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6 Month Wedding Countdown: How to Prep Your Skin & Body by the Month

By Mollysims.com

As an upcoming bride, getting your skin walk down the aisle-approved can seem like a daunting task, however, we can all agree that good skin is a necessary asset for obtaining that bridal glow. When you get engaged, you’re essentially giving yourself a skincare deadline. That means everything from facial upkeep to body care and we are giving you a detailed list of what you’ll need and when to do it. Because when it comes to one of the most important days of your life, we want to ensure that you feel confident and glowing from ceremony to reception.

Our editors have done the research and created a 6-month wedding countdown to prep your skin and body.

6 MONTHS OUT

1. Meet with your Dermatologist.

Start regular facial appointments with your dermatologist at least 6 months from your wedding day. Microdermabrasion, LED Facials and Chemical Peels are all great treatments that can help with the overall consistency of your skin (note how your skin reacts to each facial and how long it takes for it to recover).

Skin takes 28 days to cycle through and recover, so it’s important to make sure you have your last treatment at least a month before your wedding day. You don’t want to run into any redness or breakouts in the weeks leading up to your wedding.

2. Revamp your skincare routine.

When you meet with your dermatologist, decide on a strict skincare plan. Consistency is key when it comes to skincare, and now is the time to revamp your daily/nightly regime. Depending on your skin type incorporate ingredients like:

• Vitamin C for brightness and glow,
• Hyaluronic acid for plumpness,
• Retinol, Peptides, Glycerin
• and never forget the SPF.

3. Consider laser hair removal.

Not having to worry about unwanted hair? Yes, please! It takes approximately 8-12 treatments for laser hair removal to work and it’s recommended to wait 4-8 weeks in between treatments. Do your research when looking into places (the earlier the better) and map out what plan works best for you.

5 MONTHS OUT

1. Don’t forget about body care.

Most of the time when we think of skincare we think facial care and neglect the other areas of our skin such as the body! That’s where a regular shower routine, comes into play. The new shower lineup should include a body wash that has salicylic acid (if you’re prone to acne) or a gentle cleanser if you have sensitive skin. Also, don’t forget to hydrate your skin after with a lotion or body oil.

2. Drink lots of water & eat your veggies.

Make sure you’re incorporating water and eating a balanced diet with fruits and vegetables in your daily routine. Healthy skin begins inside your gut, and you want to provide your skin with the nutrients to give yourself that dewy bridal glow. It is recommended to drink half your body weight in ounces a day. Sound like a lot? Our trick is to buy a fun water bottle and a food diary to keep you motivated. Pro Tip: start drinking tea (peppermint or ginger) at night, to assist with relaxation and digestion.

4 MONTHS OUT

1. Find your favorite hair mask.

Whether you’re going for a chic up-do or glam voluminous curls, you’re going to want to give your hair an extra boost. Start doing weekly hair masks to restore, hydrate and enhance your natural texture and shine. The Restorative Treatment Mask by Virtue or the Weightless Hydration Daily Scalp + Hair Mask by Kristin Ess will do the trick for the ultimate root-to-tip hydrating treatment.

2. Start dry brushing.

Dry brushing helps with circulation and detoxification throughout your body. It also clears your pores, making it easier for products to penetrate your skin and can even reduce the appearance of cellulite. Invest in a spa-like body oil and dry brush and before you hop in the shower, spend 3-5 minutes brushing upwards towards your heart to promote circulation throughout your body.

3 MONTHS OUT

1. Incorporate juice into your diet.

Skip the alcohol (I know, sigh) and try to incorporate more juice into your diet. Juicing can help boost your immune system, increase energy and decrease inflammation in your body (AKA bloating). Want a glowing skin and energy boosting recipe? Combine spinach, ginger, kale, apples, lemons, celery for a refreshing morning wake-up call.

2. Do your hair & make-up trial.

It’s important to do your hair & make-up trial at least 3 months before your big day. This will help you give feedback to your stylists and leave a stress-free wedding day. Pro-tip: Get your hair and makeup done on the same day (pre-wedding), and then wear your hair and makeup out to see how they wear throughout the day. Take lots of photos and see how everything photographs to ensure you like the way it looks for the big day.

3. Master self-tanning.

Whether you’d rather book an appointment, or use an at-home product, make sure you master what works for you. Start by testing out products and noting how many days in advance you should apply the product for your desired color. Also, whatever you use, test it to see if it bleeds onto white fabric. This will help to be an indicator on opting for a different product.

2 MONTHS OUT

1. Incoporate body scrubs and massages.

Body scrubs and massages improve circulation which helps to maintain optimal health. Use a body scrub to continue detoxing and taking care of your skin, and book regular massages to help with circulation and relaxation (because we all know we need that with all this planning). We recommend a lymphatic massage that will help reduce swelling and release the toxins within your body.

2. Do a nail practice round.

Book an appointment to practice how you want your nails (ideas here). If you don’t have a regular manicurist it’s even more important for you to test and see if you like the way they do your nails. Try and book your actual wedding day nail appointment at your trial to secure your appointment.

1 MONTH OUT

1. No more facials & don’t try anything new.

Now’s the time to stop getting facials and treatments, unless your dermatologist says otherwise. Continue your steady skincare routine but ditch the retinol at least a week before your wedding to limit irritation. Keep being consistent and continue what’s working. And keep drinking that water!

2. Hair gloss & trim.

Hit the salon for a quick refresh and shine. Add a color-enhancing hair gloss for fresh and shiny locks on the big day, while you are there also ask the hairstylist to trim any split ends. There is no room for scraggly ends at this party.

3. Final Nail Appointment.

Book your nail appointment as close to your wedding day as possible. Gel polish is a must for guaranteeing no chips or crack the day of your wedding. Indulge in this last few moments of relaxation leading up to your wedding day. Grab some of your girlfriends, stop stressing for an hour and relax.