Everyone wants to look the best version of themselves on their wedding day. And why not, you have been dreaming of this day for as long as you can remember. However, it is also in the months leading to your wedding when you are stressed the most. Bad news: This shows up on your skin. Ladies, those zits are not are not just the courtesy of binge drinking. They have also got something to do with the anxiety and fatigue related to the wedding planning!
To feel beautiful inside and out, here’s a comprehensive beauty routine that you can start before the D-day.
1 Year Before The Wedding
6 Months Before
1 Month Before
One Week Before
1 Year Before The Wedding
Visit A Dermatologist
One year is enough time for you to identify your skin’s problem areas and take necessary actions. Schedule an appointment with a dermatologist and get your skin examined. If you suffer from acne or pigmentation, the dermatologist can recommend a new skincare regime for you. It can take weeks or months to permanently get rid of these problems, so one year in advance is just the right time. Starting a skincare routine early also ensures that the skin gets accustomed to the new products and does not break out right before the big day.
Visit A Dentist
Want to flaunt a picture-perfect smile in your wedding album? We suggest visiting a dentist a year in advance for any fix-up that may be needed. If your doctor prescribes a cosmetic treatment, you may have to wear orthodontic aligners for months. Start on-time so that the brackets are off by the time your pre-wedding festivities begin.
Start A Fitness Regime
All the parties and night outs with friends in the months leading to the wedding can make you put on weight. Now is the time to start a fitness regime to not just get rid of the extra kilos but regular exercise also keeps you looking fresh and active and does wonders to your skin. Whether it is a gym membership, yoga sessions or regular jogs in the park, take up any activity that you like wholeheartedly.
Start with writing down your goals, or the areas you want to target. Also, keep a month-on-month track of your progress. This will encourage you to work harder! There are several apps available these days that can help you start your workout routine right at home.
POPxo Recommends: Aaptiv to start a comprehensive fitness routine at home.
6 Months Before The Wedding
Follow A CTM Routine
Bride or not, no skincare regime is complete without a proper CTM routine in place. CTM stands for cleansing, toning, moisturising. We also add an “S” to this- for serum.
Start with removing your makeup with an oil-based cleanser. For deep cleansing, follow this with a foam cleanser. Double cleansing ensures removal of dirt, grime, or oil that was missed by the oil cleanser. Follow with a non-alcoholic toner or just use rosewater. This closes all the pores which would otherwise attract dirt and cause pimples and acne.
After toning, comes serum. We recommend a serum that has vitamin C in it. The antioxidants in it will fight free radicals and give you glowing skin. Finish it up with a moisturizer to lock the moisture in your skin and keep it hydrated. Bye-bye dry and flaky skin!
POPxo Recommends: Dr. Sheth’s Basic Brightening Cleanser, Plum Green Tea Toner, St . Botanica Vitamin C Serum, Clinique Moisture Surge
Start Exfoliation
Exfoliation helps you get rid of dead skin and blackheads. If you have never exfoliated your face, start with once a week and slowly advance it to twice a week. Wash your face with a cleanser and then rub a mild scrub on it. If you have oily skin, try this oatmeal scrub at home:
- 1 tablespoon whole milk
- 2 tablespoon oatmeal
- Few drops of olive oil
- Few drops of rose water
Add olive oil and whole milk to the oatmeal. Let the mixture rest until the oats soften. Now add rose water and mix well. Rub the mixture on your face and gently massage for two to three minutes. Rinse with cold water and immediately follow with a moisturising lotion.
This brown sugar scrub works best for anyone with dry skin.
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
Mix everything and massage on your face for a couple of minutes. Wash your face with warm water and finally rinse with cold water to close the pores.
Also Read Beauty Tips You Need To Follow 1 Month Before Your Wedding Day
Get Regular Facials
Six months prior to the wedding, schedule a facial for each month at a trusted parlour. You can also get a facial done at home if you don’t really want to splurge. Here’s a step-by-step tutorial:
Step 1: Cleansing
Start with double cleansing- cleansing milk followed by a foam-based cleanser to remove traces of oil and the cleanser. Pat your face dry.
Step 2: Exfoliating
Take a pea-sized amount of a scrub that best suits your skin and gently rub on your face in an upward direction. Rinse with cold water.
Step 3: Steam
Take a bowl of hot water and lean over it while covering your head with a towel or blanket to prevent the steam from escaping. You can also add a few drops of essential oil to this water. Let the steam (with the goodness of the oil) seep into your skin for around 5-10 minutes. Steam will open clogged pores. Splash ice-cold water on your face to close the pores or simply rub a cube of ice wrapped in a piece of cloth all over your face. Pat your face dry.
