having beautiful lashes from the rehearsal dinner through the honeymoon. They look great in photographs which are not forgiving. Since eyelash extensions are placed individually on existing lashes, no matter how close up the camera is, they will appear natural. Getting your first full set a few weeks out to test drive them and to return three to four days before the wedding for a fill-in. When you go back, you can make changes to your previous look.
When:
3 Weeks Out,
3 Days Out For A Touch-Up
MAKEUP: Steer Clear Of Heavy Contouring
Fake-sculpted cheeks? So 2015. Although contouring can be flattering when done right. When you have severe contrast, the face doesn’t match up to the rest of the body. To optimize the technique, opt for a sheer, blendable cream formula. There’s a way to contour in a more natural way, using see-through, transparent textures. Add just a hint of depth under the cheekbones. Very subtle, very sheer.
When: Day-Of
MAKEUP: Balance Is Key
Super smoky eyes; glossy, fire-engine red lips; and bushy, Cara Delevingne-esque brows might be a slam dunk for your Vegas bachelorette, but they have no business at your wedding. Biggest piece of advice for brides is to stay away from extremes of any kind. Nothing should jump, so that means no overly strong anything. It’s about balance and softness. You want to rock a red lip for your wedding? Okay. But keep the lip line soft and undefined.
When: Day-Of
BROWS: Put The Tweezers Down
We’ve all been guilty of over-plucking, but now is the time to seriously put the tweezers down and give up the threading and waxing. Why? When you over-pluck, you lose all of your natural arch shape, which can change your facial expression altogether. Every bride needs a good aesthetician to whip those brows into shape before the big day. For a classic approach to brow-shaping, you want to find brows that fit your face – brows should be a mirror of your facial features. That’s how they start to bring balance to the entire face and eyes.
When: 1 Year Out
BROWS: Invest In The Perfect Brow Arsenal
The only thing that comes second to finding the perfect dress for the big day is finding the perfect brow wardrobe. You need to look for quality products to prevent things like a makeup meltdown or flaky gels. Now is the time to invest in highly pigmented, long-wear brow products that don’t flake or budge. After all, you’ll be taking pictures nonstop this year. Be sure to choose a shade that mimics the same color as your brow hair – that’s key to making the product blend in effortlessly.
When: 1 Year Out
MAKEUP: Try Microblading
If your brows are so sparse that they need serious help or you’ve been dying to try microblading, consider doing it two months out. With microblading, you can achieve your dream natural brows without worrying about sweat or water getting in the way of beautiful brows. They will need a week to heal initially and then you have to go in for a touch-up four to six weeks after. So the whole process calls for (you guessed it) planning ahead. Do your research before you get microblading. You want to make sure you go to someone who has a good reputation and does work that looks natural.
When: 2 Months Out
TEETH: Time To Go To The Dentist
No one ever enjoys a visit to the dentist, but now is the time to head back in for a cleaning and X-rays. A gorgeous smile starts with healthy gums and teeth. You can also use this time to talk to your dentist about teeth whitening or investing in braces or clear aligners. If a crooked smile has you down, the wedding might be a good excuse to pony up for Invisalign and finally achieve a perfectly straight smile.
When: 1 Year To 6 Months Out
TEETH: Use Straws To Drink Red Wine And Coffee
You might love Merlot, but Merlot doesn’t love your pearly whites. If you want white teeth for your wedding, you have to give up red wine. Because it’s a liquid, it seeps into your enamel and darkens your teeth in a way that, even if you get them cleaned, they’re not going to get lighter. You’ll have to get them bleached. And if you’re a wine addict, you need to drink it through a straw, as ridiculous as that sounds. If you get them whitened, then use a straw when drinking coffee, too.
When: 6 Months Out, Or After Your First In-Office Bleaching
TEETH: Invest In Tooth Whitening
If you want to amp up your smile, consider splurging on professional grade tooth whitening. These days a whitening treatment can be done in-office in under 1 hour and comes with convenient take-home whitening trays, depending on the level of stains. You can easily whiten your teeth four to six shades and results last for up to a year.
When: 1 Month Out
TEETH: Schedule A Cleaning Before The Big Day
Unlike red wine, which gives your teeth a nice little bath of hard-to-dislodge color, most food and drink stains fall into the surface category and are easily scrubbed-off in an appointment with your hygienist. Be it berries, coffee, or marinara sauce, anything that will stain a white blouse will stain your teeth. It’s wise to follow up that first dentist appointment with another follow-up cleaning a few weeks out for a truly flawless smile.
