5 DO's and DON'Ts to preparing your skin and hair for your big day
Your wedding day is the culmination of months (or even years!) of planning, and when it comes to your look, you want everything to be absolutely perfect. From your hair and makeup to glowing skin, the right prep can make all the difference. We’ve rounded up 5 essential do’s and don’ts for preparing your hair and skin for your wedding day, let’s dive in!
5 Hair Do’s for Your Wedding Day
1. Make Sure Your Hair is Clean from Roots to Ends
Clean hair is key to great styling. Wash your hair the night before or the morning of your wedding to avoid any oils at the roots. This will help your stylist create a flawless look full of volume and bouncy curls.
2. Cut and Colour Your Hair Before Your Trial
If you’re planning to change your hair colour or cut before the wedding, do it before your trial! This will allow you to see exactly how your wedding day look will be and how you feel in it. It will also save you in having to book another trial to see how minor adjustments; like adding framing pieces, after your trial would be for your final look. Also, if your thinking of adding hair extensions to your look, bring them to your trial or have them installed before your trial date to see how they work with your bridal style.
**For more insight on extensions, click on our blog “To Extend or Not to Extend” for more helpful tips from our Extension Specialist Paulina.
3. Do a Scalp and Hair Treatment
A scalp and hair treatment a few weeks before your wedding or the week of your wedding will leave your hair in top shape. These treatments help to hydrate, strengthen, and improve the texture of your hair, making it easier to style and giving it that extra shine.
4. Wash and Dry Your Hair Extensions Before Your Wedding Day
If you’re ordering clip in hair extensions, make sure they’re washed and dried ahead of time. Freshly ordered and straight from the box, have a coating on them that will need to be removed. This coating makes your extensions look and feel shiny and soft but doesn’t help your stylist create long lasting looks or achieve a seamless blend. A couple washes with your shampoo and pea size amount of conditioner will get your extensions to a workable condition for your stylist and will mimic your own hair more naturally.
5. Oil your Scalp / Hair Mask
Providing oil treatments to your scalp and doing periodic hair masks leading up to your wedding, can improve the health and appearance of your hair. Oil treatments containing Rosemary, Castor, Argon, Jojoba can help with hair growth and moisturise the scalp; leaving your hair looking fuller, longer and more nourished. Making your hair look and feel more luscious for your wedding day. But, do not oil or use leave in masks or conditioners on the night before your wedding. Read more on this below.
5 Hair Don’ts for Your Wedding Day
1. Don’t Do Oil Treatments or Use Leave-In Hair Treatments the Day Before Your Wedding
While oils and leave-in treatments can be glorious for your hair, avoid using them the day before your wedding. These products can weigh your hair down and make it harder for your stylist to work with. Stick to your usual routine and save the treatments for a few weeks before the big day.
2. Don’t Straighten Your Hair Before Your Appointment
This is for our curly, wavy, textured hair ladies– if you're wanting a smoother version of your naturally curly haired locks and really get it smooth at the roots; it's best to smooth your hair out with a blow dryer and a round brush (with boar bristles) and leave the rest of the smoothing for your stylist. I know it's tempting to want to run a straightening iron through it, giving it the ultra smooth look but it will run the potential of preventing your desired curled style from holding and here's why: hot tools change your hair's shape by temporarily breaking and reforming the natural bonds (keratin) within your hair, which allows your hair to "remember" a new style or shape. Smoothing the hair shaft with a straightening iron, will create the memory of straight/flat hair until you wash it and heat-style it again. Curling the hair after being ironed straight previously will result in your hair eventually falling back into its originally memorized heat signature of straight hair. So if you're feeling like you're blown out, smooth-ish hair needs more managing before your appointment; braid it into a low ponytail or comfortably clip it up into a large clamp until your styling appointment; for best results.
3. Don’t Cut Your Hair Shorter After Your Trial
Once you’ve had your trial, don’t make any drastic changes to the length of your hair. If you cut it shorter, your stylist may not be able to achieve the look you’ve already tried and loved during your trial. Stick to the length that was decided on or rebook another trial to make sure your style is just right for your big day
4. Don’t Buy Hair Extensions Substantially Longer Than Your Natural Hair
When choosing extensions, avoid getting ones that are significantly longer than your natural hair. It’s important that your extensions blend naturally, so keep the length close to your own hair for a seamless and natural look.