Step 4: Face Mask
Make a DIY mask that best suits your skin and let it dry for a few minutes. Wash with cold water. Here are a few homemade face masks for different skin types:
Oily Skin
- 1 tablespoon multani mitti
- 1 tablespoon honey
Mix both and apply on your face. When it dries, wash with cold water.
Dry Skin
- ½ mashed banana
- 1 tablespoon honey
Mix the banana and the honey and apply on your face. Wash when dry.
Normal/Combination Skin
- 1 tablespoon besan
- 1 teaspoon curd
- Few drops of rose water
Mix everything and apply on your face. Let it sit for 15 minutes. Wash with cold water when it dries.
Step 5: Toning
The toner will close your pores and help remove the residual dirt. Apply it on your face with the help of cotton.
Step 6: Moisturise
When the toner dries, apply a moisturiser on your face in an upward circular motion.
Pamper Your Skin With Face Masks
A great face mask will clean the pores and bring instant glow. Identify your skin type and stick to a mask that suits your skin. Here are a few masks you can make at home:
What You Need:
- 1 tablespoon multani mitti
- One tablespoon lemon juice
Mix the two ingredients and apply on your face and neck. Leave it on till it dries. Remove the mask with rose water. Follow with a moisturiser.
What You Need:
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 teaspoon curd
- 1 teaspoon rosewater
Apply on your face and neck and wash with slightly warm water when dry.
What You Need:
- 1 tablespoon aloe vera juice
- 1 tablespoon tomato
- ½ tablespoon lemon juice
Mix everything and apply on your face and neck. Leave for 15 minutes and then wash with normal water.
Massage Your Face
Your face also holds tension and stress like your shoulders and back. Face massages release this tension by improving blood circulation and eventually brighten and firm the skin. Face massages also remove toxins and puffiness from the skin. You don’t need to visit a spa for a rejuvenating face massage, you can do it right at home with this simple technique.
After cleansing and toning the skin, take a good quantity of moisturising cream (or oil if you don’t mind the stickiness) and rub it on your face – in a circular motion. Start from the chin and work up towards the nose and out. Cover the temples and the cheeks too. Be extra careful around the eyes- work inwards from the outer corner of your eyes.
Facial massage, when done right, will promote lymphatic drainage and allow skin care products to penetrate deep inside the skin.
Start Applying Sunscreen
It is never too early or too late to start using sunscreen. All the market hopping in the sun (and the poolside bachelorette) can do some serious damage to your skin that can be repaired only with SPF. Apart from protecting your skin from the harmful rays of the sun, sunscreen also enhances skin health in the long run.
Make sure you apply sunscreen every day regardless of whether you are stepping out in the sun or not. If you are planning to stay outdoors for a long period of time, re-apply the sunscreen every two hours.
POPxo Recommends: Innisfree Daily UV Protection
Pay Attention To Your Eyes
For the perfect eyebrows and eyelashes use castor oil. Castor oil is rich in vitamin E that enhances the growth of eyelashes and eyebrows.
Clean your face with a cleanser before going to bed. Next, brush your eyelashes and eyebrows with a mascara brush. Now dip the brush in castor oil and run on your eyebrows and eyelashes. Wash in the morning. You can also add a few drops of olive oil to this for additional benefits.
Stress and the lack of sleep can make your eyes look tired and puffy. The best thing you can do to your eyes is having a good night’s sleep. Get 7-8 hours of beauty sleep every day religiously. You can also try these natural remedies to get rid of the puffiness and dark circles:
Slice a raw potato and place the pieces on your eyes. Let them rest for 15-20 minutes. Was with cold water later. Follow the same procedure with sliced cucumbers, cotton pad dipped in cold milk or chilled green tea bags.
Adopt A Hair Care Routine
Regular Trims
Start getting regular trims (once in every two months) at a trusted salon at least 6 months prior to the wedding. Trimming will help you get rid of the split ends and dry and damaged hair. Also, no split ends mean that your hair is less prone to breakage and flyaways.
Hair Spa
Book a hair spa session at a great salon or do it at home like mentioned below:
Step 1: Heat coconut oil in a bowl. Massage the warm oil gently on your hair and scalp. This increases blood circulation in the scalp and enhances hair growth.
Step 2: Cover the hair with a shower cap or a towel dipped in hot water for the oil to penetrate deep inside the scalp. Leave the shower cap/towel on your head for 10 minutes.
Step 3: One hour after oiling your hair, wash it with a mild shampoo. Use only cold water to wash your hair. Hot water can take away moisture, making it look dull and dry.
