I had the pleasure of having my makeup done by the wonderfully talented Leanne over at Leanne Marie Makeup & Beauty. She has kindly offered to share with us her must know tips for having wedding perfect skin.
1. SKIN
If you have a skin care routine then stick to it! Don’t try to change it up, especially if you are coming up close to your wedding day, you don’t want to try anything new that may cause irritation to your skin. To maintain perfect skin you will need to cleanse, tone and moisturise (CTM) regularly, if you don’t already do this then start no later than 6 months before your big day!
Cleansing – removes makeup, dead skin cells, oil, dirt and pollutants.
Toning – removes any excess cleanser and restores the skin back to its natural ph level.
Moisturiser – adds moisture into the skin, it prevents the skin drying out and if it contains sunscreen it will add protection against sun damage.
So you can see why it is important to do all three…CTM in that order!!
I personally have combination skin which I find is most common and these are the products I use and recommend for this particular skin type.
CLEANSER – Glossier / Milk jelly conditioning face wash – £15 or £8 for a travel size.
https://www.glossier.com/products/milky-jelly-cleanser?search=milk%20jelly
I also use a nifty little device called a FOREO that helps to really give my skin a deep cleanse along with my cleanser I love it! – £29 (size of a cotton pad, larger options available)
TONER – The ordinary – Glycolic acid toning solution.
(This is not recommended for sensitive or broken skin) / £6.80 for 250ml!
https://www.cultbeauty.co.uk/the-ordinary-glycolic-acid-7-toning-solution.html
MOISTURISER – Kiehl’s ultra facial cream / £25.50 for 50ml.
https://www.kiehls.co.uk/skin-care/category/moisturisers/ultra-facial-cream/622.html
If you have any skin concerns I would recommend seeing a skin care specialist 12 months before your wedding date to get you on the right track.
2. EXFOLIATE
You should give your skin what I call a deep clean at least once a week, this is when I incorporate an exfoliator into my usual routine before I start my CTM. I use a light cleanser as I find some are too gritty and can cause irritation so you do need to find one that works for you. I use the Clean and Clear brightening face scrub, it is very gentle it’s even gentle enough to use every day if you wish!
It contains lemon and papaya extracts with bursting beads that help brighten and energise your skin.
Clean And Clear Brightening Scrub / currently £3 in Tesco for 150ml.
3. EXFOLIATE SOME MORE!
This sounds strange and takes a bit of getting into but the difference it will make to your lips especially on your wedding day will make it worth it and also help to make your lipstick stay on throughout the day.
You will need – a standard toothbrush and either a lip scrub, I use the Lush bubblegum lip scrub it’s so yummy!
Or you can mix two teaspoons of caster sugar with one teaspoon of honey.
And lastly your fave lip balm, I use the classic Vaseline.
Step one – apply a layer of lip balm.
Step two – take a toothbrush and lightly scrub your lip in a circular motion.
Step three – using your finger gently apply your scrub and rub in again using a circular motion.
Step four – gently wipe or lick away!!
Link for the Lush bubblegum lip scrub (also comes in honey, mint, chocolate or cherry!) / £6.50 for a 25g pot
https://uk.lush.com/products/think-pink/bubblegum
4. TANNING
Do not panic tan 2 days before your big day! This should always be thought about prior to your wedding and be prepared for it!
Think about applying your tan before your wedding makeup trial, makeup can look very different with/without fake tan so keep this in mind.
Trial the tan a few times in the lead up to your wedding to make sure you are happy with the outcome. If you are having a professional spray tan go for a trial run, try to time it for when you have an occasion or like I said when you have your makeup trial, be sure to check for any areas where your tan may of ran a little – you don’t want it transferring onto your dress!
Preparation for a tan is the absolute key!
A smooth base is the best base! Wax at least 48 hours and shave at least 24 hours before applying. Maintain your skin’s hydration, Make sure that you moisturise your skin in the days leading up to your tan application.
If you don’t want to jump into a spray tan or full application of a deep tan then I highly recommend a gradual tan which you can build up, I use these all the time for a daily light glow and more frequently when I have an occasion coming up for a deeper tan.
