OMG you’re engaged! Congrats! You’ll undoubtedly be shopping and planning within an inch of your life for the next year or so, but don’t forget to set aside a little “you” time. We all know what stress does to our body, and more specifically our skin! Avoid breakouts, eliminate dry skin and large pores before you say “I do!” We talked to beauty experts (and recent brides!) from some of our favorite companies like Adore Cosmetics, Mullein and Sparrow and Flynn & King to bring you the industry skincare tips you NEED to know the moment you get engaged. Don’t worry, we asked all the heavy hitting Q’s you were thinking.
What should change in your diet pre-wedding?
“Staying hydrated is the key to clear, glowing skin. Drink lots of water and lay off the salty, sweet and fried foods to minimize breakouts,” says beauty expert and recent bride, Hilit Cohen of UHI Cosmetics. “I kept my diet simple with lots of protein and veggies, and of course exercise. Sweat is your best detox.”
“Channeling my mother: you should eat your greens!” says Summer of Flynn & King “Dark, leafy greens like kale, spinach and arugula are high in antioxidants, vitamins, iron and fiber that not only are good for your health, but provide skin and hair with the necessary nutrients for glowing results.” And avocado toast enthusiasts… yes you! You’re in luck. Summer says “avocados are high in Vitamins C and E which go hand in hand in aiding collagen production – keeping skin firm and youthful.” If we had to sum it up? Never skip brunch.
What is a must-have product for engaged ladies to have and to hold?
For much needed relaxation amidst planning your heart out, Mullein and Sparrow founder, Anit Hora recommends Rose Bath Salts. “In a time so full of love but also so overwhelmed by the necessary big day planning and prepping, there is nothing better for a lucky lady to do than to draw a rose bath for herself–taking time out of her day to detox, destress and return a little love to herself.”
My goal was to have clear enough skin that made me feel comfortable to wear it naked, and Vitamin C is definitely a must-have for that.
“An amazing Vitamin C Serum!” says Hilit “this was key in helping me achieve my glowing, clear skin for all my wedding festivities, including my island honeymoon. “My goal was to have clear enough skin that made me feel comfortable to wear it naked, and Vitamin C is definitely a must-have for that.” We hear that. Hilit recommends Adore Cosmetic’s Age Correcting Serum for that natural glow.
“A toner can be used everyday leading up to your wedding” says Summer “after cleansing, use toner on a cotton pad to tone, balance and hydrate your skin. A mist of toner over makeup sets your face, keeping your makeup game on point for longer. A spritz or two throughout the day keeps skin looking radiant and refreshed, and the lovely floral scent uplifts your mood to match that pre-wedding bliss!” We love an all-in-one product. This one is a purse must-have. get it here!
Facials before the wedding? Do or don’t?
“I stuck to my regular monthly facial routine up until the last month. The last facial you get should be no less than a week before with little to no extractions and a focus on gentle, natural peels like enzyme masks” suggests Hilit, recommending the Adore Cosmetics Nu Apple Enzyme Facial Mask. “This really helps create a clear canvas for all the wedding makeup applications throughout your wedding festivities. Avoid the sun like a plague after application and use a strong SPF.”
The last facial you get should be no less than a week before with little to no extractions.
OMG a breakout 2 days before the wedding! Walk us through this.
We hate to say this is common. Two of our experts (and recent brides) battled last-minute breakouts before the Big Day.
Summer says “don’t fret, it’ll only make it worse! Here are a few quick tips on controlling that unwanted weddings guest (and prevent it from getting bigger): don’t obsessively touch your face, drink lots of water to flush out toxins, and use a tee-tree oil as a spot-treatment every night to dry up the pimple and kill bacteria under the skin.” Got it. Must resist the urge to touch!
Don’t obsessively touch your face, drink lots of water to flush out toxins, and use a tee-tree oil as a spot-treatment every night to dry up the pimple and kill bacteria under the skin.
“This actually happened to me, which was my worst nightmare.” recalls Hilit “I think it was a combination of the stress and excitement, but it only added more stress. I continued to cleanse my skin twice daily and then I pulled out my secret weapon, our Kristals Rose Quartz Oil Free Spot Treatment. By dabbing it twice a day as soon as I saw the breakout forming.” Did it work?!
“Thankfully, it helped stop it dead in its tracks and reduce the redness and swelling within a few hours. It is hands down worth every penny. I continued using my other skincare products, but only around my breakout, being careful to not get any on so I would aggravate it anymore. I felt like I was tiptoeing around a monster!” V apt metaphor.
How can brides make sure their skin is glowing and camera-ready the day-of with all that pre-wedding stress?
Hilit recommends one of the trendiest and celeb-loved treatments out there – Adore Cosmetic’s 24K gold magnetic mask. Not a joke. Hilit tells us “it’s our most popular mask, especially among the celebs. It’s a 24K gold magnetic mud mask that works double duty as a cleanser and a luxurious gold treatment.” How does this hollywood mask work exactly? “It penetrates deep into the pores, latching on to any dirt and debris which is then removed by gliding the magnet included in the box over your skin. You can literally see and feel it lifting everything as you work the magnet around your face. Then, it leaves a luscious layer of 24K gold on your skin that I massage in circular motion and leave on for as long as I can.”