When: 2 Weeks Out
NAILS: Oil Up Your Nails Every Day
The best thing you can do for your nails is to keep them hydrated. When they dry out they become brittle, leading to chips and cracks. Keep nails flexible and strong by using an oil on your cuticles nightly before bed. Get into the habit of applying oil on each nail before bed every night to ensure beautiful ring-selfie hands year-round.
When: 1 Year Out
NAILS: Don’t Forget Your Hands
Nails are important, but so are your hands. Using a gentle scrub weekly and following it up with a generous amount of lotion and cuticle oil. Apply sunscreen to the back of each hand to protect [the] skin.
When: 1 Year Out
NAILS: Invest In Regular Manicures
Treat yourself to a professional manicure every few weeks leading up to your wedding to ensure your hands and nails are in tip-top shape. Getting a regular manicure is a good way to care for cuticles, nourish nails, and relax your mind, glowing hands and a little bit of zen time? You don’t have to ask us twice.
When: 3 Months Out
NAILS: Go For Neutrals
As much as we love nail art, save it for the bachelorette party and the honeymoon. You don’t want anything taking away from your natural beauty on your wedding day. You can still have fun, but keep it neutral for the best look. Like the red carpet, we believe wedding nails should be timeless, classic, and elegant. That doesn’t mean brides can’t have a little personal style. But keep the art simple and the colors tonal. Nails should be the perfect accessories to complete your look, not compete with it.
When: 2 To 3 Days Out
HEALTH: Sleep Is Everything
Sleep is important for so many reasons. We produce the highest amounts of natural HGH (human growth hormone) while we sleep, which is responsible for regenerating and creating new cells of all our body tissues – skin, muscle, hair. When we sleep, it’s the only time our brain can repair and reorganize. And the relaxed breathing state during sleep reduces stress by calming our central nervous system. Less stress means lowered production of cortisol, the fight or flight hormone that tells our bodies to hang onto every ounce of fat it can for survival. Dozing off just reading all this science-speak? Perfect.
When: 1 Year Out
HEALTH: Stick To Healthy Eating Habits
You might think you’re getting a jump-start on wedding weight loss if you drastically cut calories and follow every cleanse you see on Instagram. In reality, you’re setting yourself up for trouble, the extra-pounds kind of trouble. We’ve seen these deprivation crash diets backfire time and time again. Because you’re basically starving yourself, you’re going to break down and binge, regaining the weight you lost and feeling bad about yourself. Not to mention how cranky and miserable you’ll be in this highly social period of your life. To stay sane – and svelte – aim to have a healthy (sugar-free) meal or snack every three to four hours.
When: 1 Year Out
HEALTH: Plan Your Meals And Workouts
If you’re lucky enough to have a trainer on the wedding payroll alongside the planner, caterer, and florist, it can be easy to slack off between appointments on the days you’re not training together. Here’s an idea: Crack your own whip, by designing a solid game plan – exercise and diet – for your “off” days. Taking ownership can be very empowering, and improved self-esteem can go a long way when planning a wedding. Another reason to flex your self-discipline muscles? You’ll build habits that last through your honeymoon and beyond.
When: 9 Months Out
HEALTH: Tone Up Your Upper Body
Whether your dress is backless or strapless, you want every photo you take to be flattering, which is why upper-body strength training should be incorporated into your workouts leading up to your wedding. Working out your upper back and chest is not just muscle-defining, but it will help your posture.
When: 6 Months Out
HEALTH: Limit Your Sugar Intake
Is it easy? No, especially if you’ve got a major sweet tooth. But the list of beauty goodies – not to mention the positive mental state – from kicking it to the curb is virtually endless. For brides-to-be, removing sugar will help them lose weight and keep skin clear, plump, and fresh-looking, two things they’re looking for when prepping for this big event. And even more important, for anyone coping with guest lists, seating charts, and in-laws, limiting sugar intake can help control stress levels and keep you more even-keeled and clear-minded.
When: 3 To 6 Months Out
HEALTH: Lay Off The Booze (Until Your Big Day, That Is)
Hopefully, you’re already slashing your sugar intake to virtually nil. Now it’s time to boot liquor, too. By banning booze, you’ll debloat and look even more fab in that gown. But more important than how much you’re losing is where you’ll be losing it from: your midsection. The top areas for sugar and alcohol storage on our bodies is in right around our hips and lower belly. Alcohol metabolizes as estrogen, and estrogen loves making a home for itself in our lower abdominal area.
When: 1 Months Out
originally posted on brides.com by Dana Wood and Adrianna Barrionuevo
