Your wedding day is one of the most memorable days of your life, and you want to look and feel your absolute best! A crucial part of that is having healthy, radiant skin. A proper skin care routine is essential for achieving that picture-perfect bridal glow, and it's important to start well in advance of your big day! (PS: It's never too soon to start focusing on your skin!)
We're not here to tell you what products or brands to buy, as those should be recommended by your licensed esthetician or dermatologist, but we will tell you what we've learned in our almost 20 years of working in the aesthetics industry.
When Should I Meet With an Esthetician or Dermatologist?
If you have specific skin concerns, such as acne or dryness, it is never too soon to meet with a licensed esthetician or dermatologist. We recommend setting up a consultation with a licensed esthetician or dermatologist at least 12 months before your wedding. This time frame will allow you to create a personalized game plan to address these concerns and make progress in improving your skin's condition. On the other hand, if you just want to maintain your existing healthy skin, you may only need 3-6 months lead time to meet with an esthetician or dermatologist and create a plan that is similar to your current routine to ensure optimal results.
Wedding Skin Care Maintenance: How to Hydrate Your Skin
Beautiful skin on your wedding day is a top priority for every bride-to-be. While it may seem daunting to develop a comprehensive skin care routine, achieving a glowing complexion is easily achievable with two simple steps - moisturizing and hydrating your skin. Dry skin is the most significant enemy of a seamless makeup application. Therefore, at the bare minimum, it's essential to hydrate your skin with a moisturizer after both morning and night face washes, including the neck and decolletage area! Proper hydration keeps your skin happy, which will undoubtedly translate to a radiant makeup application on your wedding day. (Don't worry, your Updos For I Dos makeup artist will handle hydrating and moisturizing your skin on your wedding day!) Additionally, well-hydrated skin ensures that even the most substantial of foundations do not crack, offering a flawless finish all day. So, incorporate moisturizing into your daily routine, and you'll be on your way to picture-perfect skin!
Pair moisturizing with drinking plenty of water to hydrate yourself from the inside out. Consuming enough water has numerous health benefits, including brighter and clearer skin. It also reduces puffiness and tightens your skin, leading to a healthier and more vibrant appearance! You can never start focusing on hydration too soon; we recommend keeping a large water bottle or tumbler full and on hand at all times! Your skin will surely thank you for establishing a hydration routine, and so will your makeup artist!
The Do's and Don'ts of Pre-Wedding Skin Care
Here are some do's and don'ts to keep in mind when preparing your pre-wedding skin care routine.
Do - schedule regular appointments with a licensed esthetician leading up to your wedding day to ensure you're taking proper care of your skin!
Don't - attempt extractions on your face by yourself as this could cause scarring - let the pros handle it!
Do - treat yourself to regular professional skin care appointments. Treating your skin is a form of self-care, which can positively affect brides' mental and physical well-being!
Don't - try any new products or procedures less than a month ahead of your wedding as you don't want to risk a negative reaction that could take time to heal!
Do - drink LOTS of water! You truly cannot over-do your water intake.
Don't - drink excessive amounts of alcohol, especially leading up to your wedding day! Alcohol is dehydrating and can actually make your skin appear dull, gray, and puffy.
Establishing a Pre-Wedding Skin Care Routines is Key for Brides
Having a pre-wedding skin care routine is essential to ensure you look and feel your best on your special day. Our team of expert makeup artists at Updos for I Dos encourage all brides to start practicing proper skin care techniques as soon as possible! (Side note: when you're ready to say, "YES," to your dream on-site wedding hair and makeup team, inquire with us here!)
A tailored skin care routine is invaluable, especially when it comes from a licensed esthetician or dermatologist. When done correctly, proper moisturization, hydration, and regular skin care treatments can create a glowing and healthy complexion, leaving you feeling confident, radiant, and ready to take on your wedding day!