So, you've hired the best makeup artist around to give you the glam treatment on your wedding day? Fabulous! While, yes, they'll be doing the ‘heavy lifting' it's also helpful to prepare your canvas. A fresh prepped face gives you the best headstart to bridal beauty!
Picture-perfect skin involves a lot of dedication. Thankfully, we have the ultimate guide to skin prep from seasoned wedding makeup professionals. Beauty experts Reveal Hair & Makeup fill their online library with insightful beauty guides. From how to get “Golden Glowing Skin” to this crucial wedding-day skin prep guide we're sharing below, you'll become a beauty expert yourself. To show off what proper skin prep can do for your ‘bridal glow', we're pairing their tips and beauty talents with gorgeous photos by iamlatreuo photo.
Reveal Hair & Makeup's Skin Prep Tips
While our professional makeup kit will work wonders to cover blemishes and even skin tone, working on a prepped canvas really helps your skin look its best and the makeup look flawless. The following tips work for any makeup appointment, not just brides. Follow all of these three steps to have your best skin on your appointment day.
1. Exfoliate
You can get some amazing exfoliators to use at home, or go the professional route. If you want to use a professional, ask your esthetician for what is best for your skin. They may recommend a series of dermaplaning treatments at a spa. Professional exfoliating treatments can begin anywhere from a year up until a couple of weeks prior to your appointment date. The bonus with a professional treatment is they will give you steps tailored to your specific skincare needs that you can apply to your daily regimen the week or your wedding and after.
At home, look for scrubs that are gentle. You can even apply some on your neck and chest. Some of our favorites include CaudalieVinoClean Deep Exfoliator, Dermalogica Microfoliant Exfoliator, and Clinique Exfoliating Face Scrub.
2. Hydrate
Hydration from the inside will show on your skin. So, drink up! Begin hydrating at least a month before your appointment if possible. Try to drink at least 100 oz of water a day. On the day of your appointment, drink tons of water and avoid salty, greasy foods.
Moisturizer is another great way to hydrate your skin. However, as Jenny has learned, more is not always better. She had a client complain her makeup looks cakey when she does it herself, but she was simply just using too much moisturizer before applying makeup. Aim to apply about a pea-size amount to your skin to avoid it becoming a barrier to your makeup. Use clean hands and softly massage the moisturizer into your skin. If you choose to use a serum (we love Saint Jane Luxury Beauty Serum Calming Treatment), apply a small amount a few hours prior to your makeup application to ensure your skin has soaked it up.
Expert tip: If you want to wear sunscreen apply facial sunscreen an hour before your appointment to let it saturate into your skin.)
3. Facials and Masks
Facials and masks can give you so many amazing, extra nutrients to nourish and moisturize the skin. Under-eye masks or sheet masks are a great at-home way to keep skin hydrated. Some of our favorite masks include DrJart+Sheet Masks, Tarte SEA Pack Your Bags Under Eye Patches, and Caudalie Vinosource-Hydra Moisturizing Mask. We always suggest trying different masks out a few months before your appointment and using the ones with the best result the week of your wedding or event.
We also love facials! A series of facials in the weeks before your wedding can help achieve a healthy glow! Ask your esthetician what they suggest for brides to avoid redness and breakouts. Facials aren’t just good for the amazing nutrient benefits for your skin, but also help you relax and feel pampered prior to your wedding or appointment date.
Expert tip: For all of these steps and suggestions, don’t try anything new on the day of your appointment. Try all products out the month before your appointment to give you ample time for your skin to adjust and to test for sensitivities or reactions.
Day of Preparation
We hope you follow the steps above in the months prior to your appointment. On the day of, please follow these steps:
- Drink: Stay hydrated and drink plenty of water (electrolytes as a bonus if needed).
- Wash: Wash your face with a facial cleanser and lukewarm water. Be sure to rinse well.
- Exfoliate: Follow with a gentle exfoliator scrub (this can be done the evening before if you have sensitive skin).
- Tone: Use a toner to balance the PH levels of your skin.
- Hydrate: Apply any eye serum and a daily moisturizer before we arrive
- Relax: We got the rest!
Bonus tip: Teeth whitening and eye drops really help your lip color and eyes pop.
Consult with a dermatologist if you have any significant skin sensitivities or concerns to see if you need any special treatments or if you need to avoid certain products. Please let your beauty team know prior to your appointment if you have any allergies.
Thank you Reveal Hair & Makeup! If you found this guide super helpful, we highly recommend reading their tips for making your makeup last. Wedding days can be super long, and there are secrets to keeping your makeup just as ‘photo ready' while dancing into the night.
For more wedding hair and makeup advice, visit our Beauty section.
