Your big day is done, and you’re looking forward to peeling off the layers of bridal makeup and letting your skin breathe. Finally! But the days that follow are also demanding. As the new bride, you’ll have to dress up, get to know the in-laws, greet more relatives than you can remember, have your face stuffed with mithai, and look dewy fresh while doing so. We’ve figured out how you can retain your dulhan glow while rocking the new-bahu duties. Here’s the only post wedding skin care guide you’ll need!
1. Un-makeup
After the bridal makeup comes off, it’s important to let the skin breathe for a few days. However, given all the post-wedding functions, and not to mention the meet-the-bahu sessions, the makeup (sadly) must stay on. Dr Navin Taneja, the director of the National Skin Centre, New Delhi, recommends using gentle cleansers and foundations, preferably of the non-comedogenic, oil-free variety. Read the label before you buy!
2. Pop those pills
During the wedding madness, eating well-balanced meals isn’t possible (we wish!). Add the laddoos and mithais, and your skin is probably in need of some real nutrition. Before your wedding, ask your doctor if a good multi-vitamin will help tide over the shaadi stress and keep your skin glowing from within.
3. Hydrate! Hydrate! Hydrate!
The bridal makeup, haphazard eating, and cocktails and mocktails you’re guzzling might dry your skin out – especially during winter. Hack it! Take a sip of water after every glass of soft or alcoholic drink. You might have to take frequent trips to the loo, but it’s well worth it!
4. Catch some zzz’s
Sleeping might be the last thing you want to do on your wedding night, but it’s critical that you catch your eight hours (okay, six hours, wink!) on the night after your wedding. A small sacrifice that will keep you looking wow as you enter bahu mode!
5. The jet set life
Flying off to some exotic locale for your honeymoon? The only catch is that the recycled air and controlled humidity of an air cabin can make dry skin more dry, and oily skin even more oily. Make sure you pack gentle cleansers and light moisturizers in your carry on baggage, sleep lots, and guzzle water!
6. We like to move it, move it!
While maintaining an exercise regimen at this time isn’t always possible, try and be active. If you’re at the in-laws, help out with the household work (chances are that your MIL is probably having a hard time catering to all the guests). If you’re in transit, walk around the airport and browse duty-free shops. Alone with hubby? There’s probably some other, more interesting forms of exercise you could be indulging in!
7. Rub-a-dub-dub
One of the most common complaints, according to Dr Taneja, are skin rashes and eruptions that invariably break out seven to ten days after your parlour visit, putting a real dampener on your bridal glow! “Women often get the soft skin of the back waxed, which about a week later results in rashes that extend up to the face and neck. The best thing to do is to apply lots of calamine lotion regularly once you get these sensitive areas waxed.” That goes for all sensitive areas.
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