how to plan a beautyregimen For your wedding

WORDS : WASIFA AHMAD HASAN Follow Wasifa on INSTAGRAM: @sifascorner

PHOTO : Valerie Elash on unsplash.com

Wedding planning is hard and exhilarating at the same time. From picking up the dream wedding dress to finalizing the venue, it’s stressful! During this colorpicking, food-tasting and shopping time, sometimes we forget that a wedding beauty ritual is something one should start long before the actual wedding date — almost a year to be exact.

If you are getting married soon, or planning your wedding, here is a guide to creating the perfect beauty routine for your wedding and honeymoon.

when to start a beauty regimen for a wedding:

To be exact, start your beauty routine right after your engagement. Many estheticians and skincare specialists will ask you to start a proper regimen 8-10 months before the wedding. I have interviewed many skin specialists for my blog, and they all say the same thing: You will need at least 8-10 months to see a noticeable difference and improvement in your skin as it takes around 28 days for skin cells to turnover.

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT with your dermatologist:

There are thousands (or more) concealers and foundations on the market, but the allure of a healthy supple skin should, without a doubt, be number one on your priority list. We all have some (or a lot of) skin troubles we face daily. This is why you should start with an expert consult. Set up an appointment with your dermatologist. Talk about your skin problems, skin goals and devise a realistic strategy to achieve the healthiest skin.

when: 1 YEAR OUT

exercise:

Depending on your physical activity level, start doing some type of workout to look and feel your best on your big day.

when: 6-8 MONTHS OUT

start eating colorful:

And by colorful, I mean colorful veggies and fruits. I am not talking about a drastic diet change or “juice cleanse.” I am talking about incorporating healthier foods in your diet. I believe in taking care of our skin from within. Which is why a healthy lifestyle is the key to getting healthy skin. Try to lessen salt, excess sugar and fried foods, and drink lots of water. These small changes make a huge difference in 6-7 months. You will notice less puffiness and bloating. (Yes, our grandmas were right!) when: 1 YEAR OUT sleep: when: 1 YEAR OUT hair removal: when: 1 YEAR OUT product upgrade: when: 8–9 MONTHS OUT ›››› regular facials: when:

Sleep is the time when new cells are being created in all our body tissue — skin, muscle and hair. When we sleep, it's the only time our brain can repair and reorganize, which is why maintaining a proper slumber ritual and sleep time is essential for a healthy mind and body.

If you want to go to the laser hair-removal route, I suggest starting it as early as possible. It is a pricey and time-consuming procedure, but in the long run the overall result is better than the tradition methods of hair removal. Depending on where you go, sessions can range from $200 to $350, and planning should be done 9 to 12 months before the wedding, as it typically takes 6 sessions spaced 6 weeks apart to see permanent results.

Using products with retinol and alpha hydroxy acid help to diminish hyperpigmentation and increase cell turnover. Keep in mind that products with retinol and prescription-strength retinoids can cause redness, peeling and possibly acne at the outset before all those benefits kick in. It will take 4-8 weeks to adjust with a retinol product. Products with hyaluronic acid will help skin retain moisture and look plumper and healthier. So learn about the ingredients available to you, and talk with your dermatologist before you start new products.

Everyone’s skin is different, so you don’t know how your skin will react after a facial. To estimate how long it takes for your skin to look its best after a facial and time your final treatments accordingly, it’s best to start having regular facials from a professional as early as possible. You can work with your skincare specialist to figure out which facial regimen to follow and what type of treatments should you get leading up to your wedding day that will address any issues or concerns. Even if you do not want to use aggressive methods like peels and deep exfoliation, simple procedures like gentle exfoliation, facial masks and facial massages, if done regularly, will create the perfect base for makeup on your wedding day.

9 MONTHS — 1 YEAR OUT sun protection: when: 1 YEAR OUT tanning sessions: when: 1 MONTH OUT rest of the body: when: 9 MONTHS — 1 YEAR OUT hair color: when: 6 MONTHS OUT for test driving initial color; 14 DAYS OUT for your last pre-wedding touch-up. haircut: when: 6 MONTHS OUT brows: when: START 1 YEAR OUT

All the hard work you are doing for your skin will fail if you don’t use a sunscreen while going out. Your skin will be sensitive to sunlight after doing facials or using retinol products, so sunscreen is a must.

Skip the harmful tanning bed and opt for a sunless spray tan, bronzing powder or a tinted body lotion, which are the best options for a luminous glow from head to toe. These will even out skin tone and hide any imperfections like stretch marks, scars, redness and cellulite.

The rest of your body will need some TLC too! Start by doing dry-brushing which means massaging your body with a body brush while dry. It produces major skin benefits, including exfoliation and increased blood circulation. Also, start using a gentle cleanser in the shower followed by a moisturizer or oil immediately afterwards. A humidifier for your home also helps your skin by introducing moisture.

Whether you're going lighter or darker, try out the hair color at least six months before your wedding and from a professional colorist. Talk with your hairdresser and show inspirations of what you are looking for. Discuss the maintenance involved after coloring the hair.

Get a proper haircut before the wedding to get rid of the split ends and dullness. Never, I repeat, never try a drastic haircut just before the wedding. Try out extensions if you want some extra length.

Do you pluck your own brows? If yes, then stop all the plucking, waxing and tweezing. Most of the time when we do our own brows, we tend to over-pluck, causing to lose all of our natural arch shape, which can change the facial expression altogether. A good aesthetician can give the brows proper shape to fit our faces before the big day.

microblading:

If you have sparse brows and want to go for a better solution, consider microblading. With microblading, you get natural brows without worrying about sweat or water getting in the way of beautiful brows. Just like the lash extension, go to a professional who has a good reputation. Have you seen their previous work? Does it look natural and flawless? If yes, then commit to it.

when: 3 MONTHS OUT lash extensions: when: 1 MONTH OUT and 3-5 DAYS OUT FOR A TOUCH-UP dentist: when: 1 YEAR — 6 MONTHS OUT. Teeth whitening touch up 1 month out. nail care: when: Start routine 1 YEAR OUT.

Lash extensions are great for brides who don't want to worry about having beautiful fuller lashes from the rehearsal dinner through the honeymoon. It also looks beautiful in pictures and causes less hassle than false lashes. Always go to a renowned lash extension specialist.

Wedding pictures are forever and you will most likely have a lot of pictures with your mouth exposed. A gorgeous smile starts with healthy gums and teeth. So talk to your dentist about teeth whitening or investing in braces or clear aligners. Consider splurging on professional-grade teeth whitening.

Keep your nails hydrated and healthy by using an oil on your cuticles nightly before bed. Use a hand cream whenever you are washing your hands. Getting a regular manicure is a good way to care for cuticles, nourish nails and also relax your mind. So treat yourself to a professional manicure every few weeks leading up to your wedding to ensure your hands and nails are in perfect condition.

Professional manicure 3 MONTHS OUT.

Final manicure 2—3 DAYS OUT.

Whether you are starting or upgrading your beauty routine, doing a proper wedding beauty regimen is a great way to de-stress and energize yourself before the nuptials. When you follow a beauty regimen well, your makeup will look good, your hairstyle will look amazing and you will feel your best. And who doesn’t want to feel the best in their big day?