So you’re engaged! Congratulations! Now begins the wonderful conventional rite of passage known as wedding planning. I’ve been through it, and I know it can cause months of stress and anxiety. Never fear! I am here to help give some tips and tricks that I’ve learned along the way to make you look beautiful on your big day, even if I may not be able to help your florist throw together your centerpieces the morning of your wedding (it actually happened to my friend)!
Why begin with skin? I personally believe it’s one part of your face that you need time to work on in order to set yourself up for beauty success. Any painter knows you need a nice canvas in order to create a work of art. Actually this post is helpful for anyone, not just brides–heck, not just women! Even men need to take care of their skin, too (so feel free to share this post). Specifically for brides, I would suggest you start a skincare regimen (if you don’t currently have one) at least 3 months, preferably 5-6 months, prior to the big day. This of course, depends on how much time you have after getting engaged, so adjust accordingly.
Let’s dive in; here are some steps to love your skin!
1. Know Thy Skin
Are you dry, normal, oily, combination, or sensitive? Do you have rosacea or sun-damage? Taking some time to figure out your skin’s identity is essential to the rest of this process! While you may have had oily and acne-prone skin as a teen, your skin may change after puberty, so it’s good to take a step back to re-evaluate every few years. Also note that you may have an overlap of different combinations. For brides, keep in mind your current environment and the season/location where you will have your wedding. If it’s currently winter, your skin is parched and flaky, but your wedding will be in a tropical destination, adjust your expectations accordingly.
An easy way to find out your skin type is to do the following:
- Remove makeup and wash your face. Do not put anything on your face afterwards.
- Wait 1-2 hours for skin to normalize. Try not to touch your face.
- Using small squares of facial tissue or individual rice papers, blot 5 areas of your face: forehead, nose, chin, and cheeks. Lay out the tissues as they correspond to the locations on your face.
- Assess your tissues for oil or skin residue.
Results:
- If you see no oil or skin residue, your skin type is normal.
- If you see oil on all tissues, your skin type is oily.
- If you see oil on some tissues, especially the T-zone (forehead, nose, even the chin), but no oil on your cheeks, your skin type is combination.
- If you see flaky skin on tissues and no oil residue, your skin type is dry.
Alternatively, this handy infographic might be helpful as well.
There are several sites out there that will recommend products for each skin type. While I can’t go in-depth with products for each right now, it will be helpful for you to take this first step so that you can be armed with this self-knowledge if you choose to step into a beauty store and ask someone for help. If you have rosacea or sun-damage, you may need even more specific products, so do some investigation.
2. Basic Skin Care Routine
Regardless of your skin type, consistent skin care is vital to maintaining a healthy glow! Here are some helpful guidelines to know what to do in the months leading up to your big day. Depending on your skin type, you may want to increase or decrease the frequency of these tasks.
- Cleanse and moisturize your face 2 times a day (usually morning and night).
If you find your skin too dry, then wash once daily; conversely, if your skin is so oily you need to wash midday, then do so. Do not overwash your face (no more than 3 times/day) as it will cause your skin to produce more natural oils to overcompensate. This may require some trial and error. Use warm–not hot–water and a cleanser to wash your face, and regularly launder washcloths or facial sponges if you use them to prevent breeding bacteria. Look for a moisturizer that suits your skin type. It may be that you will need something different for morning and nighttime. Consider a separate eye cream for your delicate undereye area. If you can even add a step in between, a gentle alcohol-free toner would be a good addition to prep skin for other treatment.
- Exfoliate once a week.
When you exfoliate, your aim is to gently lift off the top layer of the dead skin cells that are already on their way out so that there is no buildup. Try not to overdo the exfoliation. It can cause more irritation and sensitivity. Some people are quite rough with their skin when they scrub, or they do it too often, and this will cause you to prematurely remove skin that has not completed its life cycle. Normal cell turnover rate is about 28 days in a young adult, and double that for someone over age 50. So be gentle!!
Slightly related note: You might have heard of the problematic microbeads in scrubs, so check the ingredients before purchasing a product to make sure it’s good for the environment, too! You might want to look at this list of scrubs. (Trying really hard to suppress a cheesy TLC reference.)
- Use a face mask 1-2 times per week.
Jars, sheet masks, gel, oh my! With so many to choose from, it can be dizzying to pick a product. I would say, if this is your first foray into the world of masks, the least committal option is the sheet mask. Living in Asia has spoiled me in that I can get them quite cheaply in large quantities or individually if I just wanted to try one out. Some of my favorites are from My Beauty Diary, which is cheap and cheerful but still effective, or for a high end product, I’ve heard amazing things about the SK-II Facial Treatment Masks.
However, if you’re not as keen on the packaged chemicals and want to do something more DIY, there are many recipes out there for the different skin types; you just have to do a bit of research to see what you are comfortable trying. Some of my favorite ingredients include honey, yogurt, olive oil, oatmeal, and egg. Again, remember to do a patch test prior to determine if you have any allergic reactions. If you are making your own, consider using organic items.
I also quite like this DIY at-home facial regimen.
3. Extras: Luxurious Treatments
Now you’ve made it to the high-rollers section of the post! So you’ve mastered your skin type and have your regular regimen on lockdown. You’re looking for something more to give yourself a royal treatment in preparation for your big day! The sky is the limit here. From whitening to slimming to chemical peels to botox, there are a vast array of options. I can’t speak about these since I haven’t done them, but I would say: do your research to find a highly rated or recommended aesthetician or spa that has all of its certifications. Cleanliness, hygiene, knowledge, and skill are paramount to a great treatment.
For those of you who are concerned about money, there are deals on Groupon, Vaniday (only available in some countries), and Vanitee (only available in Singapore).
I personally was able to find a reasonably priced spa by my apartment when I lived in Hong Kong, and was able to get a package deal so that I could get weekly facials leading up to my wedding. Besides taking care of my skin, it was my time of relaxation and de-stressing (and a little nap) from all the busyness of wedding planning, and I relished in that 1 hour and 15 minute haven. While this may not be for everyone, I think the principle holds: it is essential to commit a set amount of time regularly to take care of your skin so that you will look your most radiant on your wedding day.
What are/were your wedding skincare routines?
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor or dermatologist. The steps and products here are found from web resources, research, and my own personal experiences which may not work for everyone. Please check with your doctor/dermatologist before starting any serious skincare regimen. People may develop allergies at any time, so please try products and check ingredients before purchasing.
Lillian Louie Makeup 