It's not just the dress you've got to think about when it comes to your big day. The key to radiant skin, a gorgeous glow and luscious locks on your wedding day is preparation. So when should you begin your bridal prep?
14
May
Katherine Chambers
From a radiant complexion to the perfect manicure, perfecting bridal beauty takes more than just a great MUA. While most brides-to-be know when to order their dress and book their makeup artist, knowing when to start your wider beauty regime can feel a little confusing. So, here’s the breakdown on your big day beauty routine, with a little help from some of our Gorgeous brand experts.
Plan Ahead
Skin
Every bride wants glowing skin on her big day. We’ve all heard about Meghan Markle’s skincare regime, with a series of facials booked in ahead of her wedding, but what about your at-home routine? We picked up with the skincare experts at Caudalie on their top product picks.
Caudalie advised that ahead of your wedding day, for natural radiance and an even complexion, you should incorporate Caudalie Vinoperfect Serum and Essence into your routine. Team Gorgeous were keen to try this for themselves, so stay tuned for our Vinoperfect team trial coming soon to The Highlight.
Hair
Whether you’re wearing your hair up or down on your big day, you want it to be in perfect condition. Kérastase’s Extentioniste range is ideal for fortifying and stregthening locks.
Helping achieve hair goals, the formula reduces breakage and the look of split ends, making it perfect for those who want to grow their hair for their wedding day. For an extra boost of hydration ahead of the big day, Team Gorgeous also LOVE Pureology’s Hydrate Superfood Treatment Mask.
Makeup
Whether you’re doing your own makeup, or sourcing an MUA, preparation is key! If you’re getting your makeup done professionally, do your research and find someone that creates bridal looks that you love. Instagram is a great way to source a bridal makeup artist.
If you’re doing your own bridal makeup, ensure you get in plenty of practice. You should try applying the full look more than once, and wearing it for an extended period. This way you’ll be able to work out if you need to prepare for touch-ups during the big day.
It’s also worth photographing your chosen look to see how it appears on camera. This way, you can see if you need to be a little more generous, or sparing (!) with any elements of your bridal beauty look.
Tan
For top tanning tips for brides, we picked up with Jayne Cooper, UK Tanning Expert at St. Tropez. To ensure you’re skin’s ready and primed for tanning when the big day comes around, Jayne recommends preparing by exfoliating every 2-3 days and moisturising daily. This ensures the skin is super hydrated and ready for your tan.
Nails
Ahead of your big day, look through social media and follow accounts that give you inspiration for nail ideas. Creating a Pinterest board is a great idea for keeping all of your manicure ideas in one place.
To get your nails strong and healthy, OPI‘s experts recommend using a Nail Envy treatment. Apply two coats to your natural nails and apply another coat every other day for a week. Remove with acetone free remover and repeat the treatment for 6-8 weeks. You could also use ProSpa Cuticle Oil regularly, at least 2-3 times a day. This will help to feed and nourish the root of the nail, thus allowing a healthy nail to grow through.
To keep your nails smooth, file the free edges once or twice a week. Filing the nails regularly will also help to stimulate nail growth.
Nearly There
Skin
For a beautifully even skin tone, the experts at Caudalie recommend you begin exfoliating with Caudalie Divine Scrub ahead of any fake tanning, and finish off with Caudalie Divine Oil for beautifully nourished, radiant and soft skin.
Hair
For top hair tips, we picked up with Adam, Salon Director at Gorgeous Hairdressing. Adam said:
‘Wedding hair prep is key to any successful hair-up for your very special day. I would always recommend having a minimum of two trials leading up to the wedding. When you go for your trial, take lots of photos of what you like, and also what you don’t like. This way the stylist knows exactly what not to do on the day! Leading up to the wedding, ask your stylist about having hair colour maintenance done. This could be covering the hairs no one wants to see on a wedding day (white hairs), or even touching up your blonde.
My one piece of major advise would be to add some high and lowlights to your routine maintenance appointments, so your hair looks multi-dimensional under the photographer’s flash.
Make sure you have your hair cut the week before the big day, to ensure their is no split ends that you wouldn’t want to see!’
Makeup
As you get closer to the big day, make sure you prepare a bridal beauty kit that you can keep somewhere at your venue. This should include any key items you may need for touch-ups, such as your chosen lip colour, powder and mascara. You’re likely to need to reapply this after the emotion of the ceremony!