For a quick overnight deep tan I use
Fake Bake Original / £26.95 for 170ml
For a medium gradual tan I use
Vita Liberata Fabulous Self Tanning Gradual Lotion / £15 for 200ml
5. AVOID THE SUN!
There is absolutely nothing worse than being sunburnt, the feeling, the redness, the flakey peeling skin that may occur! It’s just not worth it.
If it is super sunny in the lead up to your day or you are going away close to
your wedding day then be cautious, look after your skin, Wear a high SPF.
6. NAILS
Don’t get your nails done too early! You don’t want to rush a chip at the last minute so book an appointment for around 2 days before your wedding and let everyone else do the heavy lifting!
7. BROWS
Getting your brows done is an absolute must! you won’t believe the difference it makes to your eye makeup application, your makeup artist will love you! Again don’t do this too early though, but sometimes a wax can cause slight irritation to the skin so make sure if you haven’t been waxed before you trial this out! If you can combine your brow appointment with your nail appointment around 2 days before the big day you are wedding ready! If it does cause slight irritation have them done a week before to allow them to settle.
8. WATER , WATER, WATER
Drink it and loads of it! Water not only hydrates you and your body but your skin and helps give a radiate glow, drinking 8 glasses a day will help rid the body and skin of toxins, drinking plenty of water can help prevent health problems like dehydration and migraines which you definitely don’t want on your wedding day.
9. SLEEP
Another big tip towards your beauty needs is beauty sleep and it is absolutely a thing!!
Your body repairs itself and recovers while you sleep, and that leads to benefits to your looks! The key is to get enough sleep, between 7 – 9 hours each night.
If you’re getting fewer than 6 hours, it’s likely to affect your appearance like puffy dark eyes or a dull complexion.
Your body boosts blood flow to the skin while you snooze, which means with enough hours you wake up with a healthy glow and brighter, less puffy eyes.
10. A GOOD EYE CREAM
That takes me nicely onto one of my favourite products in my skin care cupboard, my eye cream!
My holy grail – Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream, It is the best and trust me I have tried many!
Copied from their website description – Late night? Long flight? Look tired all the time? Prepare to become one of the perky people!
I love that! I am defo one of those perky peoples now, you really can notice a difference straight away and you can compare one eye with to one without its amazing! pop to one of their counters to try it out or grab a sample, you won’t be disappointed. This eye cream contains caffeine from coffee beans and natural optic brighteners to instantly wake you up making it perfect to use on your wedding morning!
Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream / £22 15ml pot
https://www.feelunique.com/p/Origins-GinZing-Refreshing-Eye-Cream-to-Brighten-and-Depuff-15ml11
11. DERMAPLANING
If you haven’t heard of this treatment, google it right now! straight from the hollywood hills it is now one of the best facial treatments you can have for super smooth skin.
It is a method of physical exfoliation, a surgical scalpel is used to gently “shave” the skin’s surface, removing the top-most layer of dead skin along with fine, fuzzy (peachy) hair. I HIGHLY recommend this facial 2/3 days before your wedding day. If you wish to book your facial along with the included cleanse, tone, moisturiser and mask, I would suggest a trial run of this treatment 6 months before to rule out any outbreaks or reactions to the products, But You can have this without a full facial just enquire with your beautician for advise.
12. HAIR
I think I have saved one of the best products until last, it’s my all time fave hair mask. You really want to look after your hair in the lead up to your big day, you don’t want dry brittle hair, you want silky smooth and it to be in good condition. I have really struggled to find a hair mask that really works for me, I have thick, wavy DRY hair but since talking to my friends and clients about this product even those with thin wispy hair love it and it works for them! It is the – Moroccan oil Intense Hydrating Mask. I pop it on for 5 to 15 mins once a week and it instantly improves your hair’s texture, elasticity, shine and manageability annnnnnd smells so so good to!
Moroccan oil Intense Hydrating Mask / £25.45 for 250ml tub
I offer all the above services (brow waxing, tanning, dermaplaning ect) I also offer a pre bridal package or I can put together a personalised package that works for you to get you WEDDING READY!
Thank you for reading, I hope you have picked up some good advice and tips!
Leanne xx
https://www.leannemarie.co.uk/
