Get glowing skin for your wedding
Photo: Modern Vintage Weddings, UK.
How to prep your skin like a pro
Every bride over the last decade I have worked in weddings has always wanted glowing skin. So I expect my 2022 brides to be no exception! The way your skin looks and feels can have a major impact on how you feel. Having a professional makeup artist for the wedding day is super important - they know how to make you look good in photos and real life - but the journey to great skin starts much earlier.
So for 2022 summer brides, now is the time to start working on your skin!
I’ve put together 7 steps to glowing skin for brides. There is no truly one size fits all so I intend this list to be more of a pick & mix than following every step religiously. Pick what suits you! Also please note that I am not a dermatologist, though I do suggest you see one if you have any issues.
1. Start early, 9-12 months in advance is great
Get into a good AM and PM routine now. You can’t ignore your skin for most of the week and then hope a sheet mask on a Sunday afternoon will fix everything. So when you have booked your wedding date, start your skin regime as well. It takes time for your skin to change. Any product that promises quick fixes is not worth your time or money. Just like so many other things in life, your skin likes consistency.
2. Find your baseline - with or without a dermatologist
Everyones skin can get back to a neutral, happy place. It’s only after that that you can start working on your glow! Booking in to see a dermatologist if you have issues such as acne should be done asap. Do your research locally and really choose the best you can afford.
If you decide to get your skin to its very best without a dermatologist and your skin is fairly normal, a vitamin C serum in the AM and retinol in the PM is a great route to glowing skin. I would however stop using retinol a week or two before the wedding and concentrate on hydrating instead fully. You will need to use a great SPF as well. Again, every skin is individual but here’s a few products I love:
3. Pay attention to nutrition, water and sleep
I know this is painful but sugar - sugar, oh that lovely amazing sugar - is an enemy of beautiful skin. As is caffeine and alcohol so choose your vices carefully. I’m not saying cut everything out but for me personally, switching to dark chocolate (also non dairy) and avoiding alcohol for the most part works wonders as I am reluctant to give up my morning caffeine kick ; )!
Sleep is so important for beautiful skin. Thats when the skin regenerates and all the beautiful products you use in the evening have a chance to do their magic. 7h at least if you can!
4. Consider lasers or peels
Peels gently loosen connections between dead skin cells and thus they encourage exfoliation. Pores feel tighter, wrinkles seem smaller, the list is endless. Peels can be done professionally or to a lesser degree at home. My favourite at home treatment is the Dr Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peeling pads. There are different strengths but the website has a quiz on what’s appropriate for you:
If you have pigmentation, melasma, or acne scarring a laser treatment can work wonders. Please research locally and only go for the very best, it’s your skin, it’s so very worth it. Also please opt for a consultation and really listen to the advice and ask to see before and after photos.
5. Consider a HydraFacial
HydraFacials have become probably the most common facials my brides are having. A hydrafacial is one of the most powerful, non-invasive skin resurfacing treatments available. It combines cleansing, exfoliation, extraction, hydration and antioxidant protection that removes dead skin cells and impurities, while simultaneously delivering moisturizing serums into the skin. In general it’s well tolerated and suits most skin types. Check out their website for local aestheticians:
6. If you are doing botox or fillers, do a trial run
It’s tempting to try botox or fillers for the first time before your big day. I’m here to tell you don’t, do a trial run well in advance!
I have seen all sorts of problems with last minute botox gone wrong - bruising being the biggest issue. There is no denying that botox can really make a huge difference to wrinkles but this is something that I suggest a bride tries at the very lest 6 months in advance so if you don’t like the effects, they would have well and truly worn off by the wedding day. If you have a top up before the wedding, please make sure its about 3 weeks before the big day.
Fillers used well and sparingly can also have a fabulous impact on the way you look and feel. The wonderful thing about fillers is that if you are not happy, they can be dissolved - unlike botox. Again, do your research very well and start small!
7. The last two weeks before your wedding
No more trying out new products! Stick to what you know and love at this point. The extra stress near the wedding will possibly cause skin issues at the last moment but resist the temptation to try and grab something you haven’t tried before. Trust that your makeup artist will be able to cover a last minute pimple!
Use a hydrating mask the night before and prep with some under eye gel patches the morning of and then sit back and let your makeup artist worry about the rest - your job is done here, just enjoy your day!
My favourite skin hydrating mask is by Dr Barbara Strum:
My favourite under eye patches not only moisturise with hyaluronic acid but all very importantly, de-puffs:
…and most of all, remember to enjoy & have fun with your skincare. Happiness shows on your skin too!
Lots of love, Sanni xx