Nervous about being photographed from all angles? Follow this 12-month beauty guide for picture-perfect skin, hair and nails.
12 months to go:
DETOX
Help your body to detox by drinking plenty of water (at least eight glasses per day). It feels unnatural at first, but once you begin to reap the health and skin benefits, you won’t want to go without. Water helps to flush out toxins and keeps skin hydrated from the inside out. This is also an excellent time to begin an exercise regime (if you don’t already have one). Try something fun like Zumba, or exercise in a beautiful location – it will take your mind off the slog.
TIP: Ensure that you get enough beauty sleep and treat your skin to a nourishing night cream.
6 months to go:
FACIALS
Begin a six-month course of facials to ensure flawless skin on your wedding day. Consult a skin therapist and choose a beauty brand that works for your skin. Stay away from anything that might aggravate your skin.
TIP: Avoid having facials at least two weeks before your wedding and don’t have aggressive peels or exfoliation treatments a month before our big day.
5 months to go:
CHOOSE YOUR LOOK
Book your hairstylist and make-up artist, as well as trial dates. Go for consultations. If you are unsure of who to book, ask friends for recommendations. Once you’ve found your dynamic duo, collect pictures of the look you want – search sites such as Pinterest, trawl, wedding blogs or turn to bridal mags for inspiration. Test your look well before your wedding – dramatically changing your hair colour or wearing a make-up look for the first time on the big day is a recipe for disaster.
TIP: Choose classic make-up as anything too trendy will make your pictures look dated in less than a year.
It’s fun to experiment with different make-up and hairstyles, but don’t stray too far from the real you…
4 months to go:
GET GLOWING SKIN
It’s vital that your skin is taken care of from top to toe, so regular exfoliation with a body brush or exfoliating product is a must. The best time to exfoliate is during a hot shower, followed by a thorough moisturiser-overload.
TIP: Choose an exfoliator that removes dead skin cells but isn’t too abrasive on your skin.
Exfoliation helps, but regular exercise ad drinking plenty of water are also your skins best friends.
3 months to go:
BE A SMOOTHIE
If you’re a newbie to waxing and/or eyelash extensions it is essential that you try both these types of treatments at least three months before you decide if they work for you.
TIP: Lash extensions are a necessity for every bride! They finish off the look beautifully and are so natural and comfortable. The other great advantage is that you don’t need to wear mascara with them so there will be no dreaded smudges.
Remember that waxing causes pink and tender skin which needs a couple of days to calm down.
2 months to go:
HANDS & FEET
It’s now time to start caring for your hands and feet, as well as decide what colour you’d like on your nails.
Want to avoid bloating/puffy eyes?
You may want to cut back on salt a month before your wedding
1 month to go:
GET GOLDEN
Help your natural glow along on your wedding day with a little self-tan. Book a trail appointment a month before to ensure that you find your perfect shade. It may be tempting to get carried away – tanned skin is, after all, slimming and flattering – but it’s easy to go overboard. Rather stick to one or two shades darker than your natural skin tone, or ask your beauty therapist for a recommendation.
3 weeks to go:
PEARLY WHITES
To ensure the whitest smile in your photo’s, start a teeth-whitening course now!
2 weeks to go:
BLEMISHES BEGONE
The last thing you need on your wedding day is a nasty pimple. Create a ‘beauty emergency kit’ of supplies: blemish sticks, tweezers, blotting paper, breath mints and, if possible, a miniature/sample of your wedding fragrance. It’s also time to have your eyelash extensions, as well as your last facial before your wedding day.
1 week to go:
TIME TO RELAX
The stress of organizing a wedding can affect you both physically and mentally. Why not treat yourself to a spa day? Go for treatments such as a full-body massage and, while you’re at it, have any necessary waxes done.
2 days to go:
FINISHING TOUCHES
Now is the time to go for your spray tan. It’s important to have it done about two days beforehand so that the residue will have been washed off before you put on your wedding dress, and the colour will look more natural. Having your nails done at this time is ideal too – if you happen to get a chip, there is still time to fix it.
ON THE DAY:
All you!!!
Your biggest priority today is your hair and make-up. Stick to your tried and tested styles, and make sure your beauty emergency kit is well-stocked.
Try not to change your mind on the day. This will create nervous energy and add completely unnecessary stress.