Talk about a glow for your wedding day. No need for highlighter! “It is truly the ultimate wedding day mask!” says Hilit “No matter how much skin prepping I did leading up to my wedding day, this mask took my glow to the next level.
Large pores are such a drag with those hi-def cameras on your Big Day. Any advice?
“Absolutely! Regularly using a facial steam and applying a post-steam detoxifying mask act as a magical remedy for this all-too-real worry” recommends Anit Hora. “Steaming opens the pores for deep cleansing and purifying, and a natural clay mask will further serve to refine pores and clear the skin of any deep-rooted impurities.” Anit’s recommended products: Mullein & Sparrow’s clay-based Facial Mask finished with the Rosemary & Clary Sage Facial Serum to minimize pores and balance complexion. Balanced complexion – music to our ears!
For that day-of large pore fix, Hilit recommends using a trusty primer. Her favorite? POREfessional by Benefit. “I have been using it for years and it never fails me. I put it on a few minutes prior to my tinted moisturizer or foundation and it fills in all my pores and leaves a silky layer that makes any product I put it on after glide over without looking cakey.” Cakes are for cutting on your wedding day, not your face.
What should you absolutely NOT do in terms of skincare one week out?
Anit implores us not to switch it up. “Changing up your skincare routine is a definite no-no. Developing a regimen early on for cleansing, toning, and moisturizing is a must–and not deterring from this, even and especially in the chaotic few days leading up to the day, is paramount.”
Changing up your skincare routine is a definite no-no.
We hear that!
Hilit seconds that advice: “I made sure to try every product I wanted to use the week of my wedding no less than a month before so that I wouldn’t have any surprises.”
Dry skin can be a killer for our winter brides out there. How can we set ourselves up for dewy and radiant skin?
Our experts all suggested a very similar regimen for dry winter skin. Can you guess what it is? Exfoliating followed by moisturizing! Check out the tips from our beauty ladies below:
“This is a topic we broach often living in NYC” Summer tells us. “Dry and ruddy skin can be the cherry on top for a serious mood killer when it comes to the winter blues. To prevent this, a combination of a gentle exfoliant with a serious but non-clogging moisturiizur the night before the wedding might be the game changer your skin needs.” Summer suggests Flynn & King’s 100% natural Buff Exfoliant & Mask to get rid of dead skin and their non-comedogenic (non pore-clogging) Dry Oil for moisture.
Exfoliating from head to toe twice a week and layering the hydrating products, starting in the shower. This helps remove any dry skin from the harsh weather and replenish it while your pores are still open and thirsty.
Hilit recommends “Exfoliating from head to toe twice a week and layering the hydrating products, starting in the shower. This helps remove any dry skin from the harsh weather and replenish it while your pores are still open and thirsty.” Hilit is a big fan of coffee scrubs. “They leave my skin feeling smooth and silky and give it a glow. I love using them in the morning because the smell wakes me (and my skin) up.” She highly recommends Callyssee’s Buffing Beans Coffee Scrub for its gentle yet effective exfoliating power. Not to mention it’s all natural! After the scrub? Don’t leave the shower yet, Hilit’s favorite moisturizer is Lush’s in-shower Body Conditioner. Lock in that moisture before you even dry off!
Anit advises exfoliating 1-2 times per week. “I would highly advise using a gentle natural exfoliator like our Sandalwood Cleansing Powder: an Ayurvedic blend of finely milled nutritive flours and grains that lifts impurities and dead skin cells to reveal the skin’s natural radiance beneath. I would recommend applying a moisturizing serum to the face. Our Immortelle & Myrrh Serum, for example, promotes oxygenation and cell rejuvenation–the perfect oil blend to apply for that dewy, effortlessly young and radiant glow.” You had us at dewy.
There you have it ladies! Stay hydrated, exfoliate and try not to let planning take over your entire life. Always leave time for skincare! You can find all of the amazing products our experts recommend below! Happy skincaring!
For Relaxation:
Mullein & Sparrow: Rose Bath Salts
For Toning:
Adore Cosmetics: Vitamin C Age Correcting Serum
Flynn & King: Facial Toner with Aloe & Rose Geranium
For Home Facials:
Adore Cosmetics: Nu Apple Enzyme Facial Mask
For Breakouts:
Kristals: Rose Quartz Oil Free Spot Treatment
For Glowing Skin:
Adore Cosmetics: 24K Golden Touch Magnetic Facial Mask
For Minimizing Pores:
Benefit: POREfessional
Mullein & Sparrow: Facial Mask & Rosemary & Clary Sage Facial Serum
For Exfoliation:
Mullein & Sparrow: Sandalwood Cleansing Powder
Callyssee: Buffing Beans Coffee Scrub
Flynn & King: Buff Exfoliant & Mask
For Moisture:
Mullein & Sparrow: Immortelle & Myrrh Serum
Lush: In-Shower Body Conditioner
Flynn & King: Replenish Dry Body Oil
