Bristol Makeup & Beauty Blog
Bridal Skin Prep Guide: How to Get Your Skin Wedding-Ready for Flawless Makeup
Your wedding makeup will only look as good as the skin underneath — and the secret to glowing, long-lasting bridal makeup is proper skin prep, not layers of products.
Whether you’re preparing for your makeup trial or want your skin at its absolute best for the big day, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know.
✨ Why Skin Prep Matters for Brides
Wedding days involve:
✔ early mornings
✔ long hours
✔ unpredictable weather
✔ tears, laughter & hugging
✔ professional photography
All of that is easier when your skin is:
Hydrated - Smooth - Calm - Not overloaded with products
Good bridal prep = makeup that lasts 12+ hours, looks flawless in photos, and still feels comfortable.
💛 Most Common Bridal Skin Concerns
Brides tell me the same things again and again:
- “My makeup goes patchy on my nose.”
- “My foundation looks dry in certain areas.”
- “Makeup settles into lines.”
- “I want natural makeup but still want to glow.”
These are totally normal — especially in your 30s & 40s — and almost always improved with the right skincare steps.
🎥 Watch My Full Skincare Routine Video
Learn exactly how to cleanse, exfoliate, hydrate and prep your skin in the correct order.
Skincare Steps:
Step 1: Remove Eye Makeup
Soak a cotton pad with eye makeup remover (micellar water)
Press together so pads are evenly damp
Close your eyes and press the damp pads on your lashes, allow time for the product to dissolve your mascara
Open your eyes, and gently wipe away
Repeat if necessary
After you have removed all your mascara, wipe your under eye - be gentle as this skin is very thin.
Step 2a Cleanse - Using Pads
Soak a cotton pad with cleanser or makeup remover, I’m using micellar water.
Starting in the centre of your face, slowly wipe the pads towards your hairline.
Always sweep towards your temples to avoid dragging your skin down.
Don’t forget to do your jawline and neck!
Step 2b Cleanse - Using Fingers
Using your fingertips, in upward circular motions, massage into your skin to dissolve makeup etc
Rinse with warm water.
Step 3 Tone
Toner is no longer considered an essential step in modern skincare — so don’t feel guilty if you skip it.
Traditionally, toner was used to rebalance the skin’s pH after harsher cleansers. But if you’re using gentle, skin-friendly products, your pH is unlikely to be disrupted in the first place.
That said, some toners now include extra benefits such as:
• added hydration
• soothing ingredients
• gentle exfoliating acids
• calming botanicals
If you enjoy using one, you absolutely can. A lovely way to apply toner is to decant it into a spray bottle — it’s refreshing, easy to use, and can even be misted lightly over makeup throughout the day.
Step 4: Exfoliate
This is a really important step - depending on what product you are using will define how often.
Apply scrub with your finger tips, using gentle circular motions to buff away dry, dead cells to leave you feeling soft, smooth and glowy.
Rinse with water
Step 5: Eye Cream
Eye creams are formulated specifically for the delicate skin around the eye, with products having targeted ingredients like caffeine to reduce dark circles.
Using your ring finger, dot the cream evenly around the natural crease under your eyes
Gently massage in, using little circle movements
You can also use an eye roller for deeper absorption, The cooling eye roller helps to boost circulation for a healthy, bright glow. It also helps improve skin tone, skin texture and facial tension. Store in the fridge for extra cooling effect!
Step 6: Moisturise
Depending on the time of day - Use a Day Or Night Cream - A night cream is richer and helps the skin's natural regeneration process overnight and might be too thick under makeup.
Spread a generous amount across your hands and press into your skin upwards and outwards.
If you feel you need to, gentle and slowly sweep across skin - patting is gentler and avoids pulling or dragging your skin
Step 7: SPF / Serum
Depending on the time of day:
- Day - Always use a SPF to protect against sun damage.
- Night - For total hydration and extra vitamins and nutrients use a serum.
Spread a generous amount across your hands and press into your skin upwards and outwards.
💆♀️ Professional Facials to Consider Before Your Wedding
If you’d like to boost your skin even further, facials can make a real difference — as long as they’re planned ahead.
✨ Aqua Hydrating Facial
Helps deeply cleanse, hydrate, brighten and plump the skin — ideal for creating that soft, bridal glow.
✨ Dermaplaning
Removes dead skin and peach fuzz for a smoother surface and flawless makeup application.
⭐ When to Start
Begin at least 6 months before your wedding day.
This gives you time to:
- see how your skin reacts
- establish which treatments work best
- build up results gradually
- avoid any risk of irritation
⭐ How Often
A treatment every 6 weeks is ideal.
This allows us to track how your skin peaks so we can time your final facial perfectly before your big day.
🚫 Avoid Last-Minute Experiments
Do NOT try any new skincare products, facials or treatments in the last few weeks before your wedding.
You don’t want to risk breakouts, irritation, or reactions so close to the day.
💛 Ready for Your Bridal Glow?
I offer:
📍 Jax-Glam Beauty – Lyde Green, Bristol, South Gloucestershire
🌐 Book online: www.jax-glam.co.uk
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