Wedding beauty countdown
If there's one thing Beauty Belle Sarah Jagger has learnt from the 15 years that she's spent making up brides on their wedding day, it’s that beautiful bridal make-up starts with a glowing complexion and finishes with long lasting products that will withstand a long day - and perhaps a few (happy) tears too.
Her advice is always to start preparing your skin a few months before the wedding day. Read on for her guide to ultimate beauty prep regime before your big day.
3 Months Before: Prepare your skin with a serious facial
The best way to take years off the skin and leave it looking its most radiant is to treat yourself to a series of facials using serious skincare techniques. I’m a huge advocate of laser facials, whereby a gentle laser is used to subtly lift, tighten and smooth the entire complexion, from removing broken capillaries to collagen stimulation. The facialist that I always recommend to my bridal clients is Debbie Thomas in London. Best results are seen after a series of six facials prior to your wedding, but a one-off session with Debbie a few days before the big event is still enough to make a noticeable difference to any complexion.
For a DIY laser facial, try the Tria Skin Rejuvenating Laser (£450). This hand held laser rejuvenation device may come at a high price, but it does deliver a truly professional treatment in the comfort of your home. It improves texture, smooth’s fine lines and wrinkles, and reduces age and sun related discolouration. A great one to share with the mother of the bride or bridesmaids to have you all looking radiant for the big day (and it's something you can continue to use forever!).
1 Month Before: Teeth whitening
A white smile looks great in wedding photos, and is one of the best skin-brightening and anti-ageing tricks that I know. Dr. Oliver Whitening Wands come in a pack of two (£45) and gently whiten the teeth up to seven shades lighter. Simply paint the gel onto clean teeth and get on with your day - no trays or lights necessary. As this is a gradual use product, I would recommend you commence in the weeks leading up to the wedding.
1 Week Before: Body preparation
For those that want a healthy glow self tans work a treat, but I find spray tans can be too dark and unnatural looking in contrast to a white dress. I recommend opting for a gradual tanner like St Tropez Gradual Tan Everyday in Light/Medium (£14.30), which I think gives the most natural and streak-free bronze. Remember to exfoliate before your first application, focusing on dry knees and elbows. Then simply reapply tan every two days until you reach your desired shade.
1 Day Before: Skin mask
The best way to ensure a glowing complexion on your wedding day is to use a mask the night before. I adore the Guinot Instant Radiance Mask (£19.95), which contains mint and eucalyptus oils to refresh the skin while AHAs eliminate dead skin cells on the surface. This mask also contains lifting, firming and hydrating complexes for a more ‘plumped’ complexion.
The Big Day: Skin preparation
In the morning exfoliate the face with a vigorous scrub to really get the circulation thriving. I like Goldfaden MD Doctor's Scrub (£65) for the ultimate skin brightening and squeaky-clean skin.
Follow with a facial oil used either beneath your moisturiser or on its own. Every time I use Rodial Stemcell Superfood Facial Oil (£60) on my clients' skin I’m always amazed at the way it transforms even the driest, dullest complexions into hydrated, glowing skin instantly. Rich in antioxidants and including the latest in anti-ageing skincare technology (to speedily increase cell turnover), this is a facial oil you’ll want to use everyday…and tell all your friends about, too!
The Big Day: Flawless make-up
I recommend ultra durable Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Even Finish Foundation (£30), which is a gel based, oil free foundation with alightweight finish that lasts in even the most humid conditions. Estee Lauder Double Wear Concealer (£21) is my go-to wedding concealer, it gives perfect coverage, doesn’t settle in lines and lasts all day.
A great eye primer is going to ensure that eye make-up doesn’t budge or crease. My favourite is NARS Pro Prime (£19).
Waterproof mascara is an essential, too, and that goes for the mother of the bride and bridesmaids as well. Try Max Factor Masterpiece Waterproof (£9.99).
Keep blush and bronzer looking fresh and radiant with Hourglass Illume Crème to Powder Duo in Sunset (£40) And to make lip colour last, choose a long lasting lipstick like YSL Rouge Pur Couture Glossy Lip Stain (£23.50), which is a gloss, lipstick and stain all in one. Don’t forget to give the make-up to your maid of honour for safe keeping on the day. I love the rich, vibrant yet wearable pink of Baby Doll.
Looking for more beauty advice? Tweet Sarah your make-up and skincare questions @sarahjaggerink with the hashtag #TMbeautybelles