Body Maintenance Schedule for Brides-To-Be
The following "Body Maintenance" schedule is a guideline for Brides-to-be wanting to look radiant on their wedding day. I realize the amount of work below is comparable to a full-time job, but the point is to pick and choose what's important to you, and of course what your time and budget allow. The three things I would not skip are skincare, teeth whitening, and brow grooming.Those three are essential to a flawless face. Now get to work!
THE CHECK LIST FOR BRIDES-TO-BE:
6 MONTHS PRIORBODY. If you don’t exercise already, now is the time to start a regular exercise routine, even if it’s only walking 30
minutes three to five days a week. The increased heart rate along with the oxygen intake is essential for body and skin
health.
HAIR. If your goal is to have beautiful flowing tresses or an intricate “up do,” start growing your hair out now. Tip: take
a biotin supplement for an extra boost.
SKIN. Start on a professional skin care routine. This routine should be for your personal skin type and condition(s). If
you’re not sure what skin type you are or what conditions need to be treated, you should see an esthetician for a full skin
analysis. Your skincare routine should include:
Daily
- Cleanse (preferably with a Clarisonic® or similar device)
- Tone
- Serum (to correct or repair)
- Moisturize or Hydrate with SPF
- Exfoliate
- Mask
4 MONTHS PRIOR
SKIN. Start a monthly or bi-monthly professional facial routine.
4-2 MONTHS PRIOR
SKIN. If you have specific skin concerns such as hyperpigmentation (brown spots) or acne, this is a good time to start a series of chemical peels to help correct those issues.
HAIR. For healthy, shiny hair, a deep conditioning treatment with scalp massage can be done monthly from here on out.
TEETH. Schedule a professional teeth cleaning.
1 MONTH PRIOR
TEETH. Time to whiten! Depending on your method, getting your teeth a few shades whiter could take up to a month.
3 WEEKS PRIOR
HAIR. Schedule a trim to remove the dead ends, and if you color or highlight, go ahead and freshen that up as well.
SKIN. Be sure to either schedule a facial this week or take some time to give yourself a home facial. The facial this week needs to be exfoliating and extra hydrating (this will help diminish any fine lines), and don’t forget to include your lips!
BROWS. See a brow specialists to groom and shape your eyebrows, and if you have dark hair on your upper lip, be sure that is removed as well.
NAILS. Mani/pedi this week, yay! Go with the gel for major longevity.
2-3 DAYS PRIOR
BODY. This is the best time to get your spray tan. Remember, the day before you spray tan, exfoliate your entire body with a granular scrub, shave, and then follow with a body cream. The day of your tan, it’s best to go with clean unmoisturized skin.
THE NIGHT BEFORE
You will probably be tired and perhaps a tad overwhelmed on the night before your wedding, so I won’t give you too much homework. But the one thing I do want you to do is please be sure to wash your face that night. If you feel like going above and beyond that, you could sleep in a hydrating mask, or if you are broken out, use a spot treatment for the flare-ups.
And of course, throughout this process, stay hydrated and get plenty of sleep. In terms of water consumption, you should be drinking half your body weight in ounces a day. Keep this mind in on the days leading up to your wedding.
Jessica Shefsick is owner of Bride’s Side Beauty and licensed esthetician.