Tan
UK Tanning Expert at St. Tropez, Jayne, advises ding a trial tan at least six weeks before your wedding. This gives you a chance to have another trial if needed. Jayne says,
“Whether applying yourself at home or having a spray tan, try and tie it in a couple of days before your make up trial and dress fitting to get a true make up finish and foundation match and you can see your tan in your dress, as light colours will bring out the tan more.”
Jayne also advises preparing for your tan at least 24 hours in advance. She advises:
- Exfoliating the day before your tan
- Ensuring all hair removal is done 24 hours before tanning
- Ensuring skin is free from any makeup, deodorant, perfume, moisturiser and oils on the day of the tan
- Making sure that just before you apply your tan, you moisturise the dry areas, hands, elbows, knees and feet and use our the St. Tropez Applicator Mitt for an easy application
- You should wear loose dark clothing after tanning and avoid wearing a bra, especially if your dress is backless or strapless. You should also avoid getting the tan wet or doing any exercise until the tan has developed
Nails
Manicure trials are just as important as hair and make up trials so book in with a professional near you. Ask them to advise you on current bridal trends and what would suit your skin tone, as well as dress colour and theme of your wedding.
Book in for manicures at least once a month to keep your nails, skin and cuticles in good conditon. Avoid cutting your cuticles as they can grow back thicker and stronger.
The Big Day
Skin
On the big day itself, Caudalie advise their Beauty Elixir‘s perfect for setting your makeup in the morning. It can also be used throughout the day on a full face of makeup to refresh the skin, prevent caking and revive your look.
Hair
Our Gorgeous Stylist’s top piece of advice is not to wash your hair on the day of the wedding. This little tip helps keep the style for longer!
On the big day, you want to be looking and feeling your best. If you’re a guest, or bridesmaid, or have simply left your hair to last-minute, why not try a DIY approach with our effortlessly undone and polished blow-dry bridal hair tutorials?
Makeup
However much time you think you’ll need to create your look on the big day, allow more. Make sure you pay as much attention to prepping your skin as you do to applying the makeup. A perfect canvas will allow for a perfect finish.
If you’re having your makeup done by a professional, they will be able to advise on how much time your look is likely to take, so you’ll know when they need to arrive.
Factor in some time before you leave for the ceremony for any last-minute touch-ups and make sure you have your touch-up kit on hand to take to the venue. It’s always a good idea to put one of your bridesmaids in charge of this.
Tan
St. Tropez UK Tanning Expert Jayne advises that for those finishing touches you can use the St. Tropez Instant Tan Skin Finishing Gloss. Simply use a small amount on key areas that are on show, including your shoulders, collar bone, spine and shins. The skin will look beautiful and it look amazing on camera.
Nails
Ensure you have plenty of help getting ready, you don’t want to break any nails or chip your manicure on your big day! Use ProSpa Cuticle Oil in the morning to allow it to soak into the skin and nails. This way your hands will be photograph ready, soft, supple and glowing.
Keep a matching lacquer and a nail file nearby in case of emergencies on the day, OPI is avaialble in matching lacquers and Infinite Shine to make ‘touch ups’ easy.
Honeymoon
Skin
When the big day’s been and gone, and you’re off to relax on your honeymoon, don’t forget to take your Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum with you on your travels. Apply it underneath your sun cream to promote a healthy and even tan, free from any sun spots.
Hair
With your hair in great condition following your wedding day preparations, you want to keep it that way. Kérastase’s Soleil collection is perfect for maintaining hair condition on holiday. The 3-step regime works to nourish and protect hair from the build-up of sand and salt, whilst protecting from damaging UV rays. The result is softer, supple and radiant hair which lasts for longer.
Makeup
Keep honeymoon makeup minimal, particularly if you’re off to see the sun. Try switching your usual foundation for a tinted moisturiser. We love bareMinerals Complexion Rescue for a radiant finish. It’s also boosted with SPF30, delivering medium protection from UV rays when in the sun.
Tan
Aftercare is just as important, especially if you’re heading straight off on your honeymoon. To maintain your tan, use an oil-free moisturiser daily and gently exfoliate every 2-3 days to give an even fade. If you’re off somewhere hot, don’t forget your SPF for protection!
Nails
As on your wedding day, pack a matching lacquer and a nail file in case your manicure chips whilst your away. No one wants chipped nails ruining their holiday wedding ring photos!
Shop our bridal beauty essentials: