The Big Day Glow
Wondering how to get that beautiful glow on your wedding day? If you really want to get your skin in top form, you'll need to start a smart skincare routine about a year in advance. It's okay if you don't have that long before the wedding day -- just adopt these good skincare habits as soon as possible. Here are some skincare tips that will change your big day AND your life!
1. Schedule Professional Facials Your wedding is the perfect excuse for some extra pampering. You'll want to book monthly facials to really refresh your skin. Experienced aestheticians will massage your skin, scalp, and décolletage to stimulate blood circulation and keep your skin looking pink, not sallow. You can also request extractions. This is when your facialist gets all the dirt out of your pores. The process takes preparation and special techniques that, if done at home, can lead to irritation or, worse, scarring. *Side note* If you have deep wrinkles, severely dry skin, scar tissue such as old acne marks, etc., you should consider a course of micro-dermabrasion or, alternatively, an acid peel.
2. Eat More Watermelon No matter your skin type- oily, dry, normal, or combo- it craves water. Sure, drinking water helps, but snacking on watermelon works too. Other super foods for your face: grapefruit, broccoli, and lettuce, and you’ll sure have the “baby feel” like skin!
3. Skin Care Routine A proper skincare treatment is essential because your pores are still open to the environment. These steps will close the pores of ingredients and nasty stuff, including pollutants, bacteria, environmental harshnesses, and more. Get a facial within 5 days of your wedding. This is also an essential step in the moisturizing process. Restoring the skin's natural moisture will slow the aging process, help with sensitivity, and keep your face feeling and looking better.
*Bubbles and foam are bad! They destroy the skin's delicate lipid barrier and ruin its natural moisture process. Instead, if a cleanser does what it should, it will pull impurities out of your skin, open up the pores, and clean the dead skin, dirt, and bacteria from your face.
*Use a skin-specific moisturizer - For oily skin: You don't want to add much more moisture and want to hydrate. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic or ferulic acid, which help your skin maintain water. - For dry skin: Stick with hyaluronic or ferulic acid, but don't worry about finding an oil-free formula. Your skin craves moisture. - For breakout-prone skin: Choose a non-comedogenic moisturizer. It should say so on the bottle. - For sensitive skin: Your go-to is a fragrance-free product. *Toner - is it necessary? Unquestionably YES! The toner is the one thing missing from your skincare routine that could make all the difference. Here’s why: - Toner balances the skin’s PH, which may be disrupted during cleansing. - It also preps the skin for moisturizers, serum, and other treatments. - Toner helps remove residual dirt, makeup, oil, and other impurities. - Specific toners address skin concerns, including sensitivity, acne, discolorations, and anti-aging. *DON'T use cotton balls to apply your toner because you waste product - use GAUZE pads! *SPF - Sun protection is the most important way to keep your skin young and healthy. Dull, rough skin, and uneven skin tone -- are related to chronic sun exposure. - Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB rays with an SPF of 30 or higher, even on cloudy days. - Wear SPF 30 on Your Lips. It’s easier to prevent your lips from getting chapped than it is to repair them if they're already dry and cracked. If you spend lots of time outdoors, especially in windy, sunny, or cold weather, a thick balm with SPF 30 will keep your lips hydrated.
4. Avoid Excessive Alcohol and Salt Both are culprits that cause significant water retention. Ban the bloat by opting for fresh herbs to flavor foods rather than table salt. Also, cut back on refined sugars and caffeine—both increase puffiness — and try caffeine-free herbal tea instead.
5. Preparation On the Day Before The most important task for you today is to get plenty of rest and a good night's sleep. Lack of sleep can produce darkness or puffiness under your eyes, redness to the whites of your eyes, and can make you nervous. Try not to wear any make-up the day before your wedding to give your skin a good rest. If you must wear make-up, then be extra diligent tonight with cleansing, toning, and moisturizing. If you are stressed or excited on this day, then try a relaxing aromatherapy massage in your room before going to sleep.
Finally… On Your Wedding Day!
You have prepared everything in advance, and the only thing you have to do is relax and let your make-up artist and hair stylist make you look like the princess you are.
