With the peak of wedding season just a couple months away, it is a great time to focus on the best practices to prep your hair and skin for your big day! What I'm talking about here goes a bit deeper than simply selecting an upstyle and making sure that your favorite makeup inspo on Pinterest matches your flowers. What we're focusing on is more of the behind-the-scenes stuff; how to build the best possible foundation to achieve the flawless look you desire on your wedding day.
I along with Tilly (who is a makeup artist and esthetician on my team) have worked together to create a timeline for you including all of our best advice.
Before we begin I must mention that the information shared below is our best general recommendations based upon our experience in the Beauty Industry. We recognize that each woman and situation is unique and advise you to seek your own consultation and research before introducing anything new into your routine.
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First, Let's Talk about Skin!
6-3 Months Before the Wedding
This is your best zone for experimentation. If you haven’t used fillers before, you’ll want to test your reactions sooner rather than later. Most fillers last two to three months, so if you’re not happy with the results, there’s still time for them to dissolve before your wedding day. While we are by no means saying that every Bride needs fillers, timing is a common question we are asked so we wanted to address it here!
If you’re planning to have any medical-grade facials, such as a chemical peel or microdermabrasion, six months out is a good time to start. These procedures yield the best results when done in a series of four to six treatments.
You’ll also want to have a monthly facial leading up to your wedding. I find the skin looks the best for up to three days after a facial. So by scheduling your final treatment for the week of your wedding, you’ll have the glowing skin of your dreams!
3-1 Months Before the Wedding
During this phase, planning is key. Work with to your esthetician to make sure that your next few appointments line up to fall near your wedding day. For instance, if you get your bikini wax every 4 weeks, but your wedding is 10 weeks away, you’ll want to stretch out the time between those last few appointments so you have a fresh wax (with a few buffer days) before the honeymoon.
Your trial run will take place 2-3 months before the wedding.
Last Weeks Before the Wedding
If you plan to do a traditional tanning bed before your wedding, schedule a test run at least four weeks prior. This will give you an idea of what intensity you can expect, because at this point, you won’t want any surprises.
Should you opt for a spray tan, I recommend the airbrush method. This delivers an even look with less blotchiness and missed spots. A seasoned technician can even contour your body in all the right places. Just be sure to get your waxing done before your spray tan. The wax will remove the tan solution from your skin, which can leave you with farmer’s tan. Yikes!
Last Few Days Before the Wedding
In your final pre-wedding stretch, focus on getting as much sleep as possible. Build in time to unwind, whether it’s a massage or meditation.
Hydration is also key. Increase your water intake and find a hydrating masque for the night before your wedding. Under-eye patches are another great way to combat tired eyes in case you and your bridal party can’t get to sleep the night before. I put them on all my brides while they get their hair done, and by the time they’re ready for makeup, they look refreshed and well rested.
Ultimately, your skin will have a natural internal glow that your guests will assume comes from your overwhelming joy on this most special of days.
Now Lets Talk About Hair!
6-3 Months Before the Wedding
This is the time frame when you want to have an approximate idea of what your wedding day hair will look like. Your hair stylist can help you to narrow down your options, and then advise if an adjustment in your hair cut or color is needed. There are many styles that will look their best with some added highlights, a gloss, or subtle layers. It is best to try anything new in this period so that it can be perfected in time.
Select your veil and any hair accessories you would like to use. Sometimes these items need to be ordered so allowing a little extra time never hurts.
Work a deep conditioning treatment into your routine once a week and ask your stylist to use Olaplex when you have hair color services. We want to make sure that your hair looks and feels it's healthiest.
Eat a well-balanced diet with lots of vegetables and drink plenty of water. I am personally a big fan of using a Biotin supplement once a day to improve the strength of my hair (and nails).
3-1 Months Before the Wedding
Your trial run will happen 2-3 months before the Wedding and you will be able to see exactly how your hair cut and color work into your desired style. You can then make a final haircut/color appointment for the last month.
The Day Before the Wedding
Shampoo your hair the day before or the morning of your wedding. Be sure to NOT use a deep conditioner, since these can weigh down the hair and prevent your style from holding well.
Meet the Artists Contributing to this Post
Tilly (pictured left) has over 12 years of experience as an esthetician and makeup artist, and she regularly advises future brides on how to face their big day with confidence.
Ann (pictured right) in addition to styling hair, enjoys coordinating all Wedding Day Beauty Services for her Brides. She considers herself to be quite organized, and believes that with proper planning you will be able to present the best version of yourself at your Wedding.