The Ultimate Pre-Wedding Beauty Regimen
Now that you've made it through the fun part of your engagement (admit it: you loved snapping all those ring selfies), it's finally time to get into the nitty-gritty of looking fantastic on your wedding day. We're talking about creating your pre-wedding beauty regimen, of course, and there's no better time than now to identify a routine that will help you feel and look your best on the big day. Luckily, building this regimen is way more fun than deciding where your feuding cousins should sit at the reception, and it's also a great way to practice some self-care as the bride or groom. What's more, each step will aid you in perfecting your wedding-day look, from softening your skin to strengthening your hair and ensuring your makeup lasts all night long.
FACE
1 YEAR OUT
Decide If Retinol Is Right for You
Derived from vitamin A, retinol increases cell turnover, unclogs pores, boosts collagen, and helps diminish hyperpigmentation.1 The prescription version, also known as retinoid, is even more powerful. Still, as great as these products are, both retinol and retinoids can cause redness and peeling at the outset and may even lead to a possible uptick in acne before all those benefits kick in. "I recommend patients start with a nonprescription retinol for at least four to eight weeks before progressing to a prescription retinoid," says Engelman. "Their skin will tolerate it better."
Pay Attention to Your Décolletage
Not only is it a notorious sun magnet, but the décolletage is also prone to wrinkling for another reason, says Beverly Hills dermatologist Harold Lancer, MD: tissue-thin skin. "The skin of the neck and chest has a very different structure than that of the face and body," he says. "The décolletage is an area with significantly less 'fat padding' and is generally more delicate than facial skin." Translation: You might need to put some extra effort in there. Start with an over-the-counter retinol product, and move on to a prescription if your dermatologist deems it necessary.
9 MONTHS OUT
Visit an Aesthetician for Refular Facials
Find a reputable aesthetician in your area to help keep your skin in tip-top shape. In your initial chat with a prospective aesthetician, make sure you address your goals and needs, and don't be afraid to speak up about what you need. "Look for someone who's a good listener," says New York City facialist Joanna Vargas. "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, though, since flare-ups post-facials are likely.
5 MONTHS OUT
Exfoliate and Follow Up with Brightening Serum
As dead cells accumulate on the skin, they interfere with light reflection, giving it a dull appearance, explains New York City-based dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD. 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," he explains. "I recommend exfoliating once per week initially, and advancing to twice per week after a month or so if you can tolerate it."
For men, Shama Patel, CEO of Clean Your Dirty Face, shares that multi-use products that exfoliate, brighten, and hydrate the skin are something to consider if you're new to the skincare world or if you're looking to save some time while doing your beauty prep. "Chemical exfoliating cleansers that have natural enzymes like lemon peel and pumpkin are great exfoliants," shares Patel. "Moisturizers with hemp seed, blue chamomile, and lavender are also great because they help calm shaving irritation and hydrate the skin that is visibly noticeable. Our Hey Handsome Face Oil has all three ingredients—hemp seed, blue chamomile, and lavender."
The best moisturizer is this one.
3 MONTHS OUT
Skip the Wine and Start Juicing
Since vino is a world-class dehydrator, capillary breaker, and radiance robber, downing endless glasses of wine is one of the biggest crimes against anyone's complexion, says Vargas. If it's too hard to part ways with your wine, however, try to 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," Vargas adds. "One a day is great."
BODY
1 YEAR OUT
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 parts of your body is the last thing on your mind. Depending on where you go, sessions can range from $200 to $350, and "planning should be done nine to 12 months before the wedding, as it typically takes six sessions, spaced six weeks apart, to see permanent results," says Christian Karavalos, owner of Romeo & Juliette Laser Hair Removal Spa in New York City.
Nourish your Skin Starting in the Shower
"Most [people] don’t realize that your skincare routine truly starts in the shower and that using a gentle cleanser is key," explains dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD. "I recommend Dove Body Wash, which is sulfate-free, made with 100-percent gentle cleansers, and provides softer, smoother skin after just one shower." Specifically, she suggests gently patting your skin dry instead of rubbing and applying lotion within minutes of getting out of the shower to lock in moisture before it evaporates.
Use a Humidifier to Keep Skin Happy and Healthy
Keratosis pilaris (KP) is caused by excess keratin, which then forms a plug at the site of a hair follicle. "Unfortunately, we don't know what triggers the buildup of keratin," says Engelman, who notes that 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, you guessed it, stress. While there's no cure for KP, Engelman says you can treat the symptoms by exfoliating with a product like DermaDoctor KP Duty Scrub to unplug the trapped keratin and dead skin cells that cause the bumps. "Introducing moisture to the air via a humidifier can also help."
6 MONTHS
Get into Dry Brushing
Clocking in at under $20, a body brush might be one of the best beauty investments you make. According to Engelman, 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," Engelman shares. "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. "I love to do it before the shower," says Engelman, "and then hydrate with body oils before toweling off."
Consider a Spray Tan
Skin expert Sophie Evans recommends getting a trial spray tan before your final fittings to figure out if you want to look a bit tan before the big day. "A week before the big day, start exfoliating your skin in preparation for your spray tan." Pricing can range anywhere from $50 in a salon to $250 for house calls.
When: At a time during your fitting and then two days before your wedding
HAIR
6 MONTHS OUT
Shampoo Less
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 any favors. "Overshampooing lifts, dulls, and fades hair color," says Dorram. "I always suggest shampooing no more than three to four times a week. The best is to rinse hair and use a mild detangler in between shampoos."
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 do it yourself by slathering wet hair with your mega-hydrating hair mask of choice. For home use, hairstylist Jae, owner of Hassadity Hair by Jae, suggests SheaMoisture Intensive Hydration Hair Masque. "It has Manuka Honey and Mafura Oil in it which is great for all hair types, especially if your hair is dry and needs lots of moisture. It’ll leave your hair feeling fluffy and moisturized without weighing it down. The best part is, it doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals that are hazardous to you or the environment!"
Give Hair Extentions a Try
When selecting extensions, or even a wig, Jae advises brides to start their research early, so that they're able to find the best styles well ahead of their hair trials. "Narrow down your styles and consult with a beauty professional before buying anything," Jae adds. "Your stylist will help you make the right decisions as far as texture, origin, color, density, etc. when buying a wig or hair extensions. Certain styles require a certain grade of hair in order to achieve the desired look. The last thing you want to do is purchase the wrong hair extensions and not be able to achieve the perfect look for your special day."
When: 2 months for consultations; the week of your wedding for installations
NAILS
6 MONTHS OUT
Stay Hydrated
Nail artist Tom Bachik says 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," he says. "Keep nails flexible and strong by using an oil on your cuticles nightly before bed." Simply put, get into the habit of applying oil every night to ensure beautiful ring-selfie hands year-round.
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," says Lin.
Don’t Forget your Hands
Nails are important, but so are your hands. Amy Lin, founder of Sundays Nail Studio in New York City, recommends 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," she adds.
BROWS
1 YEAR OUT
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," says Jared Bailey, Benefit Cosmetics global brow expert. "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."
4 MONTHS OUT
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," says Bailey. "You need to look for quality products to prevent things like a makeup meltdown or flaky gels." He also shares that 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. Bailey's tip when color-matching your brow arsenal: "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."
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 washing them away. "They will need a week to heal initially and then you have to go in for a touch-up four to six weeks after," says Eyebrow Doctor founder Piret Aava. So the whole process calls for (you guessed it) planning ahead. "Do your research before you get microblading," advises Aava. "You want to make sure you go to someone who has a good reputation and does work that looks natural."