Ask the Expert – How to get that Bridal Glow for the big day!
All brides want that natural glow the day of their wedding, we want the makeup to look flawless and to feel a million dollars. But how do we achieve this?
A few key factors to consider when it comes to getting your skin to where you want it to be on the big day:
• Homecare
• In-salon treatments
• Diet and
• Lifestyle
I would recommend starting your skin journey as soon as you get engaged. The more time you have to achieve your desired results the better so aim for 6-12 months before the big day. A healthy skin cycle happens every 28 days, so we need to have as many skin cycles as possible to get our skin where it needs to be.
The first thing to do is book a skin consultation with an experienced skin specialist. They will help you put a plan in place for homecare and in salon treatments.
Homecare: depending on your skin type and skin concerns a few ingredients to aim for in your routine would be retinols, AHA’s, vitamin C, and hyaluronic. Your homecare is responsible for 80% of your skins health so homecare is key. It doesn’t have to be fussy or time consuming but its pointless having in salon treatments without a decent homecare routine.
In-salon treatments: Treatments such as facials, peels, IPL, microneedling are all excellent for bringing your skin to the next level but some are time sensitive so its important to have a plan in place.
1. IPL (Intense pulse light)
If you suffer with broken capillaries, acne scars, pigmentation or you just want to brighten and rejuvenate the skin this treatment has amazing fast results. IPL requires 4-6 sessions and is not advised if you have a natural tan so aim for autumn winter for this.
2. Microneedling
This is a favourite of mine. Its fantastic for stimulating collagen production, diminishing the appearance of acne scars, and wrinkles. It will smooth out rough texture and reduces superficial pigmentation. This is a treatment you would need to start months in advance of the wedding. We would often recommend 4-6 sessions. (1 session a month)
3. Chemical Peels
Peels are excellent to help to improve the texture of the skin, improve skin tone, improve hydration, balance oil production, reduce pigmentation, helps control break outs and just helps bring the skin into a healthier state. A bride could do a peel as close as 2 weeks before the wedding depending on homecare and previous salon treatments. I would generally recommend a course of peels. 1 every 2 weeks for 6-8 weeks.
4. Facials
A facial could be preformed a week before the wedding to brighten and hydrate the skin for the big day. Then 2/3 days before the wedding I would recommend a light exfoliation with AHA’s to suit your skin type and skin concern. I would also urge brides to use hyaluronic the day before and the day of the wedding to help hydrate and plump the skin.
Diet and Lifestyle
Drink plenty of water and have as balanced a diet as you can.
Try to avoid sugar in your diet as much as possible. Sugar will cause inflammation from within so if you are prone to acne, rosacea, psoriasis, eczema, or any other inflammatory skin condition, sugar can be a massive trigger, so look out for those hidden sugars.
Stay out of the sun!!! especially coming up to the wedding, you don’t want to be sunburnt or peeling on the day of the wedding.
Get your beauty sleep!
What NOT to do coming up to the wedding!!!!!!!
I would strongly advice to avoid introducing active ingredients 4-6 weeks before the wedding.
Don’t start using any new products in the weeks leading up to the wedding.
And finally enjoy and have fun. For any brides getting married this year it hasn’t been the easiest I’m sure, so be kind to yourselves and enjoy the big day