5. Don’t Arrive with Natural Oil or Oily Product Build Up at the Roots
Arriving with oil at the roots of your hair can make it difficult for your stylist to add volume or create your desired texture. In some cases, it could even cause your hair to burn if hot tools are used. Make sure your hair is clean and oil-free at the roots for optimal styling.
5 Skin Prep Do’s for Your Wedding Day
1. Get a Facial 2-3 Weeks Before Your Wedding
Schedule a facial 2-3 weeks before your wedding to give your skin time to adjust and recover. Consider a lymphatic drainage facial, which helps reduce puffiness, adds contour, and gives your skin a radiant glow for your big day.
2. Exfoliate and Hydrate Your Skin
Exfoliating and hydrating your skin in the weeks leading up to your wedding will ensure your complexion is smooth and glowing. A gentle exfoliation removes dead skin cells, while proper hydration keeps your skin looking fresh and youthful.
3. Keep Your Skincare Routine Simple
Stick to a simple skincare routine in the weeks before your wedding to avoid any irritation. Focus on cleansing, moisturizing, and using a gentle toner. If you’ve been using any new or experimental products, now’s not the time to risk skin irritation.
4. Drink Lots of Water and Eliminate Foods That Can Cause Bloating, Inflammation, and Water Retention
Keep your skin looking its best by hydrating from the inside out. Drink plenty of water to flush out toxins, and avoid foods that cause bloating, inflammation, or water retention, such as excess salt, sugary foods, and alcohol. A clean, balanced diet will help your skin look brighter and clearer on your wedding day.
5. Use Hydrating and De-Puffing Eye Creams or Masks
If you’re prone to puffy eyes or dark circles, use hydrating eye creams or masks the week before your wedding. These products can help reduce puffiness and provide a fresh, awake look. Cooling ice globes are a soothing and relaxing way to pamper a de-puff your face and under eyes.
5 Skin Prep Don’ts for Your Wedding Day
1. Don’t Do Any Extreme Facial Procedures or Medical Injections Close to Your Wedding Day
Avoid any intense facial procedures, like chemical peels, or medical injections (like Botox or fillers) close to your wedding day. These treatments can sometimes cause swelling, redness, or bruising, and you don’t want any surprises right before your big day. Schedule them well in advance to give your skin time to settle.
2. Don’t Use Hot Wax for Your Eyebrows or Upper Lips the Week of Your Wedding
Hot wax can sometimes cause irritation or burns, especially in sensitive areas like your eyebrows or upper lip. Instead, opt for sugar waxing, which is much gentler and also exfoliates the skin, leaving it smooth and soft without the risk of burns.
3. Don’t Use At-Home Tanning Products the Week of Your Wedding
Skip the at-home self-tanning products the week before your wedding, as they can lead to streaks, uneven colour and can run the risk of staining your hands and palms. Instead, book a professional spray tan for a flawless, even glow that’s customized to your skin tone and gives you the perfect sun-kissed look.
4. Don’t Use SPF on the Day of Your Wedding
Avoid using sunscreen on your wedding day, as it can create a white cast in photos. Instead, use makeup containing a low but effective SPF to protect your skin throughout the day or opt for a tinted moisturizer with built-in sun protection.
5. Avoid Oil-Based Skincare Products
Oil-based skincare products can sometimes make your makeup slide off or feel greasy throughout the day. Stick to lightweight, non-oily products to keep your skin balanced and leave your oil based products for your night time routine; at least for your wedding day.
With these do’s and don’ts, you’ll be on the right track to glowing, flawless skin and perfectly styled hair on your wedding day. Proper preparation is the key to achieving your dream bridal look, so give yourself plenty of time to take care of your skin and hair. You’ll feel confident, beautiful, and ready for your big day — from the moment you step into your bridal suite to the final toast at the reception!
“Keep it simple! and if you're not sure, always reach out to your beauty team for advice. We are here to guide you in the right direction”
— Mel Quigg
