The Ultimate Bridal Beauty Checklist
Text by Melani Semuel
Manicure
Just got engaged? Everyone will want to look at your ring (of course) so make sure your hands are ring-worthy! Time to invest in cuticle oil and hand cream if you haven’t already – they will keep your hands looking their best between manicures.
Exfoliate
From about the eight-month mark to about a week before your big day, you will want to do weekly at-home body exfoliations. Concentrate on your shoulders and arms so that come the big day they are glowing and healthy!
Exercise
You want to look your best on your big day, and part of that is having that wedding body you’ve been dreaming of. Consider starting a regular fitness regime or getting a personal trainer when you are about eight months away from the big day.
Skin Needs
Come the big day you want to shine – but not from excess oil on your skin. You know your skin best, but visiting a dermatologist or knowledgeable beauty counter might help assess your skin needs. Start a proper product regimen about six months before the big day and remember that results take about a month to become noticeable.
Research
Around the five-month countdown mark, you will want to start gathering inspiration for hairstyles and makeup for the big day. Will you wear your hair up or down? Bold or understated makeup? These decisions will be heavily influenced by the style of your dress and theme of your day.
Smile
It will be the happiest day of your life, so expect to smile all day long. If you are considering whitening your teeth, do so about four months ahead of the big day. Consult your dentist about what treatment is best for you.
Get Lippy
Many brides-to-be struggle with chapped lips. The stress of wedding planning doesn’t exactly help, and weather can often make matters worse. Unfortunately there is no overnight solution, but from about the four-month mark, you should start using lip treatments to ensure you are ready and pout perfect come wedding o'clock.
Deep Conditioning
Want shinning, shimmering healthy locks? You need to start weekly deep-conditioning treatments for healthy hair. When you have three months to go, visit your hairdresser for professional deep conditioning.
Trial Time
When you are three months away from the big day it is time to book your hair and makeup trials. With your dress in mind and a headpiece on hand, test out how your hair will look and how you want your makeup. If you are doing your own hair or makeup it would be wise to start practicing.
Fresh Scent
Your wedding day fragrance may be a bit of a luxury, but fragrance is one of the most memory- evoking senses, so it important that you pick something distinctive for the big day that still suits your personality.
Brow How
Your eyebrows frame your face, so it is worth getting a brow specialist to reshape or correct your brows ahead of the big day. Visit a specialist to make sure you have the right shape two months in advance and then again a week ahead of your wedding day for final tweaks and plucking.
Facial
With one month to go it is time to book a deep-cleansing facial. It is a great idea to combine this with your hen-do if you go away on a spa break, but you can also just do it as a pre-wedding treat. It is the perfect way to ensure your skin is wedding ready!
Ready Locks
If you have your hair coloured you might want to refresh the colour two weeks ahead of your wedding. A final trim around this time is also ideal, as it allows your hair to look natural come the big day. (If you are in charge of your fiancé’s grooming schedule, two or three weeks ahead of the big day is the perfect time for a hair trimming for him, too.)
The Week Ahead
A true indulgence of all things beauty, the week ahead of you wedding day you will want to do a little bit of everything you’ve been doing over the past months. It is time to get that final spray tan, waxing, brow shaping, deep-conditioning hair treatment, teeth cleaning and even a mini facial if you have time. Key to relaxation is also a massage – treat yourself, you deserve it!
On the Day
Here comes the bride (almost)! Time for a final manicure and pedicure. The beautifying process will be worth it and you will be a beautiful bride!
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