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Pre-Wedding skin care

Your face may never be so photographed as it will on your wedding day. While you are planning your pre wedding calendar, make sure to schedule time for your face. I prefer a more natural approach, so unless you have problem skin, acne, etc…, whereby you may need a dermatologist, I think a good esthetician can do the job for you.

3 months or so before the wedding you may want to do a six week series of microdermabrasion. Microdermabrasion gets rid of the surface dead skin cells and leaves your skin clean and smooth, with a natural glow. Use an esthetician that can also do extractions if needed. A light chemical exfoliant a week before the wedding may be recommended by your esthetician to keep your make up flawless and your skin smooth and hydrated. (Depending on your skin type)
Drink lots of water too!

Besides, having beautiful, camera ready skin for your wedding, you’ll get a good education about your unique skin care that will serve you well for many years to come.

Face Don’ts…
Do not tan. I know that’s a tough one since many of us live in the land of sunshine. But a tan face looks older in a photograph. I promise you that. (sorry) Too often, brides tan and the groom’s do not, and the bride ends up looking older. Sometimes much older. ( I hate to be the one to spoil the fun) I love the sun myself and I have
damaged skin to prove it. Even a spray tan can make your face appear weathered. MAKE ~ UP ladies. I cannot stress enough the importance of GOOD/PROFESSIONAL make up on your wedding day. I’ll explain that in another post.

If a tan making your face look weathered isn’t bad enough, it also appears very shiny and even blotchy in a photograph. You may think that is what photoshop is for. But even photoshop can only do so much. Plus, you want your face to look great “live” and keep in mind your video won’t be retouched.

Keep your neck, shoulders, chest protected as well. You don’t want bathing suit straps if you have a strapless dress.

A good esthetician can make recommendations for skin products with SPF that won’t cause milia.

Through advertising directed at brides, BOTOX has gained popularity. If you are already a Botox user, schedule it far enough in advance to your wedding that you are coming to the end of it’s effectiveness. If you have never used Botox, prior to your wedding is not a good time to experiment.
I’m not picking on Botox, this goes for any kind of face injections. Injections may appear natural looking to the naked eye, but still photos capture nuances
that aren’t easily seen otherwise.

I have been going to Audrey at Zen Spa. She has not only transformed my skin care regime, she has given me a good education regarding my skin.

I used to “Salon hop”. Try different salons, just for something new, and some were quite good. So you won’t have a problem finding someone in Santa Barbara. But I believe it is probably best to find someone good and stick with them so you won’t be confused by all the different products and methods. Audrey agrees that finding one person and sticking with them is important because you may be mixing products that shouldn’t be mixed for your skin type.

Audrey suggests you schedule a consultation to interview your skin care person. She says a good esthetician will do so at no charge and you can expect to spend 15 minutes or so discussing your skin care needs. You should process their knowledge, personality, feel of the spa, cleanliness and approach as to whether they will be a good fit for you. I chose Zen Spa, because Audrey put me at ease right away. The salon is clean, relaxing, comfortable and unpretentious. Plus it’s just around the corner from my home. Love that!

So there you go. Be as naturally beautiful on the outside as you are on the inside. Eat right and smile often!

27 January 2010 | 411 | Comments

Pre-Wedding skin care

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