I'm sure you're sick and tired of hearing about Kim Kardashian and Kanye West's wedding–trust me, I am too! But did you notice how stunning she looked on the big day? That's because she didn't wait for the day-of to get her bridal beauty prepping on. According to reports, Kim had a $550 facial done weeks before the wedding and considering how flawless she looked, I'm pretty she sure she had a hair conditioning treatment, extensions put in and a spray tan done too. No one (not even celebs), wake up looking that great on their wedding day without a little prepping done beforehand!
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I'm newly engaged myself and I'm already testing things out for the day of my wedding (as crazy as that sounds). That's because looking good on the big day requires a lot of time, devotion and self-pampering. Don't even think for a second that you can get all your beauty prepping done the day-of or even the night before. If you do, you're in for a big, ugly surprise. Here are a few beauty tips every bride should use WAY before her wedding day!
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Book a few facials
Don't get facials regularly? Then you might want to book a few leading up to your wedding day. I recommend booking one six months before the wedding and then another three months before the wedding. Make sure you give yourself enough time in advance because sometimes facials can leave your skin a little blotchy, red and even irritated for a while. Most of us Latinas struggle with manchas or some form of hyperpigmentation so I'd recommend getting the "bright' stuff facial at any Bliss spa near you. This thing lightened my dark spots, evened my skin and left me with a gorgeous glow. Then a few days before the wedding do an at-home face mask to help unclog pores, absorb oil and soothe skin. I love H2O Aqualibrium Sea Mineral Mud Mask ($25). It left my face looking radiant!
Get a dental cleaning
You should be getting a deep dental cleaning every six months anyway, but see if you can schedule one closer to your wedding date. I'd say like a month or two in advance. In-office bleaching treatments are great but can get costly. Try the Sonic Blue Teeth Whitening System ($129). It's a high-performance electric toothbrush that contains blue light wavelengths coming from the brush head that effectively removes stains. It also comes complete with a whitening gel with hyperox technology that you can add to your regular toothpaste every morning and night. I'm telling you, after just two days I noticed a drastic difference. I'm hooked!
See your derm
Book an appointment with your derm before you even start getting your facials done, to see if you have any skin problems like acne, blemishes or irritation that need to be addressed. Find a skincare regimen that works for you and use products that are going to help brighten your complexion. Have manchas? Try Estée Lauder Clear Difference Advanced Blemish Serum ($54) and apply at night under an oil-free moisturizer. If dry, dull skin is your problem, check out Laura Mercier Flawless Skin Multi-Vitamin Serum ($72). It's packed with vitamin A, C, and E to re-energize, brighten and smooth skin.
Find a good makeup artist
Even if you're amazing at doing your own makeup, I suggest you book a professional for the day of. You never know if your nerves might get the best of you. Try finding one at least six months before the wedding and do a trial run. I also think it's smart to get your own makeup in advance, at least your foundation anyway. Try Diorskin Nude Natural Glow Radiant Foundation SPF 15 ($50). It leaves skin radiant, natural-looking and with a velvety finish. It also comes in a ton of shades!
Do a hair treatment
Salon hair treatments can get pricey. Do an at-home hair conditioning mask a few days before the wedding to help hydrate and strengthen strands. Try Drybar Mudslide Nourishing Hair Mask ($38). It works wonders!
Get your hair done the day before
Washing and styling your hair the day-of is a no-no. Fresh hair can hardly hold a style for more than an hour or so. Instead, get your hair washed and blown out the night before, so that way all your stylist needs to do the day of the wedding is create your style. Your hair's natural oils will help add grip and keep the look in place all night. If your roots feel extra greasy the morning after, spritz on some dry shampoo, like Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo Powder Spray ($25).
Keep your skin soft
Buy a gentle body scrub months before the wedding and make sure to exfoliate from head-to-toe at least once a week. Always apply a generous amount of body lotion (or body oil) while your skin is still damp to help lock-in moisture. And don't be afraid to pamper yourself with a fancy one the week of the wedding. I love Laura Mercier Body & Bath Creme de Pistache Scrub ($50). It's pricey but worth every cent!
Book your mani/pedis
The last thing you want to do is book your mani/pedi at the last minute. Request the day before your wedding off from work and call and make an appointment for that day, weeks in advance. Also, if you struggle with dry, cracked heels, apply petroleum jelly every night to your feet months before the wedding and lock in moisture by immediately slipping on socks before bed. I also really like the Clarisonic Pedi Sonic Foot Transformation Kit ($200).
Get a tan
You know the drill, chica, there's no such thing as a healthy tan unless it comes from a self-tanner. If you plan on sporting a fake tan, make sure you go for a test run a few months before the wedding to make sure you're content with the color. If all goes well, book the spray tan for two to three days before the big day. Or try an at-home gradual self-tanner that you can start applying days before like St. Tropez Gradual Tan Everyday Body ($30).
