You & Your wedding skin!
It takes so much of your time and effort to find that perfect dress, shoes, venue, the right makeup, even the perfumes you want to wear on that day, that it's easy to forget the simple truth - how you look and feel should really start from your own body, your own skin. Sometimes we take things for granted saying "I will be fine", but that can sound like a magic spell that didn't work. Your skin and your general wellbeing won't look after themselves and will need your attention at some point. The worst thing is looking at the wedding photos you paid for and seeing dehydrated skin, painted on glow and tired eyes. No, it is impossible not to stress when your big day is approaching but your skin and your body deserves as much if not more attention than a dress, so let's look into it right now!
But where do we start you may ask... Luckily, I know a few girls, amazing and inspirational professionals who agreed to share a couple of tips on what to do to make sure you and your body are both ready and looking your absolute best.
Internationally published, high end bridal and celebrity make up artists based in London Luciana Oliver says:
"Perfect skin is the best possible canvas for your makeup. And great skin for your wedding day is all in the preparation.
Getting a facial a week before will help to firm and illuminate your complexion. Good diet, sleeping habit and drinking plenty of water is also essential.
Avoid using any harsh or new products before the day! It is also very important booking a makeup trial with a MUA (make up artist). If you develop some great habits during the months or weeks before the wedding, then try to keep up with them to maintain that radiant and clean look, always!"
My name is Luciana Oliver and I’m professional make-up artist based in London. I specialise in Beauty, Bridal, Editorial Fashion and Commercial makeup. I aim to create flawless and unique looks to make my clients stand out from the crowd. I work with best Photographers, Studios and Artists across London, UK and EU. Please be welcome to check my Instagram page for all my recent works @lucianaolivermakeup
Kirsty Jane is one of the biggest rising stars in the aesthetics and beauty industry in Devon, she is usually fully booked weeks ahead but agreed to spare a moment for a quick chat.
"Dermaplane is a must the week before your wedding, as this would prep the skin for a flawless makeup application and give a glowing complexion by removing all dead skin cells and vellus hair. Lash lifts are also fantastic as they are low maintenance, last up to 8 weeks and give the illusion of longer, darker lashes and will give you that glamorous, but natural look.
Also, HD brows are a must! I don’t believe in a one-shape-fits-all ethos. Brows are as individual as fingerprints and so each step of the HD Brows treatment is completely bespoke from the personal consultation, shape design, tailoring and aftercare process. The effects of the treatment usually last around 4-6 weeks so this is perfect for a bride or groom wanting to be prepared and pampered for their big day. Staying hydrated and drinking plenty of water on the run up to your wedding day will keep your mood good, your skin glowing and your energy levels high."
Kirsty Jane Aesthetics & Beauty is based at Fabulash Supersalon in Paignton. See more at www.kjaesthetics.co.uk
Let's not forget about nutrition, what you put into your body is important all year round but can you afford to be bloated and feeling heavy, unwell on your wedding day?
"I’ve been working as a Personal Trainer and Nutritionist for 12 years (www.sarahoneill.co.uk), and have always loved working with brides and helping them get into great shape for their big days" says Sarah.
"My top 10 ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’ from a nutritional perspective in the run up to the big day…
1. Don’t overdo it!
Unfortunately, many brides feel such pressure to look a certain way on their wedding day that they commit to a punishing diet and exercise regime that leaves them looking gaunt and feeling listless. Remember you want to look like YOU on your wedding day, and not a starved scarecrow! You won’t ‘glow’ if you’re undernourished, and you’ll also be making your life harder by under-eating: by eating too few calories we slow down our metabolic rate making it harder to stay slim and cause huge weight gain on return to ‘normal eating’. Make sure you eat somewhere between your basal metabolic rate (BMR) and your daily calorie needs (and NEVER beneath your BMR) for a sensible and sustainable rate of weight loss. You can see these figures on my website: www.sarahoneill.co.uk/nutrition
2. Don’t over-reward exercise
It is much easier to take in calories than to burn them off, and one of the biggest pitfalls of beginning an exercise regime is over-rewarding the sessions with high calorie ‘treats’ with a sense that we’ve earned them. Weight loss is 2/3 diet 1/3 exercise, so thinking about improving your diet is essential if you are hoping to lose weight for the big day.
3. Don’t sabotage your wedding body with booze…
Be mindful of alcohol as a major source of calories – alcohol contains 7kcals/g, almost twice that within carbohydrate and protein (4kcals/g), and almost as much as fat (9kcals/g) plus it has no nutritional benefit. Moreover, it is a lean muscle inhibitor, meaning it could be sabotaging your hard work on the training front, and since it encourages fat storage round the middle, it is the top contributor to a Beer Belly! If you do want to drink opt for gin and slim or vodka fresh lime and soda which contain 50kcals as opposed to pints (c200-250kcals), wine (c150-200kcals) or cocktails (200kcals+).
4. DO think about making small changes…
It takes 3 weeks to make a new habit so just introduce one small change at a time, bed it down and then think about something else. For example, you might want to focus on taking a lunch box to work 3 days a week as a starting point, or switching your sandwiches for salads most days, or eating something different for breakfast. You could try these ‘most days’ of the week but keep a couple of days back so it doesn’t feel overwhelming.
5. DO write a food diary
This can be SO illuminating. So often we eat mindlessly and take in a lot more than we realise. Writing a food diary can help you figure out the times of day you slip up and therefore workout out some strategies to mitigate that.
6. DO think about eating MORE and not LESS but more of the right stuff. I often encourage people to simply think about increasing their fruit and veg consumption (mainly veg). From this one small step you have a transformed plate: eggs and greens or fruit salad and yoghurt instead of toast at breakfast, a huge salad instead of a sandwich, a dinner plate loaded with colourful vegetables….Plus you’ll gain tons of vitamins and minerals to support your exercise, get glowing skin and keep you fit and healthy in a super busy period.
7. Do DRINK! If you struggle to take in enough water pop a glass bottle on your desk and monitor that you consume it during the day. You can add mint, lemon, lime or other fruits to increase palatability and make you drink more. I love the FruitInfusions bottles for handy on the go tasty water!
8. Do PLAN your eating. I always say failure to plan is the best friend of the vending machine. Many of my most successful clients have been rattling with Tupperware on their way to work every day. Come well prepared with healthy snacks (pre-portioned) and a lunch box every day. Make double portions at dinner time. Prepare overnight oats. Boil up eggs for the week as handy snacks. It takes less time and effort if you’ve pre-prepared what you’re eating as opposed to shopping every day!
9. Do be realistic about the timeframe
Healthy weight loss is 0.5 to 2 pounds a week, so if you have a lot of weight to lose make sure you start far enough out in order that you can achieve this in a healthy sustainable way. Use tape measures as well as scales so you can monitor inches lost, as sometimes the scales can be misleading as muscle weighs more than fat.
10. Do ENJOY THIS! Don’t think about ‘dieting’ or ‘missing out’ but think about your engagement as an opportunity to bed down healthy attitudes so that you enter married life in the best shape of your life. This is a reward for your body to become the healthiest version of you, so make sure you enjoy the feeling of eating sensibly and healthily. Enjoy cooking and eating delicious fresh food, and the increased energy and vitality it delivers!"
If you have any comments or questions feel free to get in touch!
