A Big Day Beauty Countdown

 

When planning a wedding, big or small, there are usually lists of things to do. It’s important however, to build in time for your beauty plan. Having the right treatments at the right time, enables you to enjoy the maximum benefits of all the available skincare products and procedures to create a flawless wedding glow.

Leading dermatologist and co-founder of Audubon Dermatology, Dr. Deirdre Hooper, shares the secrets behind preparing for a special event.

SIX MONTHS

“There’s no magical lotion or potion to make you wedding day ready, planning ahead is the best medicine,” says Hooper. “Start with a skincare consultation at least six months before. This gives you time to decide if you need any injectables. Botox lasts between three and four months and the fillers between six months and two years, depending on the kind you are using. We also look at whether you would benefit from laser treatments or peels for acne scarring, pigmentation or to improve texture.

“It’s also important to start a professionally-directed skincare regime. You can see the results in the first month but the more time you use it, the more improvement you will see. This should include a sunscreen, topical antioxidant to protect the skin and help fade brown spots and a retinoid to help with texture, pigmentation and fine lines. We would also consider peptides and growth factors to further fade fine lines or skin lightening agents to remove stubborn brown spots.”

FOUR MONTHS

“At this point, many brides start Latisse, the first and only FDA-approved eyelash growth treatment for fuller lashes. You continue to see improvement within the first four months, so for maximum benefit start it now.

TWO-FOUR WEEKS

“By a month out, you want to have completed all your injectable and laser procedures to allow your skin time to recover. This will enable your dermatologist to deal with any further issues.

“At two weeks beforehand, you can still have a light peel, infusion microdermabrasion or light Permea laser for high definition perfection. It really helps prepare your skin for a flawless effect even in close up photographs.”

ONE WEEK TO ONE DAY

Time to tan! Start a spray tan ahead of time; it allows you to exfoliate a couple of times to achieve a really even finish and adjust the color.

Have a manicure and pedicure the day before and incorporate a paraffin wax for extra softness. Schedule a touch up, the morning of the wedding to deal with any chips.

The day before visit a steam room to plump out your skin cells and add luminosity or sleep with a humidifier in your room.

“Don’t be afraid to have a facial the day before,” says Elizabeth Percle, aesthetician at The Spa at Stone Creek. “We have event facials which will smooth and hydrate your skin to enhance your glow and prepare you for the make up application.”

Sherril Monson, owner of Skin Science, meets with clients right up to the Big Day.

“We work with brides as soon as we can to prepare them, starting with a skin and body analysis,” says Monson. “As well as lasers and injectables, we have body contouring, collagen boosting and lifting technology.

“Our CoolSculpting is a body contouring treatment which freezes stubborn fat which is then eliminated naturally by the body. Our Ultherapy is an FDA-approved procedure to lift the neck, chin and brow and many brides also enjoy our body wraps which slim, firm and tone your body. These treatments are best started three or four months in advance.”

The best medicine of all? Sleep! Try to catch eight to nine hours a night and you won’t just see the difference, you will feel it as well.

BODY BUFFING

Seventy percent of brides in the United States want to lose 20 pounds before their wedding and 91 percent want to drop a few pounds according to a study by Cornell University in New York. With all the pressure of the wedding, how do brides incorporate a new exercise regime into their already ramped-up schedule?

Starting as soon as possible is key, according to Hudson Ellis, co-owner and trainer at Simply Fit Gyms.

“Ideally, if brides to come to us six months before their wedding they will find it easier to achieve their goals,” says Ellis. “However, we can probably get them where they want to be in three but they will have to work much harder. Even if we only have six weeks, there’s still a lot we can do. With the right kind of training and a clean diet, they can safely lose a pound a week.”

If you can’t get to the gym, some trainers like Ron Morel, owner of Trainer To Go, come to you.

“Brides are so busy that it’s a weight off their minds knowing that we will come to them at a convenient time,” says Morel. “We show up and combine high intensity workouts like sprints with weights to shape muscles while burning fat.”

Erin Romney, owner and instructor at Romney Pilates Center, offers specific bride to be programs.

“Many of our brides opt for our set price, personalized, continuous coaching program,” says Romney. “We start with a body analysis and discussion about their dress and what parts of their body they would like to work on most. It might be arms and back, waist and muffin top or an all-over tone up. As well as cardio and strength classes, we will incorporate one of our Pilates modules to ensure perfect posture as she walks down the aisle.”

SUPER POWERS

If a bride’s healthy eating plan goes awry, she can still make sure her body is getting all the nutrients it needs, with the new super foods the celebs swear by.

Camu Camu is a tart Amazonian berry from Peru that is high in vitamin C, antiviral, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. It’s good for skin and gums

Elle Macpherson’s Super Elixir is a green powder supplement with alkalizing super-greens, alfalfa, spinach and wheatgrass plus beetroot, broccoli, pineapple, apple, goji berries and anti-inflammatory maitake mushrooms.

Virgin Raw Bee Panacea is Victoria Beckham’s favorite, bee pollen. It is rich in vitamins, anti-oxidants and energy enzymes, herbs, minerals and probiotics for energy and mental clarity.

Aloha’s The Daily Good is a like a dried green juice and is made from 14 fruits and vegetables.

Be sure to avoide red wine, coffee, tea and berries up to two weeks before your wedding, for whiter, less sensitive teeth.

Voilá, you are wedding day ready!

 


 

Article originally published in the Summer 2019 issue of New Orleans Bride Magazine. 

 

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