So we talk at length about your getting-ready routine on the morning of your wedding; Your hairstyle, your make-up, (your killer pre-wedding playlist!)
But what about your beauty regime in the months and weeks leading up to your wedding?
The reason many brides look so blushing, polished and utterly gorgeous, on their wedding day, is not just because they're high on love and Champagne (though that certainly helps!) it's because their beauty prep began long before the invitations went out.
Your wedding day is a great excuse to work on finally combatting those nasty breakouts, finally finding the perfect shade of blonde, and finally growing your nails out.
And so, to help you on the way to looking utterly polished on your wedding day, we've hit up the professionals. We got tips from the top experts in their fields, on how they help brides reach that coveted combination.
Glossy hair, glowing skin, and perfect nails? They're just a little bit of work, patience, and product away…
Photo by Tamiz Photography via Elizabeth Anne Designs
The Skin
Expert Irish facialist, Ciara McCluskey, is a self-confessed product addict (you need to see inside this girl's beauty cabinet!) and waxes lyrical about her favourite products on her new blog The Lipgloss Girl.
She gives us her insider tips on perfecting your complexion ahead of your wedding.
Photo by What A Day Photography via Bridal Musings
Every bride wants clear, glowing skin, so here are my top tips for my clients getting ready for their big day.
Gulp Up
Nobody tends to drink enough water and while this is the oldest trick in the book, it's there for a reason. Water is the answer to youthful, fresh, glowy skin. It clears the skin of toxins and keeps it plump and hydrated, as well as helping to keep spots at bay.
Try to get at least 1-2 litres a day (especially in the run-up to your wedding).
Photo by Still Moments Studio via Bridal Musings
Take Supplements
Omega fish oils are fantastic for your skin and hair. They help with inflammation, acne and various other skin problems. It will take a few weeks to notice a difference but take them, religiously.
Get Into a Routine
You need to get clear about your skin and what it needs. Is it dry, oily, dehydrated, sensitive? Listen to it and spend some money on good skin care that suits your skin's needs.
At the very least, have a cleanse, tone, moisturise regime going. Do it everyday twice a day, and you will see a difference with your skin. If you can, add in an eye serum, and use SPF everyday if it's not in your foundation already.
Photo by Traci Griffin Photography via Bridal Musings
Facials
This is the great part about being a bride-to-be. Regular facials! These are a great way for a professional to look at your skin and help you to understand what your skin needs and what will work.
I recommend to start getting them at least 12-6 months before the big day, not at the last minute, as you could have a small breakout. It's also a great way for you to relax and escape from table planning for a while.
Photo by Craig Bruce of Brilliant Studios via Bridal Musings
Don't Forget your Body.
You want to be glowing from head to toe on the big day, and this starts in the shower. Dry body brushing is an amazing way to see a huge change in your skin. It gets blood flow going, helps with cellulite and works on pesky bumpy skin.
Use a scrub in the shower every other day and moisturise and soon as you get out of the shower, while your skin is still damp, to help lock in moisture.
Photo by Dasha Caffrey Photography via Bridal Musings
The Hair
The wonderful Jo, Founder and Creative Director of Love Hair & Co (check out their amazing real bride inspiration galleries) gives us her expert tips on how to prep your tresses for gorgeous glossy locks in time for your wedding day.
Photo by CJ Williams Photography via Bridal Musings
Stick to your Stylist
Get organised and schedule any colour appointments up to two weeks before the big day. Be sure to book in with the same hair stylist so that they can stick to the plan.
Split It
If you're growing your hair for your wedding, ensure you get regular hair cut appointments to grow out any layers, and keep your hair looking in great condition. Split ends = Dull hair.
Photo by Le Secret ‘Audrey via Style Me Pretty
Trick Treatment
Use a treatment to get your hair looking glossy – Kerastase Age Recharge is great for adding gloss to damaged hair needing a bit of TLC.
Banish the Brass
You'll be looking at your wedding photos for a long time, so make sure your hair colour is the most flattering for your skin tone.
Visit a colour technician to get rid of any brassy yellow tones and ensure brown tones are rich and glossy.
photo by Dasha Caffrey Photography viaBridal Musings (see the fullhair tutorial here)
Impulse Purchase
Don't make any drastic changes in the weeks up to the wedding. Impulse fringes, layers or drastic colour changes are often regretted. So stick with what you know.
Tec Petaja via Once Wed
Great Lengths
My extra tip is; don't worry about growing your hair, if you really want an up do, but your hair's not quite there yet. Most brides use clip-in hair extensions for extra length or volume.
The quality is so good now you would never know – They don't cost the earth, can be colour matched to your own hair and are ethically sourced. What's not to love?
Photo by Bryce Covey Photography via Style Me Pretty
The Nails
We hit up the superstar manicurists from MW Nails in London ( a very cool airplane-themed nail bar) for their top tips on prepping your bridal talons. They offer a Bridal Bliss treatment for brides and their maids of honour for the ultimate pre-wedding pamper sesh.
Photo by Her Lovely Heart via Bridal Musings
We asked our crew to give us some of their top tips to help prepare for that big day and they’ve come up with some great ideas to ensure your nails are as sparkling as the Champagne!
Preparation is Key
It takes three months for a nail to grow. So start early by having a consultation with a professional to ensure you are having treatments and using products that are right for you.
We Are What We Eat
A healthy, balanced diet is essential not only for nails but your hair and skin too. Ensure you are having enough calcium and Omega oils. No DIY dieting!
Cuticles are Crucial
Use a good quality cuticle oil – Dadi Oil or OPIs Avoplex are both great. They moisturise nails and the skin around them – so your nails become more supple and you’ll prevent splitting.
Photo by Steve Gerrard via Love My Dress
Shape up
Stick to the natural shape of your nails as much as possible and if you prefer a rounded shape make sure you don’t take too much off the sides as it can cause nail splitting.
Colour Me Beautiful
Colours change depending on your skin tone so make sure you choose a colour that works well for you.
If your skin tone is pale than lighter shades with pink or blue undertones are best. Pastel colours can look great too. Choose pinks or reds to brighten the complexion. With fair complexion beige, white and silver can be fabulous.
Those with blue undertones look great with pink based varnish. Medium skin tones enjoy a wide range of colours and can be more choosy. Peach or gold colours enhance olive complexions.
Don’t go for a very pearlescent colour on your nails. As with eye make-up it reflects the light more than matte products and can look different on the photographs. Matte with glossy finish would be our favourite.
Photo by Jill Tiongco Photography via Style Me Pretty
Softly Does It
Invest in a good hand cream to moisturise hands in between your treatments. A hot paraffin treatment combined with exfoliation twice a month, will detox the skin and help cells to regenerate and skin will look healthier and younger.
Photo by Aljosa Videtic Photography via Bridal Musings
Such great tips, don't you think? I especially love the ones on the supplement and treatments, really useful to know.
Thanks so much to Ciara McCluskey, Jo from Love Hair & Co, and the team at MW Nails for their expert advice.
Have you any other tips for perfecting your complexion, growing out your tresses, or filing your way to your dream nails Please do share in the comments below!
For more Bridal Beauty, check out past Beauty posts + our Real Bride board on Pinterest.
