 Your Step-By-Step Bridal Beauty Plan
Monthly, Weekly & Daily.....Follow these head-to-toe beauty tips leading up to your wedding day and you are guaranteed to be glowing with radiance.
Your Hair
Once a month:
Show your locks a little tenderness with a deep conditioning treatment. It'll help mend ends and fortify your strands while making them silky smooth -- and, come on, like you'll really mind just sitting still and doing nothing for 10 minutes!
Once a week:
Give your hair a rest! All that drying, styling and, yes, even shampooing has been causing it some serious stress. If you feel you can't go even one day without at least a good scrub, use a shampoo that's formulated for frequent use.
Once a day:
If you're a blow-dryer (or flatiron) junkie, protect your locks first. A protecting treatment adds shine and strength while controlling frizz. A dab'll do you when it comes to protecting your tender ends.
At least once:
Get a trim to remove your dead ends and clean up your cut. If you do this only once, do it a week before your wedding.
Your Face
Once a month:
This isn't for sensitive types, but for the rest of us, an at-home peel may be just the thing to clear out dead, dull skin cells, and make way for a radiant face. The key is to keep it moving -- work in a circular motion to cover your whole face, and don't focus on one spot for more than a few seconds.
Once a week:
Purge pores with a deep-cleaning mask. Choose the right formula for your face; an exfoliating mask that doubles as a scrub is ideal to slough off dry skin, while a clay-based mask will minimize pores and help reduce shine on oily complexions.
Once a day:
Keeping your face clean is a no-brainer, but make sure you protect your investment with a good moisturiser. It's a must whether your skin's dry or oily. Look for a moisturiser that is formulated for your complexion and is at least SPF 30 (read the fine print too—you want broad UVA and UVB coverage). Take special care around your eyes, where the skin is more delicate. Use a cream or gel that's made just for this sensitive skin, which will moisturize, brighten, and send your under-eye bags packing.
At least once:
Get a facial. A professional skin expert will be able to clean you up, clear you out, and also identify (and help troubleshoot) skin problems. So don't just lie there -- speak up, ask questions, and find out what you should add to (or skip) in your beauty routine, what kinds of ingredients you should be looking for to suit your skin type, and plenty of other insider info.
Your Body
Once a month:
Defuzz with a visit to your friendly neighborhood salon. To take some of the sting out of waxing, pop a pain reliever and drink a glass of water before you head out, and try to avoid scheduling services when you're premenstrual (you'll be way too tender).
Once a week:
Say sayonara to scaly skin. Hop in the shower for some serious exfoliation. Clearing out dry, dead cells will help skin stay rejuvenated. You’ll be glowing in no time.
Once a day:
Keep your glow going with a daily head-to-toe lotion rubdown. During the warmer months, look for a lighter formula that's spiked with an SPF of at least 30.
At least once:
Hit the spa. A little posh pampering is ultrarelaxing, and there are some beauty routines (like a back facial or a full Brazilian waxing) that you just can't DIY. Indulge yourself with at least one tempting treatment -- you won't regret it.
Your Hands & Feet
Once a month:
Get a professional manicure and pedicure to ensure your hands and feet look great. Plus (bonus!) you'll always be prepared to show off your engagement ring. You'll feel especially wedding-ready in a classic pale pink.
Once a week:
Show those tootsies some tough love. Slough off any dead or dry skin with a foot scrub.
Once a day:
Make a habit of hand cream. Even if your hands aren't dryness-prone, a little deluxe treatment for your digits can't hurt. Tuck a tube of it in your purse.
At least once:
Yes, it's kind of creepy -- and definitely squishy. But spending the night deep moisturizing your hands and feet (inside socks and gloves) will enrich your skin and leave it unbelievably moist. Take out some of the ick factor by picking up a product just for this purpose.
By Kate Wood
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