Step 4: Apply a conditioner on rinsed hair and leave it for 15 minutes. Wash with cold water again.
Step 5: Let your hair dry naturally and follow with a hair mask. Here’s how to make a hair mask at home:
- 1 mashed banana (or two egg yolks)
- 1 tablespoon curd
- 1 teaspoon honey
- Juice of half lemon
Blend everything into a smooth paste. Apply on your hair and scalp. Let the mask sit on your hair for an hour. Rinse with shampoo. Do this once every month for soft and shiny hair.
Hands And Feet
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do salon-like manicure and pedicure at home:
Use a nail polish remover to remove your nail paint. Take warm water in a tub and add half a tablespoon of your favourite shampoo or body wash. You can also add a few drops of essential oil to this. Soak your hands/feet in the tub for 10-15 minutes. With the help of a nail brush, clean the area around your nails and toes and use a hand/feet scrub to exfoliate the area.
Push your cuticles back with a cuticle pusher and trim your nails to the desired length. Next, file your nails from one side to the centre. Repeat from both sides. Massage a moisturising lotion or coconut oil on your hands and feet. Apply a nail colour of your choice.
Body And Soul
Dry Body Brush
Dry brushing your body is a humble way to not only remove cellulite but also ensure the overall health of your skin. It exfoliates dead skin cells and makes it easier for the skin to absorb the benefits of different skin care products. Here’s how to do it right:
Start from your feet and move upwards to your legs, stomach, chest, and arms. Experts suggest brushing towards the heart to improve circulation and lymphatic drainage. Repeat this thrice a week for at least three minutes.
POPxo Recommends: Vega Bristle Bath Brush
Body Polishing
This relaxing and rejuvenating experience improves blood circulation, making skin soft and supple. Good news: this can be done at home. Here’s how:
Shower with slightly warm water and then pat your skin dry. Now massage lukewarm olive oil in a bowl on your body in circular motion. Next, take somebody polish cream on a loofah and massage it on your body for 10 minutes. Use a pumice stone to scrub the knees, elbows and heels. Take a shower again.
Wondering how to make an all-natural body polish? It’s easy! Mix 1 cup brown sugar, ½ cup honey, 2 tablespoon jojoba oil in a bowl and the perfect chemical-free body polish is ready.
Start Meditation
No matter how hard you try, with all the stress associated with the wedding planning, issues like blood pressure, weight loss/gain, fatigue and anxiety are bound to trouble you. Meditation will help you relax by instilling mindfulness. Make it a habit to meditate every day. The best time is early morning, right after working out.
There are several apps available on Android and iOS that give step-by-step instructions on meditating the right way.
POPxo Recommends: Omvana
DIET
What you eat during this time will largely decide how you look. A body that is healthy on the inside, shows on the outside too. Here’s a perfect diet chart for all the brides-to-be to follow:
Start your day with a glass of warm water. Add the juice of half a lemon and half teaspoon honey to this. Lemon water detoxifies your body and improves metabolism.
8:00 am: Have a hearty breakfast. Consider these options:
- 2 idlis with sambar
- 1 fresh sandwich
- 1 stuffed paratha with curd
- Poha/upma/uttapam
11:00 am: Your mid-morning snack should include one of the following- one glass chaach/one glass coconut water/one seasonal fruit.
2:00 pm: Keep your lunch light but healthy. Ideally, it should consist of two chapatis, one bowl of veggies, one bowl dal, salad, and curd.
5:00 pm: Your body starts losing energy by this time. An afternoon snack of a handful of peanuts/almonds/makhanas, one bowl sprout salad, or any seasonal fruit will prevent you from overeating at night.
8:00 pm: Eat your dinner as early as possible. Two chapatis, one bowl veggies, one bowl dal, and salad make the perfect dinner.
11:00 pm: In case you stay up late, drink a glass of milk to avoid hogging on junk food later at night.
One Month Before The Wedding
Teeth Whitening
Schedule an appointment with the dentist to get rid of staining. Teeth whitening strips are also available in the market but we suggest a professional treatment for better results. Apart from brushing twice daily and flossing regularly, we suggest avoiding alcohol and anything with caffeine in it to make your teeth look sparkling white on your wedding day.
Hair Colour
This is the best time to get your hair dyed. One month is enough time for the colour to settle in your hair and still look fresh. Also, you have time to make changes in case you aren’t perfectly happy with the colour.
One Week Before The Wedding
Now that the D-day is almost here, relax and get your beauty routine in place. Go for a full body wax, get your eyebrows shaped and your hair colour retouched if needed. Drink lots of water, eat healthy, meditate and just let the good vibes flow in.
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