Congratulations, you're engaged and now you’re deep in wedding-planning mode. As you go through the many steps involved in preparing to say I do, make sure to add one more item to your to-do list: your skin. 

Many brides-to-be tend to forget to care for their skin before their big day. But since wedding photos last a lifetime (and because you deserve to feel fabulous!), you’ll want to make sure your skin looks its best when you tie the knot. Get that wedding-worthy glow with these skincare tips: 

Start your skincare routine early

One of the most common skincare mistakes that brides-to-be make is starting their wedding skincare regimen a week before their big day. This isn’t enough time, as your skin still needs to get used to your new regimen. The ideal window of time for starting a new regimen is at least 3 months before your wedding day, so you can closely monitor how your skin reacts to certain products. In the rare case you do suffer from side effects, your skin will still have sufficient time to recover.  I would definitely not recommend introducing new products to your skin within a few weeks of your wedding day.

Although it doesn't necessarily mean starting a whole new routine, it may just mean adding or enhancing your current routine, or making time to exfoliate more regularly.

And remember, your wedding skincare routine doesn’t need to be complicated. In general, your pre-wedding skincare routine should look something like this: 

• Make sure you remove all makeup thoroughly at the end of the day, micellar water is great for this!  When removing eye makeup, soak a cotton pad in micellar water, close your eyes and hold the pad over your eyelashes for 5-10 seconds.  The product will dissolve your mascara and eye makeup without the need to rub excessively which will reduce the amount of damage to the under-eye area where the skin is much thinner.

• Cleanse / clean your face thoroughly at least once a day - you can get a good daily wash and put it next to your shower gel if you're short of time.

• Exfoliate regularly, depending on what product you are using, but try to exfoliate at least once a week. Exfoliating helps to remove dead skin cells by breaking the bonds that glue them together, allowing new cells to surface, and giving your daily glow an instant boost. Exfoliating also whisks away any dirt and debris deep within your pores that your cleanser may have missed.  By removing the top layer of dead skin cells your moisturiser will be far more effective too!

• Be careful with strong ageing products containing retinol, hyaluronic acid etc as this will thin the skin and can cause burns / damage when having your brows waxed.

• Moisturise every morning and before you go to bed.

• Use a moisturiser during the day that contains at least 15 SPF (ideally 30 SPF) as the Sunscreen helps protect against photoaging, cellular DNA damage and hyperpigmentation, so you should wear sunscreen every day as part of your skincare routine.

• Use a good quality eye cream, at least once a day.  Eye cream is necessary because the skin around your eyes is thinner and the first to show signs of aging. A good eye cream can help minimize the look of wrinkles, dark circles, and puffiness.  Eye creams are formulated specifically for the delicate skin around the eye, so they tend to be thicker. They contain more oil than a regular facial lotion, and they have a lot of active ingredients aimed at the problems we see around the eyes.

Get regular facials

Treat yourself to regular facials on the run up to the wedding.  They are not only relaxing to help you de-stress, but Facials like Derma-planing include a really deep exfoliate.  If you book a facial with me on the run up to your wedding, I will be able to go through your skincare routine at the same time, and show you some little tips to ensure you are treating your skin in the best way and getting the most out of your products.

Your skincare staples can only do so much. For cleansing that goes deep into your pores, you’ll need to get regular facials from a professional. When you combine your regular regimen with facials, you’ll have a dynamic duo that’s guaranteed to give you flawless skin. Not only do facials get rid of dirt and dead skin cells, but they also boost your skin’s collagen content for younger-looking skin.

For wedding-ready skin, aim to get a facial every month. This is the average length of your skin’s regenerative cycle. At the 4-week mark, your skin cells will move to the surface where they will exfoliate themselves on their own. However, this process slows down as you get older – it can take up to 40 days for your skin cells to shed, meaning you’ll have to deal with dull skin for longer. To get rid of dull skin fast, go for a deep exfoliating dermaplaning facial.

Stay hydrated and eat healthily

We are what we eat! Even if you moisturise every day, your skin will still look dull and dry if you aren’t well-hydrated. This is because your skin barrier needs moisture to carry nutrients to your skin cells. Moisture also strengthens the skin barrier so it can continue to fight off free radicals. 

We know it can be tempting to break out the bottle of wine to fight pre-wedding stress but stick to good old water for now. According to the British Nutrition Foundation, women should sip at least 2.0 litres of water a day. Don’t forget that a balanced diet should go hand-in-hand with your hydration goals. Eat lots of fruits and leafy greens to get skin that glows from within. 

Get Plenty of Sleep!

Want to look picture-perfect on your wedding day? Get some sleep! It may be the norm for brides-to-be to pull all-nighters to put the finishing touches on their wedding preparations, but this can lead to lacklustre skin. 

Sleep is the best time for your body to renew its cells. If you don’t get enough sleep, your body won’t be able to repair itself from the everyday damage caused by free radicals such as UV rays. This can make your facial flaws (such as fine lines and wrinkles) appear more pronounced. Your overall skin barrier will also be more vulnerable. 

The solution?  Give yourself (and your skin) a break, by getting some much-deserved beauty rest. Wedding Stress keeping you up? Here are some tips from the sleep foundation which include:

• A quiet environment. Quiet does not have to mean completely silent. Calming sounds or music can be beneficial. Loud, abrasive sounds or noises should be avoided.
• A focus of attention. A word, phrase, mantra, breathing pattern, or mental image can all be used to draw your attention and reduce thinking about external concerns.
• A passive attitude. Accepting that it’s normal for your mind to wander allows you to remain at-ease and draw your focus back to the object of your attention.

Try listening to meditation music (there are loads online!)  It can help you calm your physiology without making a conscious effort, and that can alleviate stress from your mind. Music can also lift your mood, slow your breathing, and create other stress-relieving benefits.

Consider Waxing or Threading 

No bride-to-be should have to spend her big day worrying about unwanted hair.  Whether you want to deal with upper-lip hair or cheeks, hair removal is a great way to achieve your wedding beauty look.

With waxing, you’ll get a two-for-one beauty treatment as waxing also acts as an exfoliant. As the wax is peeled away, it strips the skin of excess skin cells, making your skin feel softer.  Whereas threading is the gentlest method of hair removal, and it's able to pull strands from the root much like waxing.

Get your Pre-Wedding Skincare and Makeup with Jax-Glam Beauty

Every person wants to walk down the aisle feeling good about themselves. By practising these tips, you can make sure your skin is ready for your big day. At Jax-Glam Beauty, we want you to feel your best selves through our wide range of beauty treatments and wedding makeup. We’re here to make you look and feel like the most beautiful bride in the world.

Most importantly I want you to enjoy walking down the aisle.