How to Give Your Skin the Best Chance at Glowing On Your Wedding Day: The Ultimate Pre Wedding Skincare Regime
Your wedding day is undoubtedly one of the most important and most anticipated days of your life, so we want to get you ‘skin ready’ for this. As a makeup artist, it is amazing what enhancements we can make to your face, but we are not magicians - we work with your natural skin on the day.
YOUR PRE WEDDING SKINCARE ROUTINE FOR HEALTHY, DEWY SKIN
IN THIS BLOG, I’LL GUIDE YOU THROUGH MY BEST PRE-WEDDING SKINCARE ROUTINE TO ENSURE YOUR SKIN IS AT ITS ABSOLUTE BEST ON YOUR SPECIAL DAY.Makeup cannot mask texture, (and texture is a normal thing), but we can help you prepare your skin to look its best on the day. If you’re concerned about your skin looking ‘totally flawless’ then you need to put some work in too. While we can use holy grail products like Charlotte Tilbury’s much loved Hollywood Flawless Filter, to achieve a dazzling glow, and the best fine milled powders to help blur, achieving that perfect and most natural bridal glow requires a thoughtful and consistent pre-wedding skincare regime.
01/ Start Early:
“start your pre-wedding skincare routine six months before the big day”
Good things take time, and achieving flawless skin is no exception. Ideally, start your pre-wedding skincare routine six months before the big day. This allows ample time for your skin to adjust to the products and show visible improvements. And also allows you to get into the new habit of taking the best care of your skin if to date you’ve taken it a little bit for granted.
02/ Cleanse and Exfoliate:
A proper skincare routine always begins simply: cleansing appropriately. Far too many of my clients admit to using makeup wipes as a way to cleanse their skin at the end of the day - which is an absolute glow killer. Makeup wipes contain alcohol, which strips and drys your skin, and repeated use means dry/rough/bumpy skin. As much as we think we love that ‘clean feeling’ - the squeaky clean feeling is actually your skin being stripped.
“Far too many of my clients admit to using makeup wipes as a way to cleanse their skin at the end of the day - which is an absolute glow killer”
Instead, use a gentle cleanser suited for your skin type to remove any impurities, bacteria, and makeup. Cleansing twice means that this is done properly. Usually the more expensive products contain the best ingredients, and are prepared in such a way to combat skin stripping or other nasty side effects.
If you are happy to prioritise your skin in your wedding budget, I recommend either my favourite budget-friendly brands: CeraVe and La Roche Posay, or these delicious and more boujee brands: ZO Skin Health, Oskia, Kate Somerville, and Medik8.
Follow up with a mild exfoliator 1-2 times a week (max) to slough off dead skin cells, promoting cell turnover and a smoother complexion. Regularly and gently exfoliated skin is the best preparation for wedding makeup. Base products will cling to patches of dry skin, so make sure that it has been gently buffed off ahead of your trial and wedding day.
Go gently if you are using retinol in the months before your wedding: when used correctly it is amazing for anti-aging and skin texture, but only use it at night and ensure you use an SPF the following day because retinol can increase sun damage.
I recommend not using retinol in the week/ten days before your wedding so that any sensitive or dry skin has calmed down before your big day.
03/ Hydration is Key:
Well-hydrated skin is the foundation of a radiant complexion. Invest in a high-quality moisturiser that suits your skin type and use it consistently. In winter, for dry skin types it is important to use an emollient rich moisturiser, so that moisture cannot escape easily from your skin - if you have an oily skin type, use something more lightweight and don’t strip your skin from added hydration - this could be why your skin is oily in the first place.
Pay attention also to the delicate skin around your eyes – opt for an eye cream to combat puffiness and dark circles.
04/ Treat Your Skin Concerns but don’t overcomplicate them:
Educate yourself on the ingredients you’re using, why you’re using them and learn about how to keep your skin barrier safe. As a makeup artist, I see all too often clients using too many active ingredients for their skin, or using cheaper- drugstore alternatives that are marketed well, but are all contributing to their sensitised, upset skin.
I always tell my friends to google the ingredients in the targeting product, before using, to understand what it is actually doing, and to introduce slowly (2 days on, 2 days off).
“I see all too often clients using too many active ingredients for their skin, or using cheaper- drugstore alternatives that are marketed well, but are all contributing to their sensitised, upset skin”
Whether it's acne, pigmentation, or fine lines, consult with a dermatologist or skin specialist to tailor a plan that caters to your individual needs. They will be able to offer the most suitable products for your skin, without suggesting things that will ‘do too much’. Address specific skin concerns with targeted treatments.
Consider including serums and treatments such as Vitamin C for brightening or hyaluronic acid for hydration, or Niacinamide for texture, pores, acne scarring. My favourite vitamin C serums and products are from Kate Somerville, Medik8 or Oskia and my absolute top acne scar healing product is Kate Somerville’s Blemish Mark Fading Gel. The herby-smelling serum isn’t cheap but it is the best!
05/ Suncream is a Must:
Protect your skin from harmful UV rays by incorporating a broad-spectrum suncream into your daily routine. This step is crucial in preventing sun damage, premature ageing, and maintaining an even skin tone.
Try to be conscious especially if you are having a summer wedding. A sunburnt nose will always poke through makeup. (It is very hard to cover up sun-burn on your wedding day)
My favourite suncreams are from HelioCare, I love their oil-free face cream.
06/ Regular Professional Facials:
Treat yourself to a pre-wedding facial routine, to pamper and revitalise your skin. Professional facials can help address stubborn issues (and educate you properly on concerns you didn’t know much about), promote circulation, and provide a relaxing break from any wedding planning.
My best advice would be researching a quality skincare clinic in your area, so you receive the best advice, tailored to you. My suggested pre-wedding facials would be hydra-facials. My favourite skincare clinic in Oxfordshire is The Chiltern Medical Clinic, located in Goring and Reading.
07/ Healthy Lifestyle Choices:
Remember, skincare is not only about what you apply but also about your lifestyle choices.
“stress releases cortisol - essentially a toxin for our body, that can wreak havoc on our skin”
Keep hydrated: if this is a struggle for you, carry a water bottle with you to encourage regular drinking.
Maintain a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, get adequate sleep, and manage stress.
Managing stress is easier said than done, but stress releases cortisol - essentially a toxin for our body, that can wreak havoc on our skin. If your wedding planning is becoming too stressful, try to unload some of this, discuss things with your family and friends and ask yourself if you are sweating the small stuff? Re-center and remember what matters the most about your wedding day. These factors play a significant role in the overall health of your skin.
08/ Adequate Sleep:
Ensure you get enough rest in the months leading up to your wedding. Lack of sleep can contribute to dark circles, dull skin, and fine lines. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night to wake up with refreshed and rejuvenated skin. (I struggle with this personally, and a book on tape/pillow spray has helped hugely).
In the week leading up to your wedding, if commitments allow, try to book the time off - so that you can catch up on any sleep missed because you’re trying to juggle too much.
IN CONCLUSION:Your wedding day is a celebration of love and commitment, and your radiant skin should reflect the joy within.
By following this pre-wedding skincare regime, and getting to know your skin more before your wedding day, you'll be well on your way to achieving a flawless complexion that will leave you feeling confident and beautiful as you say "I do."
Start early, be consistent, and enjoy the journey to unveiling your most radiant self on your special day.
LOVEAnna x
ANNA JONES BRIDAL - HOMe
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