On your wedding day, you want to look and feel your absolute best. For most brides, the wedding dress is the first thought and a thrilling concern. Many begin envisioning their dream gown right from the moment of engagement, if not long before! On average, brides start actively searching for it 9-18 months before their wedding date. On this day, all eyes are on you, so while finding the perfect dress is crucial, considering your hair and makeup to complement the gown is equally important.
Whether hiring a hair and makeup team or taking on the challenge yourself, starting early preparations for your skin and hair is key. Achieving radiant, glowing skin takes time and effort, but you can achieve that coveted bridal glow with a well-thought-out skincare routine.
In this article, we, along with our expert, renowned celebrity and bridal makeup artist Kelly Dawn, will guide brides-to-be on achieving their best skin for their wedding day. We’ll focus on consistent skincare routines, healthy lifestyle choices, seeking professional assistance, and managing stress—all in pursuit of that radiant bridal glow.
MEET THE EXPERT
Kelly Dawn is an international pro makeup artist specializing in Red Carpet and Bridal Makeup. Kelly has worked backstage at fashion weeks and Red carpet events around the world and painted the famous faces of celebrities and Hollywood actresses, including Kate Moss, Emma Thompson, Stella McCartney, Suki Waterhouse, and many more. Kelly is known for bringing her flawless red-carpet looks to bridal clients and helping them look and feel like their most beautiful and confident selves on their wedding day.
Kelly Dawn Bridal is an award-winning bridal hair & makeup agency offering beauty services for multicultural weddings and events worldwide. KDB has been featured in VOGUE, Tatler, Grazia, Wed Vibes, and their elite team was named Best UK Hair & Makeup Artists by Harper’s BAZAAR.
Here are our top tips to help you prepare your skin for your special day.
All makeup below are courtesy of Kelly Dawn Makeup.
1) Start Early
Establish a Skincare Routine:
Find a simple and effective skincare routine at least six months before your wedding day and be consistent with it.
Consult a Professional:
Consider visiting a dermatologist or skincare specialist to assess your skin type and get personalized recommendations for products and treatments suitable for you. If you have challenges with your skin, it’s also worth seeing a dermatologist to plan your treatment.
2) Beauty Starts from Within
Balanced Nutrition:
Incorporate fruits, vegetables, and omega-3-rich foods into your diet for healthy, glowing skin. Foods like salmon, avocado, and nuts can boost skin health.
Stay Hydrated:
Women, on average, should drink 2.7 liters of water per day to keep their skin hydrated and supple. It’s the most effective, easy, and free way to make a dramatic difference in your skin, health, and appearance, and have many other overall health benefits.
It’s an easily forgotten custom, so Kelly always suggests that her brides order a large water jug that helps track their intake. If you want to level up your hydration, she highly recommends adding Cellular Water by Artah to your water in the morning. This energy-boost electrolyte mix fuels the Microbiome, deeply hydrates the skin, and is also a savior for the wedding week!
3) Invest in an LED Mask
LED therapy masks are an easy and effective way to treat your skin at home and are proven to help with collagen production, wound healing, and a reduction in inflammation and redness. If you use it consistently, you will notice a decrease in fine lines, redness, and overall brighter, more radiant skin! Kelly herself uses the one by Current Body, and you will find it has excellent reviews.
4) Consider Facial Massage
Whether you treat yourself to a facial massage with a pro or learn the techniques to massage at home, you will notice a more sculpted, lifted, and brighter complexion. You can learn the methods of daily massage by hand, using a Gua Sha, or raising the bar using an EMS Tool (Electrical Muscle Stimulation). Face Gym has a great EMS tool, and just like going to the gym will make your muscles firmer, this will do the same to your face- it’s like a facial workout that will give you a more lifted, sculpted face!
5) Stress Management
High stress levels can negatively impact your skin. Incorporate stress-relief practices like yoga, meditation, or simply taking time for yourself to relax.
6) Avoid Last-Minute Experimenting
Avoid trying new skincare products or treatments too close to your wedding day. Stick to the routine and products proven to work for your skin.
Kelly shares: “I’ve seen a lot of disappointment and tears from brides who have had adverse reactions to trying new skincare products or facials days or even weeks before the wedding. This is why I advise setting a skincare routine and experimenting with any new facial treatments you want to try at least six months before the wedding. The same stands for any hair, nails, lash, brow treatments, and tan!”
Remember, achieving flawless skin for your wedding day is a journey, not an overnight fix. Stay consistent with your routine, prioritize hydration and nutrition, seek professional guidance, and most importantly, don’t stress. Your natural glow will shine through as you walk down the aisle, radiating confidence and beauty.
